ATLANTA — The National Motor Freight Traffic Association will solicit input from LTL shippers, carriers and third-party logistics providers ahead of National Motor Freight Classification changes this summer.
A docket detailing the first set of proposed changes will be released on Thursday, opening a public feedback period through Feb. 25, NMFTA officials said during a presentation at SMC3 Jump Start 2025.
The Freight Classification Development Council will host a public meeting on March 3 for additional feedback. A disposition bulletin issued around two weeks later will contain the final proposed changes.
“If you're a carrier, please make sure you're communicating to your shippers,” said NMFTA COO Joe Ohr. “Shippers, start getting dimensions on your freight as soon as possible. 3PLs, work with your customers. Understand what those changes are. Don't wait till last minute.”
The NMFC will shift to a single density-based scale in an effort to simplify the classification process for shipments that have no handling, stowability or liability issues. Initially scheduled for May, the long-discussed changes were postponed until July 19 to allow the industry more preparation time.
Standing room-only attendance at two separate conference panels about the freight classification updates during the LTL trade show indicated the increasing attention being paid to the looming changes.
“What you're shipping can be called so many different things,” Ohr said in the first session. “Really, what we're trying to simplify is, make it simple to look something up.”
The new system will improve pricing precision, said Clete Cordero, VP of pricing and traffic at Southeastern Freight Lines, during the second panel. Cordero likened the shift to a frozen yogurt shop selling yogurt and toppings by the ounce rather than a restaurant offering a single-priced, all-you-can-eat buffet.
Cordero said he’d recently talked to a shipper anticipating savings from moving away from Freight of All Kinds, a general, flat-rate classification for shipments of various commodities used by many LTL shippers.
“Now there's an incentive for them to improve their packaging,” Cordero said.
The move to 13 freight classes from the 11 existing classes could allow shippers with heavy, dense freight to lower their rates by shifting it to a lower class, SMC3 Chief Commercial Officer Brian Thompson said.
Density-based classification likely will reduce reliance on FAKs, which have become a crutch for shippers, said Matthew Zielke, director of national accounts for Glen Raven Logistics.
“They’re definitely steps in the right direction,” said Zielke, who attended both sessions, in an interview.
