NMFC Changes Impacting Freight Class Groups

Key Sections:

• Update March 2025
• Key Commodities Impacted
• Update December 2024

Update March 2025

The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) had their March 3, 2025 meeting to approve the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) changes for the July 19, 2025 roll out. 

Here is what is changing on July 19, 2025 with NMFC Freight Classes:

• Expanding the full 11 density scale to 13 classes.
  • Adding classes 50 and 55 to the 11 class scales.
• Moving the following commodities that do not have handling, stowability or liability issues to the 13-sub density scale:
  • Single class items
  • All items with modified density breaks
  • Sub-provision items with multiple classes 

How to determine if your product will move to density scale classification?

For those commodities new to density-based scales, here’s how it will work (this includes many commodities that are single class items currently that will be moving to the 13 class scale or commodities that were 11 class scale that will have additional classes added).

Step 1: Determine if your code will be impacted on July 19, 2025.

There are 2000+ codes that will be impacted as part of this change. Please reach out to your transportation partners to determine if your commodity will be moved to the full density based scale. Of note, ClassIT, a common platform used to determine class, will not be updated until July 19, 2025, so the updated class will not be reflected in ClassIT until that date. If your class is impacted, proceed to step 2. For now, you can check the NMFTA site to see the list of the new classes here.

Step 2: Calculate density.

To calculate density for LTL shipments, you take the (length * width * height)/1728 to get the cubic ft. Then divide the weight by cubic feet =  density of the shipment.

Step 3: Determine the new freight class

Based on your code + your density, then you can determine what your new freight class will be modified to.

Look at your code to determine if it will be impacted moving to a full density scale. Whatever the density of the shipment is based on the code will determine your freight class.

How to prepare if your product will move to density scale classification?

One of our biggest recommendations is to be able to calculate your density in advance to avoid surprises in fees. This may mean having to invest in a scale, dimensionizer or have someone on the dock measuring product before it goes out. Many shippers are used to writing the Freight Class on the Bill of Lading, but without this density information you could be subject to additional charges after the fact.

We are here to help.

If you have any questions, please fill out the form and select LTL to see how we can help you understand if your commodity will be impacted.

Below is a list of impacted categories and industries.

Metals & Alloys

• Alloys
• Aluminum
• Brass, Bronze, or Copper
• Carbon
• Sheet Steel Articles
• Tin
• Zinc or Zinc Alloys

Building & Construction Materials

• Brick Group
• Building Materials, Miscellaneous
• Building Metalwork
• Building Woodwork
• Cement
• Conduits (Other than Earthen)
• Insulation or Insulating Materials
• Lumber
• Gravel or Stone
• Gypsum or Gypsum Products

Automotive & Transportation

• Automobile Parts
• Carriers, Shipping
• Vehicles, Other than Self-Propelled
• Vehicles, Motor
• Vehicle Parts

Industrial & Machinery

• Boilers, Furnaces, Stoves & Related Articles
• Electrical Equipment
• Hardware
• Machinery
• Meters or Parts Named
• Tools or Parts Named

Household & Furniture

• Furniture
• Household Utensils
• Lamps or Lighting
• Fireplaces or Fireplace Accessories

Clothing & Textiles

• Cloth, Fabric, Dry Goods, or Textiles
• Clothing
• Hats or Millinery
• Forms (Clothing Display or Dress Fitting)
• Thread

Chemicals & Industrial Materials

• Chemicals
• Grease
• Inks & Related Materials
• Oils (Other than Petroleum)
• Paints
• Petroleum Products
• Pesticides
• Plastics or Rubber Articles

Food & Agriculture

• Bee Group
• Blacks, Dry
• Edible Nuts
• Feed
• Foodstuffs
• Fruits or Vegetables, Dried
• Fruits or Vegetables, Fresh or Green
• Meats or Shortening
• Seeds
• Tobacco (Manufactured & Unmanufactured)

Medical & Scientific Supplies

• Dental, Hospital, Medical, or Surgical Supply
• Drugs, Medicines, Toilet Preparations, or Personal Care Products
• Drawing Instruments, Optical Goods, or Scientific Instruments

Packaging & Containers

• Bags
• Boxes
• Packing Materials
• Pads, Padding, & Related Articles

Paper & Printing

• Paper Articles
• Printed Matter
• Printers’ Equipment
• Post Office Equipment
• Recording Media

Recreation & Arts

• Artists’ or Crafters’ Materials or Supplies
• Athletic Goods
• Camera Equipment
• Games or Toys
• Musical Instruments or Parts Named
• Models

Miscellaneous

• Decorations
• Covers
• Hats or Millinery
• Harness or Saddlery
• Racks
• Reels
• Shells
• Springs
• Stands
• Trunks, Traveling Bags, or Related Articles
• Waste Materials
• Wax
• Wire Goods
• Woodenware or Wooden Articles

Update December 2024

The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) is again planning significant updates to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) in 2025.

Timeline of changes:

• January 30, 2025: The official docket with changes was released by the NMFTA. If you need to file a request to the proposal, file it directly with the NMFTA.
• March 3, 2025: The NMFTA committee will meet, review proposals, and release a final docket.
• July 15, 2025: Class IT updates launch.
• July 19, 2025: The changes will be implemented by the NMFTA and will immediately go into effect.

What is NMFC?

• NMFC stands for National Motor Freight Classification. For less-than-truckload shipping, it is the rules, procedures and documents for LTL shipments.

The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) has announced upcoming changes to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) that will come into effect on August 3rd, 2024.

These changes are set to impact several freight class groups, leading to adjustments in how various goods are categorized and classified for shipping purposes.

Groups Affected by the NMFC Class Changes:

• Agricultural Implements, Other than Hand Group
• Automobile Parts Group
• Boat Group
• Box Group
• Building Group
• Building Materials, Miscellaneous, Group
• Carriers, Shipping Group
• Chemicals Group
• Cloth, Fabric, Dry Goods or Textiles Group
• Conduits, Earthen Group
• Filters Group
• Floor or Wall Coverings and Related Articles Group
• Foodstuffs Group
• Hardware Group
• Machinery Group

Carriers, shippers and logistics professionals operating in these industries should take note of these upcoming changes to ensure compliance with the revised NMFC classifications.

In 2025, there will be additional impactful changes to NMFCs. The NMFTA is hosting learning sessions to help you better understand the impact. For more information and updates on the NFMC changes, visit NMFTA’s website.

If you have questions about how this may impact your LTL shipping, contact us.