LTL Freight Classification Changes

Freight ClassificationThe National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) is the standard used to classify and rate less-than-truckload (LTL) commodities for interstate, interstate, and foreign commerce. Commodities are grouped into one of 18 classes – from a low of class 50 to a high of class 500 – based on an evaluation of four transportation characteristics: density, handling, stowability, and liability. Based on the recent National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA.org) studies, more commodities are shifting to a pounds per cubic foot (PCF) pricing model. The following are some of the commodities that will be re-classified in early August as a result of this trend. 

  • Air Curtains/Air Doors – New item 114135 will be established with classification based on length.
  • Magazines/Periodicals/Newspaper inserts/supplements – Item 161685 will be canceled and new item 161700 is being created with classification based on density.
  • Blinds, Hunters – Item 15830 is being canceled and referred to Item 15520, full-scale density.
  • Chairs or Stools – folding – Item 80565 will be canceled and referenced to Item 80580 which is the density-based chair classification.
  • Blinds or Shutters, wooden, exterior – Item 37550 is being amended to reflect classification based on density.
  • Lockers, cold storage, steel – Item 111740 will be canceled and referred to 80440
  • Pine/Fir Cones – Item 52640 is being amended to reflect classification based on density.
  • Freeze Dried/Freeze Dehydrated Fruits, Meats, Vegetables, and Dairy Products – Item 76850 is being amended to reflect classification based on density.
  • Night Lights – Item 109880 is being changed from a class 85 to class 125.
  • Trail Mix – Item 77190 is being canceled and will now reference to Item 74800, the density-based snack item.
  • Compounds, anti-freezing, Dextrin or British Gum, Blue, Flower or Garden seeds – Items 50070, 57200, 149590, 173270 are all being updated to remove references to Item 60000
  • Household Goods – NMFC 100240 is being adjusted to reflect class 150 for boxed/crated household goods, without regard to the valuation of goods. The articles moving under this provision will have a maximum liability per article of $0.10 per pound.

Carriers often will assess fees if a discrepancy is found between the Bill of Lading and the measurements taken upon receipt of the goods. If you have any questions regarding freight classification or freight density, please contact our LTL staff at LTL@logisticsplus.com or 1.866.335.7623. If you want to avoid freight classifications all together, ask us about our LTL Density Rates Program. 

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