Prepare for changing LTL shipping data 

Changes are coming to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) on July 19, 2025, and if you ship less-than-truckload (LTL), you’ll want to be prepared. It changes how LTL freight is classified and priced, and it’s one of the most significant updates to the classification in years.

What’s changing?  

The updated classification will simplify LTL freight pricing by using a standardized density scale for items that do not have concerns about stowability, handling or liability. This means that goods with similar density values can now fall under the same classification, regardless of the type of item. 

The key changes include: 

  • A shift to density-based classification 
    For nearly 2,000 commodities, freight density (the weight-to-volume ratio) will become the main factor in determining freight class, rather than focusing solely on commodity type. Also, for enhanced precision, the standard 11-class density scale will be expanded to a 13-class scale. 

  • Simplified commodity listings
    Thousands of specific item listings will consolidate into broader categories. While this simplifies the process, your current classifications may need to be updated.  

  • New identifiers for special freight 
    Shipments requiring special handling, like fragile, hazardous material, high-value or oversized items, will be assigned unique identifiers to reflect their specific handling needs and risks accurately.  

  • The launch of ClassIT+ 
    The NMFTA is introducing ClassIT+, a user-friendly classification tool with improved integration capabilities. This tool makes it easier for LTL shippers to find and apply the correct classification.  

What these changes mean for shippers 

This will affect both shipping costs and operational processes. With the shift to increased density-based classification, if freight is packaged into a denser shipment, the shipper can take advantage of a lower class and possibly lower rates. Conversely, over-packaging resulting in lighter and bulkier freight could result in a higher class and higher rates.  

How to prepare 

Here are some things you can do to get ready for July 19: 

  • Familiarize yourself with the changes and review your current classifications
    Visit the NMFTA website for additional details and compare your existing NMFC codes to identify changes under the new system. 

    Sign up to watch our webinar about the upcoming changes to learn more.

  • Ensure accurate dimensions
    Density-based pricing relies on precise data, so it’s more important than ever to begin capturing accurate dimensions and including them on Bills of Lading (BOLs) for all LTL shipments. 

  • Review your packaging strategies
    This is a great time to work with your logistics partner to optimize packaging. ABF Freight’s packaging engineers are ready to help. The team is trained to optimize designs to reduce the risk of damage, build efficiency and improve sustainability with more dense packaging, and help eliminate unnecessary costs. Learn more about packaging freight for an LTL shipment.   

  • Update your TMS and shipping systems 
    If your NMFC codes are loaded into a TMS, WMS, ERP or other shipping technology, you’ll likely need to review and update those classifications. Also, if your BOLs, labels or system-generated paperwork include NMFC data, those fields may need to be updated with new class codes or special handling identifiers. 

  • Educate your team 
    Make sure your team understands how to calculate density and apply the new classification guidelines.  

  • Connect with your logistics partner (that’s us!)
    As early adopters of space-based pricing — like density-based pricing in that it focuses on how efficiently space is used in a trailer — we bring the expertise, technology and processes needed to guide you through this transition.   

We’re here to help 

ArcBest LTL carrier, ABF Freight® was among the first to implement space-based pricing in 2017 and is a proven leader in freight dimensioning. We’re here to help you navigate these changes with confidence. 

“We’ve been using dimensioning data to create smarter, more efficient and sustainable LTL shipping solutions for years,” said Christopher Adkins, chief strategy officer at ArcBest “This experience, along with our in-house engineering and packaging experts, puts us in a strong position to help customers not only adapt to these NMFC changes, but potentially use them as an opportunity to improve their supply chain.” 

If you don’t have access to accurate freight dimensioning technology at your facilities, ArcBest’s Vaux Vision may be a solution. This groundbreaking 3-D perception technology, now in the pilot stage, transforms forklifts into intelligent mobile freight dimensioners. Learn more about Vaux Vision  

Need more resources? Read our blog post, Freight Class and NMFC Code Basics