“Complex and outdated.” That’s how the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™ describes the current National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC)® for less-than-truckload (LTL) freight. As a result, major changes are on the horizon — and carriers, shippers, and third-party logistics providers (3PLs) are being urged to be well-prepared for the July 19 deadline.
Though challenges may be ahead, the good news is NMFC is also rolling out a new tool to help deal with them more effectively.
Changes to the NMFC
In an effort to provide more clarity to a “confusing” NMFC, NMFTA says the changes being made will help “streamline” the LTL freight classification process.
The organization says there are several foundational goals within this “reimagination”:
- Simplify the NMFC: “We’ll use a standardized approach based on density, handling, stowability, and liability.”
- Enhance user experience: “The NMFC will be easier to use and understand.”
- Increase efficiency: “Classifying freight will be more accurate on the first try.”
NMFTA says implementation will take place in phases, with the first round of changes coming in Docket 2025-1.
Here’s a bird’s eye view summary:
- “Standardized density scale for LTL freight with no handling, stowability, and liability issues.”
- “Unique identifiers for freight with special handling, stowability, or liability needs.”
- “Condensed and modernized commodity listings.”
- “Improved usability of the ClassIT classification tool.”
How stakeholders will be impacted
NMFTA says the impact of the new changes will depend upon the stakeholder’s role in the LTL industry:
- Carriers: “The classification process will be simplified, but you’ll need to identify freight density.”
- 3PLs: “Preparing LTL shipments will change, and new information will be required.”
- Shippers: “Identifying your freight class will be easier, but you may need to provide handling unit dimensions and weight.”
“The NMFC Docket 2025-1 Disposition has been released and contains significant changes to the NMFC,” NMFTA says. “As an LTL industry professional, it is essential you prepare for these changes by the go-live date: July 19, 2025. Incorrectly classifying freight with incorrect NMFC classification codes can result in higher costs to you and your business.”
For more information, the organization provides the following resources:
How the new ClassIT+ tool will help
According to a recent NMFTA post, the “best” way organizations can prepare for the upcoming changes is to update their data using the new ClassIT+™ API.
“With a historic number of changes on the horizon, relying on outdated data won’t get you very far,” writes Sara Cottrell.
NMFTA debuted its ClassIT+ offering at its annual Spring Meeting in early March.
“Misclassified freight continues to create significant financial strain in the transportation industry, leading to costly rate disputes and disrupting supply chains,” NMFTA said in the announcement. “To address these challenges, NMFTA will launch ClassIT+, the industry’s first and only online LTL freight classification tool, on July 15, 2025.”
The organization says the new tool will provide NMFC users — carriers, shippers, and 3PLs — with “real-time data, advanced search functionalities, and collaborative tools that will improve productivity and streamline the movement of goods.”
Class It+ benefits for NMFC users
Cottrell lists an array of benefits for carriers, shippers, and 3PLs who adopt the new tool.
For carriers, she says upgrading to the new ClassIT+ API will make it possible to “leverage the upcoming NMFC Data changes, reducing the headache of reclassification disputes and chargebacks through accurate, automated classifications.”
Shippers can “ensure accurate pricing and compliance, eliminating guesswork and helping avoid overpaying on freight,” Cottrell writes.
And she says 3PLs will be able to “accelerate the quoting process, which will enhance efficiencies and optimize your freight management processes.”
In a recent article for Trucking Dive, Colin Campbell cites an exchange between the outlet and NMFTA COO Joe Ohr and Director of Product Holly Taylor about the new tool, describing five key benefits it will provide:
- Better user interface: “Perhaps the most noticeable difference from the previous ClassIT tool is an improved user interface: It doesn’t require shippers, carriers or 3PLs to have a classification expert on standby to navigate it,” Ohr told the outlet.
- Improved search performance: “The current ClassIT tool is far slower than the upgraded version and doesn’t offer auto-fill suggestions based on search history the way many search engines do today,” Taylor explained, noting that Class IT+ “addresses both issues.”
- Email and in-system alerts: Since there will be more changes ahead for carriers and shippers, the Class IT+ platform allows users to “sign up for notifications about changes affecting the goods they frequently ship — either by email or in the new system.”
- API connectivity and security: “As you look at the industry, a lot of people are going towards APIs,” Ohr said. “… The APIs that are coming out are really going to not only support classification, but it’s going to support integration within the back office.”
- Bookmarks and collaborative spaces: “Users can bookmark items as favorites in the new tool so they can more quickly identify classification requirements.”
In addition to the five on the list, collaboration will get a boost, since there will be places on the platform where users can share comments internally.
“Those comments become a conversation. It’s a thread, back and forth, and it’s just an easy way for you to collaborate with your team,” Taylor said.
“ClassIT+ not only streamlines operations but also enhances strategic decision-making for carriers and shippers alike,” Ohr said in the announcement about the new tool. “It’s imperative that NMFC users are prepared for the NMFC changes set for this Summer and ClassIT+ is that solution.”
Clete Cordero, vice president of pricing and traffic at Southeastern Freight Lines and chairman of NMFTA, added, “I’ve seen ClassIT+ in action, and its capabilities are truly impressive. NMFTA’s goal is to provide a streamlined, scalable, and accurate classification solution that supports the seamless flow of goods across the supply chain. And they’ve done just that.”
