National Motor Freight Classification
The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) is the industry standard, maintained by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), that assigns commodities an item number and a freight class used to price LTL shipments.
Why it matters for ecommerce brands
Your NMFC class sets your LTL price, so an incorrect item or class on the bill of lading leads to reclassification fees. Docket 2025-1, effective July 19, 2025, moved most commodities to a 13-tier density scale, so class now depends mainly on pounds per cubic foot. For example, a 48 by 40 by 50 inch pallet weighing 500 pounds is about 9 pounds per cubic foot and falls in a lower, cheaper class than the same pallet at 250 pounds. Measure every handling unit before you request quotes.
Origin
The NMFTA, founded in 1956, publishes the National Motor Freight Classification for LTL carriers and in July 2025 shifted many items to density-based classes under Docket 2025-1.
Common questions
- How did NMFC classification change in 2025?
- Docket 2025-1, effective July 19, 2025, reclassified most commodities by density using a 13-tier scale instead of commodity-specific class rules. Shippers should re-measure freight and confirm item numbers, because classes for many products changed.
- How do you calculate freight density?
- Multiply length, width, and height in inches, divide by 1,728 to get cubic feet, then divide the weight in pounds by that number. The result in pounds per cubic foot maps to a class on the density scale.
- Who maintains the NMFC?
- The National Motor Freight Traffic Association, a nonprofit made up of motor carriers, maintains it and changes it through periodic dockets. Shippers can look up items and classes through NMFTA's paid ClassIT service.