The biggest change came on 19 July 2025, when Docket 2025-1 took effect. NMFTA's Freight Classification Development Council cancelled many individual commodity items, folded them into broader items and made density the primary factor for many more commodities. The standard density scale those items use grew from 11 to 13 subprovisions, adding class 55 for 35 but less than 50 pounds per cubic foot and class 50 for 50 or more (NMFTA Disposition Bulletin 1371, Docket 2025-1 (21 March 2025); NMFTA FAQ on the 13-subprovision scale (updated 7 April 2026)). A second supplement on 6 December 2025 rewrote the bill of lading rules, including the carrier's right to verify dimensions (NMFTA, updates to Item 250100 in Supplement 2025-2 (updated 16 March 2026)).
For LTL shippers the practical result is simple: for more of your freight, the class now depends on how dense the shipment is as tendered, so the dimensions and weight you record decide what you pay.
What did Docket 2025-1 change?
Docket 2025-1 was a set of amendments discussed at a public meeting of the Freight Classification Development Council on 3 March 2025. The notice of disposition was dated 21 March 2025, the supplement was scheduled for 10 May 2025, and the changes took effect, together with the ClassIT update, on 19 July 2025 (Bulletin 1371).
- Fewer, broader items. The bulletin covers 99 subjects, from alloys and aluminum articles to zinc. In many of them, commodity-specific items were cancelled with a reference to a new, broader item.
- Density first. Many of the new items are classed by density. NMFTA described the aim as making density the primary factor when evaluating freight (NMFTA, NMFC Classification FAQs (updated 7 April 2026)).
- A longer density scale. The standard scale now has 13 subprovisions instead of 11, so the densest freight reaches class 55 or 50 instead of stopping at class 60 (NMFTA FAQ).
- Handling, stowability and liability still count. Items with those concerns are not fully density-based, so the correct item number still matters (NMFTA FAQs).
The rules for calculating density were not part of this docket: NMFTA states that NMFC rule changes were not within its scope (NMFTA, How to classify a mixed-freight package, skid, or crate (updated 16 March 2026)).
What does the new density scale look like?
This is the standard 13-subprovision scale as published in the docket. Each band runs up to, but not including, the next figure (Bulletin 1371):
| Sub | Density (pounds per cubic foot) | Class |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Less than 1 | 400 |
| 2 | 1 but less than 2 | 300 |
| 3 | 2 but less than 4 | 250 |
| 4 | 4 but less than 6 | 175 |
| 5 | 6 but less than 8 | 125 |
| 6 | 8 but less than 10 | 100 |
| 7 | 10 but less than 12 | 92.5 |
| 8 | 12 but less than 15 | 85 |
| 9 | 15 but less than 22.5 | 70 |
| 10 | 22.5 but less than 30 | 65 |
| 11 | 30 but less than 35 | 60 |
| 12 | 35 but less than 50 | 55 |
| 13 | 50 or greater | 50 |
Only the top of the scale changed. Sub 11 used to cover everything at 30 pounds per cubic foot or more at class 60; it now stops at 35, and subs 12 and 13 are new (NMFTA FAQ).
What changed in December 2025?
Supplement 2025-2 took effect on 6 December 2025 and updated Item 250100, the NMFC item that sets the rules for bills of lading (Item 250100 summary). Three of its changes matter for anyone who measures freight:
- Bills of lading in printed, digital or electronic form are covered explicitly.
- The bill of lading must use commodity descriptions that match the tariff, including the NMFC item number, sub provision and class.
- The carrier's right to verify shipment weight now reads "weight and/or dimensions", clarifying that carriers may verify dimensions.
How is density calculated under the NMFC?
Multiply the greatest straight-line length, width and height of the handling unit in inches, including all projections, as tendered to the carrier. Divide by 1,728 to get cubic feet, then divide the weight of the handling unit by the cubic feet (NMFTA, Calculating Density Best Practices (updated 21 October 2026)).
NMFTA's own example is a pallet of boxes measuring 48 x 40 x 45 inches and weighing 450 pounds: 86,400 cubic inches, 50 cubic feet, 9.00 pounds per cubic foot. On the 13-subprovision scale that is sub 6, class 100, if the commodity's item is classed by density.
When a shipment has several handling units, density is calculated on each one, unless the shipping papers show only a total weight; then the total weight and total cube may be used (NMFTA). Step-by-step help is in how to calculate freight density for LTL shipments and how to measure a pallet for LTL shipping.
What should shippers do differently now?
- Check your item numbers. If your bills of lading still quote an item that was cancelled in Docket 2025-1, find the item that replaced it in ClassIT+ (NMFTA, How to determine freight classification and NMFC codes (updated 16 March 2026)).
- Record the sub and the class. Since December 2025 the description on the bill of lading should include the NMFC item number, sub provision and class (Item 250100 summary).
- Measure every handling unit as tendered. Include the pallet, overhang and wrap, because that is how density is defined.
- Watch the breakpoints. A pallet at 9.9 pounds per cubic foot is class 100; at 10.0 it is class 92.5. Freight near a breakpoint is where small measuring errors change the bill.
- Keep the evidence. Carriers may verify dimensions as well as weight, so keep the figures and photos you measured with.
FreightSizer, a free iPhone and iPad app, measures freight with the device's LiDAR scanner, calculates density and determines the class in line with NMFTA guidelines, including the standards effective 19 July 2025. It keeps a log of each measurement that you can export.
How often does the NMFC change?
Twice a year. Each cycle runs from a docket of proposals to a disposition bulletin and a supplement. Supplement 2026-2 takes effect on 12 December 2026 and the 2027 NMFC book on 24 January 2027 (NMFTA, Upcoming Key Dates for the NMFC Data Updates (updated 9 June 2026)).
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the 2025 NMFC changes take effect?
Docket 2025-1 took effect on 19 July 2025 and Supplement 2025-2 on 6 December 2025 (Bulletin 1371; Item 250100 summary).
Did classes 50 and 55 exist before 2025?
Yes, they were already among the NMFC's 18 classes, which run from 50 to 500 (NMFTA, What factors determine NMFC codes? (updated 16 March 2026)). What changed is that the standard density scale now reaches them; before 19 July 2025 it stopped at class 60 for everything at 30 pounds per cubic foot or more (NMFTA FAQ).
Is every commodity now classed by density?
No. Items with handling, stowability or liability concerns are not fully density-based, so look up the item for your commodity first (NMFTA FAQs).
Did the way density is calculated change?
No. NMFTA states that NMFC rule changes were not within the scope of Docket 2025-1 (NMFTA). Density is still the weight of the handling unit divided by its cubic feet at the greatest dimensions (NMFTA density guide).
Can carriers check my dimensions?
Yes. Supplement 2025-2 added "and/or Dimensions" to the carrier's right to verify shipments in Item 250100 (Item 250100 summary). If a carrier's figures differ from yours, see how to dispute a freight reclassification charge.