The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), which oversees the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC), has revised the freight classification system. The Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) industry now uses a density-based scale for classifying freight, replacing previous methods. These changes took effect on July 19th, 2025, following the release of the initial docket by the NMFC. Below outlines the main differences between the previous and current systems, and everything else you need to know about the big changes that happened and are still coming later in the year.

Overview of the Previous System
Historically, items were classified based on these four characteristics:
• Density – the weight of the freight relative to its size
• Handling – whether special equipment is required for transport
• Storability – specific storage requirements for a package
• Liability – coverage for items with particular risk due to fragility, theft potential, or high value
From the old system, there were multiple ways to classify a product from single class items to density subclassification scales. The old system created a lot of ambiguity and administrative problems with differing ways to classify freight. There were thousands of commodity codes on the NMFC database to choose from for these classifications. It led to inaccuracies on bills of lading with several unanticipated fees including but not limited to delays and reclassification.

Changes/Updates Outlined in Initial Docket
The four categories of how an item is rated are still in place, but the way in which they are used is changing. For this first update, when an item has no concern for storability, handling, and liability, the new density scale comes into play. The new density scale classification system provides for a more accurate and streamlined way for all LTL carries, shippers, and brokers to standardize an item that is primarily density based. The changes updated and consolidated nearly 2,000 commodity item codes into 13 new sub-class classifications on a full density-based scale from the old 11-class density scale.

New 13 Sub-class Classification Scale

The NMFC eliminated numerous outdated and repeat codes for similar items. The new sub-class classifications allow for items to be classified by density, which allows for more standardized freight classes and better pricing. This change will facilitate the handling of numerous commonly shipped goods and enhance the efficiency and clarity of their classification processes.
Along with that, they have also updated their ClassIT databases and released ClassIT+ to allow all parties to easily track and classify items within their own TMS or ERP systems. The new ClassIT+ tool will have TMS/ERP integration with new APIs, which makes it easy for all to use within their own systems. The NMFC also announced that flags have been added to identify items and freight that do require additional support such as special handling, storability concerns within the trailer, or liability of the item itself.

What’s next?
The big change to items being primarily classified by density will have a big impact on shippers and carriers. It makes for much more clarity between all parties involved in the shipping process. There will be two more dockets released later in the year (the second docket should be coming in late August 2025), highlighting and establishing guidelines that will outline further commodity and code changes and simplifications.
The full docket and relevant information can be found on the NMFC website.
 
—Nick O’Conner, St. Onge Company