Freight Class and NMFC Code Basics

The importance of National Motor Freight Classification® in LTL shipping 

Companies use less-than-truckload shipping (LTL) to move products of all shapes, sizes, weights and handling requirements. Some are easy to ship, and some are more difficult. When you need to book one of these shipments, the goal is always to get an accurate quote and ensure it travels safely and securely to its destination. To make sure that happens, the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) provides the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC®), an industry-standard classification system that shippers and carriers use to determine the costs and handling requirements associated with every single commodity that ships via LTL.    

What are NMFC Codes and Freight Classes?  

The NMFC’s classification system is comprised of Freight Classes and NMFC Codes that appropriately categorize LTL shipments. There are 18 freight classes that range from 50 to 500 and thousands of NMFC commodity codes/subcodes. Freight Class represents a category of items, while NMFC Codes (and further broken-down subcodes) represent a specific commodity within each freight class. 

Here’s what that looks like: The NMFC is organized as a list of NMFC Commodity numbers with a description of the commodities under it. Some NMFC commodity numbers are extremely specific and only apply to a small range of items, while others are broad and refer to a wide variety of items. Each Commodity Number (and sub) has a specific class associated with it.  

For example: Printed spiral notebooks are currently categorized as NMFC Item 153760, Sub 03, Class 60. 

Classification is based on each commodity’s transportation characteristics, considering four criteria:  

1. Density: how much it weighs in relation to its size. 

2. Handling requirements: How easy is handling, and does it require unique accommodations or care during transport? 

3. Stowability: How easily is it loaded in the trailer with other freight? Is it heavy, oddly shaped, perishable, flammable or hazardous?  

4. Liability: Does it present a liability issue like theft, damage or damage to other loads on the trailer? Are extra precautions required?  

Class 50 are the lowest rates while class 500 are the highest. Lower class freight tends to be more dense, with little to no handling requirements, stowability issues or liability concerns. 

Note: The chart below is only for conceptual understanding. Freight class varies depending on the specific NMFC Commodity Code assigned. NMFTA constantly monitors changes in the industry and in technology and makes ongoing changes to the NMFC.  

Why the freight class and NMFC code matter 

When you ship LTL, freight from multiple shippers travels in the same trailer, and because of that, height, length, weight, density, fragility, ability to stack, handling requirements and value all matter. These are just some of the reasons why the correct freight class and NMFC code are so important. They’re so crucial, in fact, that they’re required on the Bill of Lading (BOL). 

An accurate freight class and NMFC code are necessary for several reasons: 

• It impacts the price — properly classifying your freight by determining the applicable NMFC Item number will help to ensure the price you receive in a quote will match the price on the freight invoice.
• It determines impacts liability limits — some carriers offer higher liability limits for higher-class freight
• It helps ensures shipments are handled appropriately — how loads are comingled, secured, stacked and protected
• It lets carriers know if special license endorsements, placards, equipment types, etc., are required — think about things like sensitive electronics, medical supplies, pharmaceuticals and hazardous materials 

If the shipper doesn’t provide the correct information, a reweigh or remeasurement that changes the class or NMFC code can lead to additional fees, delays and even shipment damage.   

How to determine freight class and NMFC codes for your LTL shipment 

To find your shipment’s freight class, start by finding the NMFC commodity or commodities (and sub) — this will determine the freight class.  

Talk to your ArcBest Account Representative to learn more about the options and tools we can provide to help you locate the NMFC Item Number and Freight Class for a specific commodity. Don’t have an ArcBest account yet? Click here to get started!  

You can also find a specific NMFC code using the NMFTA’s classification tool, ClassIT. And for more information on Freight Classification, check out the NMFTA’s recent video: Secrets to Efficient Shipping Using the NMFC.