How to Fill Out a Uniform Straight Bill of Lading (BOL) & Calculate NMFC Freight Density Class (PCF)
By SuiteCrate Freight, 3PL & LTL Shipping Team • Published • Updated for 2026 IRS & US Small Business Rules
If your warehouse or manufacturing shop ships palletized freight via US Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) carriers like Estes Express, Old Dominion (ODFL), XPO, R+L Carriers, Saia, or FedEx Freight, guessing your freight class on a paper Bill of Lading is an expensive mistake. Today, almost every US LTL terminal passes your pallets through overhead laser dimensioners and certified forklift scales. If your declared pallet dimensions or weight are off by even a few inches—pushing your density from 12.2 PCF (Class 85) down to 11.6 PCF (Class 92.5)—the carrier will hit your invoice with a $150 to $350 Re-Class & Re-Weigh Penalty.
In this 2026 shipping dock guide, you will learn how to generate a compliant US Uniform Straight Bill of Lading (BOL), why signing the Section 7 Non-Recourse Clause is essential on Collect and 3rd-Party shipments, and how to calculate exact Pounds Per Cubic Foot (PCF) and NMFC Freight Class (`Class 50` to `Class 500`) before the driver backs up to your dock.
1. Generate a Uniform Straight Bill of Lading (BOL) & Auto-Calculate Freight Class Right Here
Use our live Uniform Straight Bill of Lading (BOL) & NMFC Freight Density Generator (`T17`) below. Enter your pallet `L × W × H (inches)` and gross weight (including the 40–50 lb wood pallet!) to compute exact PCF density, suggested NMFC Class, and a 3-copy printable BOL PDF:
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2. Official 2026 NMFC LTL Freight Density (PCF) to Freight Class Table
Under the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) modernization rules, density-based commodities are assigned one of 18 Freight Classes (from Class 50 lowest cost to Class 500 highest cost) based on two formulas: Cubic Feet = (L" × W" × H") ÷ 1,728 and Density (PCF) = Gross Pallet Weight (lbs) ÷ Cubic Feet:
| Density Range (Lbs per Cubic Foot — PCF) | NMFC Freight Class | Typical US Pallet Commodity Examples | Dock Dimensioning Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50.0+ lbs / cu ft (35.0 – 49.9 PCF = Class 55) |
Class 50 / Class 55 | Steel nuts/bolts, heavy castings, bagged cement, brick, dense metal plates | Always include the 48"×40" wood skid weight (~45 lbs) in total gross weight |
| 15.0 to 29.9 lbs / cu ft (22.5–30 = Cl 65 | 15–22.5 = Cl 70) |
Class 60 / 65 / 70 | Bottled beverages, canned food cases, auto engines, boxed electric motors, tile | Measure to the outermost bulge of shrink-wrap; overhang adds cubic volume! |
| 9.0 to 14.9 lbs / cu ft (12–15 = Cl 85 | 10.5–12 = Cl 92.5 | 9–10.5 = Cl 100) |
Class 85 / 92.5 / 100 | Commercial kitchen equipment, boxed power tools, wine cases, pumps, general consumer goods | If you do not stack pallets, check whether your carrier tariff forces a 72-inch or 96-inch vertical cube rule |
| 4.0 to 8.9 lbs / cu ft (8–9 = Cl 110 | 7–8 = Cl 125 | 6–7 = Cl 150 | 4–6 = Cl 175/200) |
Class 110 to Class 200 | Assembled cabinets, HVAC ductwork, apparel cartons, upholstered furniture | Attach a vibrant "DO NOT DOUBLE STACK" pyramid cone only if paying for non-stackable space |
| Under 4.0 lbs / cu ft (Down to < 1.0 PCF = Class 500) |
Class 250 / 300 / 400 / 500 | Ping-pong balls, kayaks, fiberglass bumpers, expanded foam packaging | Negotiate a FAK (Freight All Kinds) exception (e.g., FAK Class 85) with your 3PL or carrier rep! |
3. Why You Must Sign "Section 7 Non-Recourse" on Collect & 3rd-Party BOLs
When your customer arranges their own freight or asks you to ship "Freight Collect", a dangerous legal trap lurks on the standard BOL: if the consignee (buyer) or their 3rd-party freight broker goes bankrupt or refuses to pay the carrier's invoice 90 days later, federal transportation law allows the carrier to come back and sue you (the Shipper/Consignor) for the unpaid freight charges—unless you signed the Section 7 Non-Recourse Clause on the face of the Bill of Lading before the driver departed!
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❓ Key Questions Answered in This Guide
How do you calculate LTL Freight Density (PCF) for a pallet?
First, measure the pallet's total Length, Width, and Height in inches (including the wooden pallet height) and multiply (L x W x H) ÷ 1,728 to get total Cubic Feet. Second, divide the total Gross Weight of the pallet (cargo weight + ~45 lb wood skid weight) by the Cubic Feet to get Pounds per Cubic Foot (PCF).
What is the Section 7 Non-Recourse Clause on a Uniform Straight Bill of Lading?
Section 7 of the Uniform Straight Bill of Lading states that if the shipment is marked "Collect" (or billed to a 3rd party) and the Shipper signs the Section 7 box, the carrier must collect freight charges from the Consignee before delivering the goods and waives legal recourse to collect unpaid freight charges from the Shipper.
How many copies of a Bill of Lading should I print at the shipping dock?
Standard US shipping dock procedure requires printing 3 copies of the Straight Bill of Lading: Copy 1 (Shipper's Original signed by the driver at pickup for proof of tender), Copy 2 (Carrier's Shipping Order that travels with the driver), and Copy 3 (Consignee Memorandum attached to the lead pallet).
What is an FAK (Freight All Kinds) rating in LTL shipping?
An FAK (Freight All Kinds) is a negotiated pricing agreement between a shipper/3PL and an LTL carrier that groups multiple commodities (for example, Class 70 through Class 150) into a single flat billing class (such as FAK 85), protecting the shipper from costly re-classification fees.