NMFC Codes – Classification, Cost Impact, and Compliance

Freight shipping can be complicated, especially when cargo belonging to various shippers has to share space in the same means of transport. 

How do shippers and carriers ensure cargo safety, operational efficiency, personnel safety, and cost-effectiveness? What solution can best serve shippers, carriers, and other personnel?

In the case of shared truck space, that solution is NMFC codes, which have become the secret ingredient to secure, cost-efficient, and successful freight transactions. 

Today’s guide explores what NMFC codes are, their importance, and how they affect shipping costs.

Quick Overview (TL;DR) – NMFC Codes in Shipping

What Are NMFC Codes?

• The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) code is a standardized number used in U.S. shipping to classify commodities for less-than-truckload (LTL) freight. It ensures carriers, shippers, and freight forwarders use the same system when quoting, billing, and handling goods.

Why NMFC Codes Matter

• NMFC codes determine the freight class of a shipment, which directly affects pricing, liability, and how the cargo is handled in transit. Incorrect codes can cause billing disputes, reclassification fees, and shipment delays.

How NMFC Codes Are Assigned

• Freight is classified into a range of classes (50–500) based on four factors:
  • Density – weight relative to space used
  • Stowability – how easily the cargo fits with others
  • Handling – special care required in transit
  • Liability – risk of damage, theft, or accident

How Shippers Use NMFC Codes

• Shippers can find their NMFC code in the NMFTA database, through their carrier, or by working with a freight forwarder who ensures the correct classification is applied.

How Ship4wd Helps Small and Mid-Sized Business Shipping

Accessing, interpreting, and assigning the correct codes to your commodity can be confusing, so, relying on your freight forwarder’s experience, knowledge, and contracts in the space from ocean and air shipping to final delivery and trucking, is crucial. 

Ship4wd simplifies classification by handling NMFC codes, customs documentation, and end-to-end freight forwarding on a digital platform with 24/7 support. For SMBs with lean teams or no logistics expertise, this means faster, easier, and error-free shipping.

Join us today to streamline all your shipping needs.

What is an NMFC Code?

An NMFC code is a series of digits assigned to each specific commodity in a less-than-truckload (LTL) shipment in intrastate, interstate, and even foreign commerce. 

The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) assigns and maintains these codes through the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC). 

Here are other crucial aspects to note about LTL freight NMFC codes:

• Each LTL commodity belongs to a specific freight class. 
• There are 18 freight classes, which range between 50 and 500. 
• Lower numbers in the freight class codes indicate the commodity is more favorable to transport and thus cheaper. 
• Higher numbers indicate the item is challenging to transport and thus more expensive to ship.

The Importance of NMFC Codes in Freight Shipping

Using the correct LTL shipping classification codes matters for several reasons:

• Smoother Operations: Sorting cargo into different categories gives shippers, shipping managers, and cargo recipients a standard system for easily identifying and classifying shipments. 

• Understanding Shipping Ease or Difficulty: Stakeholders can easily understand how easy or difficult it is to transport a specific commodity. They know how each item should be kept, transported, and handled. 

• Cost Management: Using the correct codes safeguards against underestimating costs or overspending because you use a standardized pricing strategy. The charges are based on the real attributes of your cargo. 

• Safety Enhancement: The codes promote the safety and integrity of cargo by reducing the possibility of damage or loss during transit and handling. The safety of transporters is also improved because they know how to transport each product according to its unique requirements. 

Key Factors Determining NMFC Classification

According to the NMFTA, NMFC classification codes depend on four factors:

1. Density: Cargo density measures how much space freight takes up and how tightly packed it is relative to its size. To determine the density, you divide the cargo’s total cubic feet by its weight. High-density cargo is easier and cheaper to ship, hence assigned to a lower class. 
2. Handling: Larger and bulkier freight usually has a low shipping favorability and is placed in a higher shipping class. Other unique items like hazardous goods, large instruments, highly fragile goods, and sensitive electronics belong to a higher class. 
3. Stowability: This aspect considers how easy it is to store cargo alongside others in a truck. Items with uniform sizes and shapes are easier to stow. Items with awkward shapes, such as furniture, are difficult to stow and are placed in a higher class. 
4. Liability: Hazardous materials, such as corrosive goods and flammables, carry more liability to ship. They are low-favorability goods and thus belong to higher classes. Special goods, such as temperature-specific and refrigerated goods, also carry more liability. High-value items also attract more liability and are placed in higher classes. 

2025-2026 NMFC Reform: From Commodity to Density

If you’re still classifying freight the way you did before mid-2025, your numbers are almost certainly wrong now.

The National Motor Freight Traffic Association overhauled the classification system starting with Docket 2025-1 on July 19, 2025, moving roughly 6,000 items from commodity-based classification to a density-based model. Instead of your product’s name or category determining the class, the pounds-per-cubic-foot of your packaged shipment does, for most freight. Docket 2026-1, effective February 6, 2026, went further, cancelling additional legacy item numbers and expanding the density scale from 11 tiers to 13, adding two new classes, 50 and 55, for extremely dense freight that previously had no dedicated tier.

If your quoting software or TMS still pulls freight class from an old commodity table, you are very likely quoting against an item number that no longer exists, and carriers will reclassify and rebill you at the terminal when they catch the mismatch.

NMFC Code List

The list of NMFC codes isn’t openly available without a subscription or free trial, but here’s a sample NMFC codes chart to give you a rough idea:

Freight Class	Description	Examples	Weight Range
Class 50	Dense, durable, easy-to-handle items	Cement, bricks	50+ lbs (22.7+ kg)
Class 55	Heavy but sturdy, moderately difficult to handle	Rolled textiles	35–50 lbs (15.9–22.7 kg)
Class 60	Moderate dense, compact items	Machine parts	30–35 lbs (13.6–15.9 kg)
Class 65	Stackable goods, still moderately dense, easy to handle	Boxed goods	22.5–30 lbs (10.2–13.6 kg)
Class 70	Easily handled, moderate weight, sturdy	Unassembled furniture, some assembled furniture	15–22.5 lbs (6.8–10.2 kg)
Class 77.5	Requires some handling care, moderate density	Bathroom fixtures, light machinery	13.5–15 lbs (6.1–6.8 kg)
Class 85	Large but manageable items, heavier	Metal fixtures, crafted machinery	12–13.5 lbs (5.4–6.1 kg)
Class 92.5	Valuable, heavier goods requiring extra care	Refrigerators, car parts	10.5–12 lbs (4.8–5.4 kg)
Class 100	Light items with moderate handling requirements	Garden equipment, boat accessories	9–10.5 lbs (4.1–4.8 kg)
Class 110	Fragile or unique shape, less dense	Framed art pieces, appliances	8–9 lbs (3.6–4.1 kg)
Class 125	Lightweight, easy to damage, requiring careful handling	Small household appliances, electronics	7–8 lbs (3.2–3.6 kg)
Class 150	Larger but delicate items, requiring special handling	Electronic consoles, glass	6–7 lbs (2.7–3.2 kg)
Class 175	Lightweight and valuable, often fragile, requiring special handling	Stuffed furniture, automotive parts	5–6 lbs (2.3–2.7 kg)
Class 200	Bulky, moderate value, moderate density, easy to stow	Large plastic crates, bottled beverages	4–5 lbs (1.8–2.3 kg)
Class 250	Higher value, difficult to stow	Audio systems	3–4 lbs (1.4–1.8 kg)
Class 300	Low-density but highly valuable items	Lightweight kayaks, large machinery	2–3 lbs (0.9–1.4 kg)
Class 400	Very light but delicate, requiring specialized handling	Deer antlers, cars, motorcycles	1–2 lbs (0.45–0.9 kg)
Class 500	High-value, low-density, easily damaged, requiring specialized handling	High-end electronics, fine art	Less than 1 lb (less than 0.45 kg)

Note: The Freight Classification Development Council (FCDC) regularly revises and updates the NMFC codes list. An item can shift from one code to another. 

How to Find an NMFC Code

As mentioned, the NMFC classification system isn’t free. However, the paid tool offers a free trial that you can use to evaluate it before subscribing. 

The NMFTA has a digital, subscription-based, standard NMFC code lookup tool called ClassIT®. 

The ClassIT tool is not only an NMFC code lookup software but also a freight calculator for determining the right shipping class and rates. 

There’s a free, publicly available ClassIT user manual to guide shippers and carriers on using it. 

Let’s see how to use the tool to look up NMFC codes:

• Search within the tool using the commodity’s name while being as specific as possible. For example, instead of “furniture,” search for “mahogany dining set.” If you don’t find results, use the plural form of the commodity.
• Choose the NMFC or commodity that best reflects your cargo.
• Calculate your commodity’s density using its predetermined weight, height, width, and length. 
• Choose the correct freight class, matching the calculated density of the commodity with the corresponding class range. 

Best Practices for NMFC Code Compliance

The NMFC codes system can be tricky, even for experienced shippers. You can use the tips below to ensure you comply accordingly:

• Carrier Confirmation: Always confirm the NMFC code with your carrier or freight forwarder. Some carriers offer their own versions or adaptations of the NMFC code lookup tool, and they may interpret it differently. Your forwarder can confirm it for you from the carrier if need be. 
• Stay Updated on NMFC Changes: You can subscribe to the NMFTA’s blogs and newsletters to stay informed of periodic revisions that change product codes and require you to adjust shipping methods. 
• Add the NMFC Code to the Bill of Lading: Include the assigned shipment-specific code on the bill of lading to avoid getting your cargo reclassified during handling operations such as transloading. 
• Palletize Your Freight: If you pack your commodities into pallets, making them easier to handle, they might qualify for a more cost-efficient NMFC code. Try this with large items like dryers and washers. 
• Maintain Your LTL Shipment Records: Keep a digital record of the NMFC codes you’ve used in the past to track any potential changes. The record can also make dispute resolution over rates easier. 
• Use Proper Packing Methods: Use the right packaging and packing materials to balance between weight, density, cargo security, and stowability. 

Keeping up with these best practices requires the help of an experienced freight forwarder to act as the link between you, your cargo recipient, and the carrier. 

At Ship4wd, we can help you streamline all your shipping processes, including door-to-door delivery through our network of reliable trucking partners. 

Our digital freight forwarding platform allows you to choose a partnership system where we help you every step of the way. Alternatively, you can be more independent and use the platform to manage all your freight activities yourself. 

Create a free account with us today to optimize all your air and ocean shipping activities, including keep an eye on the status of your trucking delivery if you’ve chosen door-to-door shipping with us.

How to Calculate Your Freight Class by Density

Density is simple arithmetic, but it has to be done on the actual packaged shipment, not an estimate.

Measure the length, width, and height of your palletized shipment in inches, including the pallet itself, which most people forget and which typically adds 5 to 6 inches of height. Multiply the three dimensions together to get cubic inches, then divide by 1,728 to convert to cubic feet. Divide your total weight in pounds by that cubic feet figure, and you have your density in pounds per cubic foot. Match that number to the current NMFC density table: roughly 30 lbs per cubic foot lands around Class 60, while very light, bulky freight in the 1 to 2 lbs per cubic foot range can land as high as Class 400 or 500.

Get this wrong and carriers will remeasure and reclassify at the terminal, adding both a higher rate and a reclassification fee to your invoice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Let’s check out common questions regarding NMFC codes:

Conclusion – NMFC Codes

If you use truck freight often, you’ll want to be familiar and up-to-date with the latest NMFC codes to ensure you ship your goods more safely, timely, and cost-effectively. 

At Ship4wd, our experience helping companies move their goods through trucking partners helps us interpret the complex NMFC classification tenets and ensure you avoid misclassifications and the overcharges they cause. We can act as the link between you and your carrier to ensure the correct use of the codes for different commodities. 

Get started today to start shipping efficiently and cost-effectively, even on the road.