LTL shippers: I highly encourage you to watch the NMFTA’s Shippers Only Listening Session on NMFC changes coming in 2025. It is linked in the comments below. Big changes are indeed coming to LTL classification. This listening session will help you prepare. Specifically, a very large and set of proposed changes will be issued on 01/30/25. These changes will be considered and voted upon at a public meeting on 03/03/25. Approved changes will then be implemented on 05/03/25. The proposed changes provide for classifying commodities by a 13-sub class-by-density scale when density is the primary transportation characteristic. These changes will include: 🔴 132 existing 11-sub items with CL60-CL400 ratings such as Plastic Articles, Athletic Goods, and Furniture will be extended to 13 subs. The two new subs will provide CL55 and CL50 ratings which allow shippers with very-dense handing units to get a lower class than the current CL60 minimum. 🔴 3,814 single-class items such as Poker Chips CL70, Brake Drums CL60, and Greenhouses CL200 will be cancelled and move under an exiting or new 13-sub item as noted above. Classes will range from CL50 for 50 PCF and above, to CL400 for less than 1 PCF. 🔴 129 modified density scale items such as Asphalt with 3 subs (CL55 for >=30 PCF, CL65 for >=22.5 but < 30 PC, and CL85 for <22.5 PCF will be cancelled and move under an existing or new 13-sub item as noted above. 🔴 1,198 sub-provision items such as Camera Tripods (CL200 if setup, CL100 if knocked down) will be cancelled and move under an existing or new 13-sub item as noted above. 🔴 In all, roughly 75% of the 7,000 NMF items in the NMFC could potentially be impacted with these changes. The list of items potentially impacted is extensive. See the comments for a link to this list. You can search the NMFC items you ship to see if they may be impacted. The LTL industry is rapidly moving towards the day where shippers must know the weights and dimensions of their handling units (pallets, crates, etc). While this will undoubtedly cause some disruption, the best plan of attack is to get in front of these changes and be prepared. Put in a plan now to capture accurate handling unit dimensions and weights. There are many topics to cover with these changes, and I will address them in future posts. One unexpected issue is that the NMFC’s Mixed Commodity rule will not be changed, at least not yet. That means if you ship multiple commodities on a pallet, you may still have to itemize each commodity in order to be correct. This will depend upon the carrier(s) you use. Note sure why the NMFTA chose not to modify this rule to align with their other changes. While you may feel otherwise, these are all very positive changes for shippers. Classification will be simpler, invoicing issues will reduce, and you can gain the benefit of reduced freight charges as you learn to build denser and more-squared off pallets.
Scooter Sayers
7mo
Shipper Listening Session Recording: https://assets.nmfta.org/share/2E42CCFA-0D31-4CA8-926CD2DD6553FB99/?viewType=grid#
Hillary Drake
7mo
I agree this is a positive change - it's also huge. Updating that many items will be a gigantic project.
Douglas Riesberg
7mo
Scooter, Thanks for posting this update. Very valuable information for carriers and shippers.
Ronald Krup
6mo
Scooter you state above- “One unexpected issue is that the NMFC’s Mixed Commodity rule will not be changed, at least not yet. That means if you ship multiple commodities on a pallet, you may still have to itemize each commodity in order to be correct. This will depend upon the carrier(s) you use. Note sure why the NMFTA chose not to modify this rule to align with their other changes.” Im thinking most LTL carriers will handle multiple commodities the same way they do today - Each commodity must be listed separately with the correct weight and class. Is there another option some carriers are considering?
Shawn Shaw
7mo
Love this, great to have such an amazing expert on LTL! Thanks for all your wisdom Scooter
David Church
7mo
59310…will not be density! Was really hoping that this would be moving out of 500 class. ;)
Shelli M.
7mo
Thanks for sharing
Robert Poage
7mo
Lisa Pate - You may find this very interesting
Jeffrey Sade
6mo
…cannot legally dimensionize mixed shipments for increased revenue, but carries can put exceptions in their rules tariff.
I deliver LTL Solutions, one dimension at a time
7moProposed 2025-1 NMFC Item Changes: https://22203423.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/22203423/2025-NMFC-Changes-Proposed-List-NMFTA.pdf