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    • NMFTA Resource Page: A Guide to 2025 NMFC Changes


    NMFC REMINDER: Effective Date - July 19, 2025What You Need To Know About the Upcoming NMFC Changes

    The proposed NMFTA Classification Changes are designed to simplify the classification process, enhance user experience, and increase efficiency. Find more information and resources regarding the upcoming changes below.

    What is the NMFTA?

    The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) is the organization responsible for maintaining and regulating the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC), which standardizes the classification of freight. These classifications are crucial in LTL shipping because they help identify the commodities being transported, calculate freight rates, determine carrier pricing models, and ensure consistency across the industry.

    Every Commodity Is Assigned A Freight Class Based on Four Primary Characteristics: Density | Handling | Stowability | Liability


    Shippers must classify their freight accurately to obtain the correct freight rate and avoid errors that can cause clerical fees, chargebacks, and shipment delays. With the upcoming changes to the NMFC system, businesses should prepare to reassess the classifications of the commodities they ship.

    What are the changes the NMFTA is making to freight classification?

    The 2025 NMFC update is a major revision aimed at modernizing the freight classification system. Starting July 19, 2025, select classifications will shift from commodity-based to density-based, simplifying the process and providing more consistency.

    Density-based classifications consider a shipment’s weight and dimensions, determining its class by density measured in pounds per cubic foot. 

    Key NMFC Changes Include: Standardized Density Scale A new 13-tier density scale replaces the 11-tier system, introducing classes 50 and 55, which may lower rates for heavier shipments. Simplified Commodity Listings Approximately 2,000 commodity listings are consolidated into single items, reducing the number of classifications and making it easier to find appropriate ones. There is anticipation that more NMFC amendments will be released in 2025. New Special Handling Identifiers Distinctive flags will identify freight requiring special handling, unique stow ability, or additional liability precautions. This will help to enhance transparency between shippers and carriers, so all parties are aware of any unique freight characteristics in the beginning. Updated Compliance Requirements Shippers are advised to review and update their shipping documentation due to these classification adjustments. Failure to comply with the new NMFC items and sub provisions may result in changes to freight rates, clerical fees, and operational processes. ClassIT+ Tool: Introducing the new ClassIT+ tool, and its enhanced features, which will replace the current ClassIT tool.

    Are You Ready for Density Based Pricing?NMFTA Classification Changes - Webinar

    1. Find out if your LTL freight items are changing. Use the free NMFC Item Lookup Tool to check if your freight item numbers are impacted.

    2. Watch PITT OHIO’s Webinar, How Shippers Can Stay Ahead of the Upcoming NMFTA Classification Changes, which includes practical recommendations from technology provider (Cubiscan), direct shipper (Webstaurant), and LTL industry executives (PITT OHIO).

    How to Prepare for Density-Based Pricing

    Additional Resources