Latest NMFC Updates LTL Shippers Need To Know in 2021

The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) released the final updates of the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) on December 19, 2020. This update includes changes mainly regarding such commodities as electronics, building materials, automotive, and apparel. It is crucial for retailers to keep track of the NMFC updates, as inaccurate freight classification can increase shipment costs.  

Talking freight class: why NMFC classification is important?

Freight class is a vital component of LTL shipment pricing. Seasoned LTL shippers recognize how crucial accurate freight classification is for receiving correct freight rates, and how a commodity class mistake can cause unexpected rise in shipping costs. While NMFTA regularly updates its classification, it is important to keep track of those updates and timely adjust your shipping information.  

The latest NMFC update in December 2020

If you are an LTL shipper, freight class changes can have a profound effect on the shipment price and your budget. If you ship commodities such as electronics, machinery, building materials, furniture, apparel, toys, or chemicals, here is the list of changes to the responsible freight classes:

Electronic Equipment  

NMFC 61450: New Item (Controllers, not otherwise indicated (NOI), Motor Controllers, Switchboards, Switchboard Sections).

NMFC 61480: Canceled item.

NMFC 63150: Canceled item.

NMFC 61700: Item being updated to include provisions from item 61270 (Chargers, battery), which is being canceled as a result.

NMFC 63360: Toasters will be in class 150 instead of 100.

Machinery  

NMFC 123650: New item (Unit Coolers, commercial, or institutional).
NMFC 123310: Canceled item.

NMFC 123315: Canceled item.
NMFC 115840: Naming Cash Register or Parts, NOI is being canceled with all provisions moved to NMFC 116030.

Paper Articles  

NMFC 154360: The single class rating will be replaced by a two-tier density scale.

Tools Or Parts-Named  

NMFC 185910: The single class rating will be replaced with density-driven classes, with breaks at 6 and 10 PCF.

Building Materials  

NMFC 35350: The item is being amended from the current eleven sub-density scales to classes based on the greatest length and density.
NMFC 35343: Canceled item, all provisions moved under NMFC 35350.
NMFC 37110: Canceled item, all provisions moved under NMFC 35350.

NMFC 37120: Canceled item, all provisions moved under NMFC 35350.

NMFC 37550: Canceled item, all provisions moved under NMFC 35350.

NMFC 34820: The item is being amended from the current class structure based on the material the item is made from, to the greatest dimension and density scale classification.

Furniture  

NMFC 80240: The class will be density-driven on a three-tier scale.

NMFC 79220: Canceled item, all provisions moved to NMFC 80240.

NMFC 80250: Canceled item, reserved for steel filing cabinets, all provisions moved to NMFC 80240.

NMFC 80270: Canceled item, reserved for wooden filing cabinets. All provisions moved to NMFC 80240.

Toys

NMFC 84150: Canceled items, all provisions moved to NMFC 8420.

Automotive Parts  

NMFC 17810: New item (Air Heaters, including Windshield Heaters, or Air Conditioners)  

NMFC 18850: Canceled item, all provisions moved to NMFC 17810.

Clothing  

NMFC 49910: Covering Gloves or Mittens will be amended from the current single-class rating to a two sub-density-driven classification. This item will also be updated to include provisions from canceled items.

NMFC 49900: Canceled item, all provisions moved to NMFC 49910.

NMFC 49905: Canceled item, all provisions moved to NMFC 49910.

Sign Posts, Poles, Brackets, or Bases.  

NMFC 161130: New item. This item will include provisions of the following canceled items:

• NMFC 96740
• NMFC 106340
• NMFC 106840

Drawing Instruments, Optical Goods or Scientific Instruments  

NMFC 57940: The item is being amended from the current two sub-classification, based on the lens finish, to a single class 85 rating.

Compounds

NMFC 50227: Hazardous variations of this product type will no longer be subject to this NMFC item. The classification will depend on the type of hazard class the product is required to bear placards for.

Iron/Steel  

NMFC Item 104030: Anchors, buildings, etc. Class is being increased to 70 from the current 50.

Chemicals  

NMFC 44210: Canceled as obsolete – Cyanides, crude, NOI (Crude Cyanogen Salts, NOI), other than toxic or poison.

Final Thoughts  

The latest NMFC changes will mostly affect businesses who ship commodities like electronics, furniture, building materials and machinery. The NMFTA updates freight classification quarterly, so these changes will be a vital guide to LTL shippers updating their freight classes.  

‍