What Is the National Motor Freight Classification?
The NMFC is the voluntary NMFTA standard that sorts LTL freight into 18 classes from 50 to 500. Learn what those classes mean, how they are set, and how to enter them on your quote.
The National Motor Freight Classification, or NMFC, is a voluntary industry standard for classifying commodities that move by less-than-truckload freight. It provides commodity descriptions, item numbers, freight classes, rules, packaging provisions, and related classification information used by shippers, carriers, and logistics providers.
The National Motor Freight Traffic Association maintains the NMFC through its Freight Classification Development Council. The standard contains 18 freight classes from 50 to 500 and evaluates commodities through density, handling, stowability, and liability.
What the NMFC standardizes
The NMFC gives the LTL industry a common classification framework. Its content can include:
- Commodity and group descriptions
- NMFC item numbers and subitems
- Freight classes or density-based class scales
- Definitions and notes
- Packaging requirements
- Rules governing how provisions apply
- References between related items, packages, and rules
This is more than a list pairing product names with class numbers. A commodity entry may include conditions that change which subprovision applies. The full entry must be read in context.
The NMFC is voluntary
NMFTA describes the NMFC as a voluntary standard. Its current guidance says the NMFC is the industry standard to use when class is being determined absent a tariff published by the carrier or other applicable terms.
That distinction prevents two opposite mistakes. The NMFC is not a statute that automatically overrides every shipping agreement, but it is also not an informal online chart. It is the maintained classification standard that should be reviewed together with the carrier tariffs, exceptions, and terms governing the shipment.
The 18 freight classes
The NMFC uses these class numbers:
50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 77.5, 85, 92.5, 100, 110, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 400, and 500.
Generally, denser freight that is easier to handle and stow receives a lower class number. Freight with more difficult transportation characteristics may receive a higher number. Liability concerns can also affect classification.
This directional description is not a price table. The class can be one rating input, but the actual rate depends on the applicable carrier pricing and shipment details. Do not assume that moving from one class to another creates a fixed percentage change in price.
The four transportation characteristics
NMFTA evaluates commodities using four characteristics.
Density
Density is the packaged weight in relation to packaged cubic volume. It must be based on the complete handling unit as tendered, including pallets, crates, cartons, padding, wrap, and projections.
For commodities without unusual or significant handling, stowability, or liability concerns, density may be the primary classification characteristic and the item may use the standard full-density scale.
Handling
Handling considers the ease or difficulty of moving the commodity across a dock and into or out of transportation equipment. Size, weight, configuration, fragility, hazardous characteristics, and special-care needs may be relevant.
Stowability
Stowability concerns how effectively freight can be placed with other freight in a trailer. Possible considerations include loading restrictions, excessive dimensions, protrusions, and limited load-bearing surfaces.
Liability
Liability can include susceptibility to damage, the potential to damage other freight, perishability, and hazardous nature.
These are not four values that a shipper adds together. The Freight Classification Development Council considers them when developing and maintaining the NMFC provisions.
Item number versus freight class
An NMFC item number identifies a commodity provision. Freight class is the rating category produced by applying the provision to the freight.
One item does not necessarily equal one permanent class. An item can contain multiple subprovisions or density ranges. The applicable class may depend on the packaged density or another condition stated in the provision.
For a complete classification record, save the commodity description, item number, subitem or subprovision, class, packaging details, and lookup date.
How the NMFC changes
NMFTA updates the standard through a public process involving dockets, disposition bulletins, and supplements.
- A docket presents proposed amendments and supporting analysis for public review.
- The Freight Classification Development Council considers the proposals and comments.
- A disposition bulletin records the Council’s decisions.
- Approved changes amend the NMFC through a supplement with its stated effective date.
The public-docket page contains current docket and disposition materials. ClassIT+ separates future issued changes, newly effective changes, and effective current content through its “Coming Soon,” “What’s New,” and search views.
A proposal is not automatically the current rule. Check the disposition and effective NMFC content before changing a stored classification.
What ClassIT+ does
ClassIT+ is NMFTA’s current digital classification platform. Its search can use commodity terms, synonyms, descriptors, item numbers, dates, supplements, and public dockets.
Use it to:
- Search current commodity provisions
- Review item and subitem details
- Follow relevant packages, notes, and rules
- Check current and changing content
- Calculate density when the governing provision requires it
- Save or share classification records
NMFTA notes that its calculators are for estimation and reference and do not suggest an item’s class. The commodity lookup and governing provision supply the classification context.
How a shipper uses the NMFC
The practical workflow is:
- Identify the commodity precisely.
- Record its material, form, use, condition, and packaging when relevant.
- Search current NMFC content for the matching provision.
- Read the item, subitems, notes, packages, and referenced rules.
- Measure and weigh the complete handling unit.
- Calculate density if required by the provision.
- Record the applicable item number, subprovision, and class.
- Use consistent information in the quote and shipping record.
NMFTA’s current Item 250100 guidance says bill-of-lading commodity descriptions must match the applicable tariff and include the article, package, special markings, exceptions, NMFC item number, subprovision, and class.
Common NMFC mistakes
Avoid:
- Treating the NMFC as only a density chart
- Treating an item number and freight class as the same field
- Assuming every item number produces one class
- Searching with a vague commodity category
- Ignoring subitems, notes, packaging requirements, or referenced rules
- Using bare-product dimensions instead of packaged dimensions
- Treating a proposed docket change as effective
- Reusing an old classification without checking current content
If more than one provision remains plausible, NMFTA offers formal Classification Interpretations Assistance.
What to gather before requesting a quote
Prepare:
- Precise commodity description
- NMFC item number and subprovision when applicable
- Confirmed freight class
- Final packaged dimensions and weight for each handling unit
- Packaging type, handling-unit count, and piece count
- Stackability and unusual handling characteristics
- Hazardous-material status when applicable
- Origin and destination postal codes
- Requested pickup date
- Required pickup and delivery services
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When the classification and shipment details are ready, get a freight quote and sign up through Shipocity.
