NMFC Changes: What Changed in July 2025

The most common mistake shippers make about the July 2025 NMFC changes is assuming the old 18-class density guideline still applies. It does not. As of July 19, 2025, the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), through Docket 2025-1, replaced the 18-class guideline with a 13-subprovision density scale. If you are still using the old chart, your freight class is likely wrong, and you are getting surprise reclass charges. What changed, how the new scale works, and what you need to do before your next LTL shipment follows.

Docket 2025-1 was the NMFTA's formal proposal to restructure the NMFC density scale. The final decision, published on nmfta.org, made two material changes. First, it collapsed the 18-class density guideline into a 13-subprovision scale. Second, it expanded the number of density tiers that map directly to a class, which changes where the breakpoints fall between density and class number. The effective date is July 19, 2025, and the change applies to all shipments tendered on or after that date. The old 18-class chart is now a legacy reference; it is not the current NMFC rule.

The core change is the number of density-to-class mappings. Under the old 18-class guideline, density breakpoints were spread across 18 class numbers. Under the new 13-subprovision scale, there are 13 subprovisions in NMFC Item 110000. Each subprovision covers a specific density range and assigns a single class. The practical effect is that some density ranges that previously mapped to two different classes now map to one, and the class number has shifted for some commodities. The table below shows the old breakpoints and the current ones.

The NMFC density scale applies to the handling unit, not the entire shipment. A handling unit is the individual piece of freight you tender: a pallet, a box, a drum, or a skid. You calculate density using the formula: pounds per cubic foot = weight (lbs) / (length (in) x width (in) x height (in) / 1728). The length, width, and height are the outer dimensions of the handling unit itself, including any pallet overhang. The 13-subprovision scale then maps the resulting density to a class. If your shipment has multiple handling units with different densities, each unit may have a different class. You cannot average them.

Why the Number of Subprovisions Matters

The 13-subprovision scale changes the density threshold at which a class jumps. Under the old 18-class guideline, a handling unit with a density of 14.5 lbs/cu ft would map to class 85. Under the new scale, the same density still maps to class 85, so no change there. The material difference appears at the lower end of the scale, where the old 18-class guideline had more granular breakpoints between classes 200 and 300. The new scale has fewer breakpoints in that range, meaning some very low-density freight that previously fell into class 300 or 400 may now fall into a different subprovision.

Handling-Unit Density Rule

The current NMFC density scale item, Item 110000, Sub 1 through Sub 13, contains the authoritative mapping. You can look up the exact subprovision for your handling unit's density on ClassIT+, the NMFTA's online classification tool. Carrier 3PL explainers, such as those from ODFL or C.H. Robinson, cross-check these values but the NMFTA is the definitive source.

Docket 2025-1 also expanded the number of commodities that are classified solely by density, rather than by a combination of density, stowability, handling, and liability. The NMFTA's final decision lists specific NMFC items that were moved to the density-only scale. If your commodity now falls under a density-only item, you no longer need to factor in subjective ratings like 'liability 1-5' or 'handling 1-5.' The class is determined entirely by the handling-unit density and the 13-subprovision scale. If your commodity did not move to density-only, the old four-factor system still applies, and you must find the correct NMFC item number for that commodity. The NMFTA's Docket 2025-1 dockets & decisions pages list every commodity that changed.

Three actions are required for any shipper who tenders LTL freight. First, re-check the class for every commodity you ship. Use the current 13-subprovision density scale and verify the NMFC item number via ClassIT+. If you used the old 18-class guideline, your class may have shifted. Second, update your Bill of Lading (BOL) templates. The NMFC item number and the class code must reflect the current scale. Using an outdated class code on the BOL triggers a reclass and a reweigh/inspection charge per NMFC Item 360. Third, review your carrier contracts. If your contract includes a FAK term, the single class you negotiated must be checked against the current NMFC. A FAK class that was valid under the old scale may no longer cover the highest-class item in your shipment under the new scale. Carrier rules tariffs, such as ODFL's Rules Tariff 100, define the carrier's right to reweigh and inspect; be prepared to challenge any reclass by citing the current NMFC item number.

Checklist for Shippers

• Verify the NMFC item number for each commodity using ClassIT+ on nmfta.org.
• Measure the handling-unit dimensions and weight, applying your carrier's rounding rule.
• Calculate density using the formula: pounds per cubic foot = weight (lbs) / (length (in) x width (in) x height (in) / 1728.
• Map the density to the class using the 13-subprovision scale in NMFC Item 110000.
• Update your BOL template with the correct NMFC item number and class code.
• Review your carrier contract's FAK term to ensure the negotiated class still covers your shipment.
• Train warehouse staff on the new scale and on how to measure handling units correctly.
• Be prepared to challenge a reclass by referencing NMFC Item 360 and requesting a reweigh.