NMFC Class 85 — Furniture
Tables and desks ship at freight class 85–100 depending on material. Solid wood tables are denser and may qualify for class 70 or 85.
Typical class: 85 · Density: 12–20 lbs/cu ft
Shipment Dimensions (inches)
| Class | Density (lbs/cu ft) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50+ | Heaviest, most dense freight |
| 55 | 35–50 | Very dense freight |
| 60 | 30–35 | Dense freight |
| 65 | 22.5–30 | Moderately dense |
| 70 | 15–22.5 | Average density |
| 77.5 | 13.5–15 | Slightly below average |
| 85 | 12–13.5 | Below average density |
| 92.5 | 10.5–12 | Light freight |
| 100 | 9–10.5 | Light freight |
| 110 | 8–9 | Light, bulky freight |
| 125 | 7–8 | Bulky freight |
| 150 | 6–7 | Very bulky freight |
| 175 | 5–6 | Very light, bulky |
| 200 | 4–5 | Extremely light |
| 250 | 3–4 | Extremely light, high value |
| 300 | 2–3 | Low density, high handling |
| 400 | 1–2 | Very low density |
| 500 | 0–1 | Lowest density, highest cost |
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NMFC Class 85 — packaging, handling, and freight class details
Tables and desks span a wide range of materials — particleboard office desks, solid oak dining tables, glass conference tables, and steel-framed industrial workbenches — and each requires a different approach to freight. The category moves in high volumes through office furniture distributors, home furnishings retailers, and restaurant supply channels. A mid-size office fitout might ship 40–60 desks on a single load.
Material density drives freight class more than any other factor here. A particleboard desk with MDF top weighs roughly 70–90 lbs and measures 5–6 cubic feet assembled, putting it at 12–15 lbs/cuft and Class 85. A solid hardwood farmhouse dining table at 200 lbs in 8 cubic feet hits 25 lbs/cuft and qualifies for Class 60 or 65. Knowing the material before calculating class matters significantly.
Disassembly is the most important practical consideration. Desk legs, table bases, and extension leaves should always be removed and bundled separately to minimize cube usage and protect protruding hardware. Glass tabletops require custom crating with corner blocks and foam padding — they should never travel in a standard cardboard box without interior structure. Mark these shipments fragile and position them against the trailer wall with no freight stacked on top.
Dry van handles most table freight. Flatbed is occasionally used for stone or concrete-top tables destined for construction sites, but the norm is enclosed. Carriers should watch for surface finish damage — even minor scuffs generate claims because tables are high-visibility items. Pay attention to delivery instructions: most residential and retail deliveries for tables require inside delivery, which takes significantly more time than a dock drop.
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