Ready for New LTL Freight Classes? TQL Has You Covered
National Motor Freight Classification system undergoing changes in 2025
By Shannon Russell
Changes are coming to Less Than Truckload (LTL) freight in 2025 as part of a streamlined National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system. Classing freight correctly reduces rebills from LTL carriers and saves time and money – and TQL is here to help guide shippers through the NMFC transition.
The simplification, known as Docket 2025-1, aims to improve accuracy and efficiency in LTL shipping by modernizing the NMFC’s approach to classifying stowability, liability, ease of handling and density. These four factors are used to determine the class of freight. The lower the class assignment, the more manageable the freight.
A quick primer on these terms:
- Stowability is the ease of storing cargo alongside other freight on a trailer.
- Liability is the coverage of the product being shipped (the higher the class, the higher the reimbursement).
- Ease of Handling is a measure of how easily freight can be managed.
- Density is the weight of a shipment per cubic foot.
The current NMFC system has codes for 18,000+ commodities and 18 classes ranging from 50 to 500 based on these four factors.
More: Reach out to a TQL LTL expert today
NMFC changes, expected to go live July 19, 2025, will streamline NMFC items and freight classes to be more user-friendly, allowing for more accuracy for shippers, carriers and 3PLs. The National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. estimates up to 3,500 single-class items will be moved to 13 subcategories as part of the changes.
What are the NMFC changes?
Docket 2025-1's proposed changes were released Jan. 30. The Freight Classification Development Council will hold a public meeting March 3 to discuss the proposals.
The changes will:
- Create a standard density scale for LTL freight with no handling, stowability and liability issues.
- Implement unique identifiers for freight with special handling, stowability or liability needs.
- Simplify and update commodity listings.
- Improve user friendliness with the ClassIT+ tool, an enhanced version of the NMFC classification tool.
The intent is to leverage more accuracy and efficiency by transforming a notoriously complicated freight classification system.
How will the changes impact shippers?
While the NMFC changes are meant to simplify, adjusting to the new system will be a learning curve for many shippers. Shippers may need to provide handling unit dimensions and weight.
What is the strategy for Docket 2025-1?
Docket 2025-1 will focus on standardizing the evaluation of all commodities when density is the primary transportation characteristic. Per the NMFC, the docket’s strategies are to:
- Expand FCDC 11-subprovision density progression to 13 – subs by adding classes 50 and 55. This will affect all current items that are already at full density.
- Make all items with modified density breaks but NO handling, stowability and liability issues 13 – sub full density items.
- Make single class items with NO handling, stowability and liability issues 13 – sub full density items.
- Make sub provision items with multiple classes and NO handling, stowability and liability issues 13 – sub full density items.
What can TQL do for you?
We’re here to guide you through the NMFC classing transition. Trust TQL to identify the new freight classes, answer all your questions about LTL shipping and reprice contracts to avoid rebilling on inaccurate classifications.
At TQL, we work every day to make quoting, booking and managing LTL shipments simple and hassle-free. Our LTL experts and TQL TRAX proprietary software allow shippers to select the service level, liability and transit time for each shipment, and we proactively track, communicate and resolve issues every step of the way.
TQL’s LTL services are tailored to your business needs. Contact your dedicated Logistics Account Executive today or visit TQL.com/Less-than-truckload to learn more.
