Managing freight classifications is changing, requiring logistics teams to adapt and stay informed to maintain accuracy and efficiency. Starting July 19, 2025, the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) is rolling out major changes to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system. These updates will directly impact how LTL shipments are classified, rated and billed, making it essential for Shippers and 3PLs to understand what’s changing and how to prepare.
Keith Peterson, Director of Operations at the NMFTA, recently joined Banyan Technology’s Tire Tracks podcast to discuss what the 2025 NMFC classification changes really mean for the freight industry. As the leader responsible for overseeing the NMFC classifications team, Peterson shared both the reasoning behind the updates and how they were developed.
“The whole point of these changes is to make classification easier and simpler to use for everybody, even someone new to the logistics business,” Peterson explained. He noted that the NMFTA has been transitioning toward a density-based model for several years, but the July 2025 update represents a major leap forward. More than 2,000 item numbers are being moved to full density scales, supported by a newly expanded 13-tier system.
