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Freight Resource Center > Shipping Tools > NMFC #'s & Freight Class
NMFC#'S & FREIGHT CLASS
Do you need us to look up the NMFC# for your shipment?

What is the NMFC?

The NATIONAL MOTOR FREIGHT CLASSIFICATION (NMFC) is a pricing tool that provides a comparison of commodities moving in interstate and intrastate transport. Based on an evaluation of density, stowability, ease of handling and liability, the commodities are grouped into one of 18 classes. The NMFC provides both carriers and shippers with a standard by which to begin pricing negotiations and greatly simplifies the comparative evaluation of the many thousands of products moving in today's marketplace.

CLASSIFICATION AS A GROUP OF COMMODITIES - Classification establishes groupings of virtually all commodities that move in commerce. It is similar in concept to the groupings or grading systems that serve many other industries. Whether purchasing beef from a supermarket, lumber from a lumberyard or diamonds from a jeweler, the customer benefits greatly from the grading or grouping of these commodities that is provided by a standards-setting organization. The difference between freight classification and most other standards-setting activities is that the Classification, while not a rate-making or price-fixing activity itself, is useful in establishing pricing, and this activity is conducted by competitors. This is why the Classification has received a limited exemption from the antitrust laws.

CHANGES TO THE NMFC - Changes to the Classification are made in open public meetings by the National Classification Committee or one of its Classification Panels. Any person may propose a change to the Classification and appear at any meeting or submit statements expressing a point of view regarding a Classification proposal. Further, changes to the NMFC are easy and expeditiously made. And, any interested person who is dissatisfied with the disposition of a proposal by a Classification Panel has the automatic right to appeal the Panel's action, first to the full NCC and then to a government agency.

FREIGHT CLASSIFICATION IS A PRO-COMPETITIVE SYSTEM
- The Classification is a pro-competitive system that catalogues and equitably groups all commodities moving in commerce into 18 classes (classes 50 through 500) according to their "transportability," as reflected by the four composite transportation characteristics prescribed by the ICC and the Department of Transportation's Surface Transportation Board. These characteristics are as follows: 1) density; 2) stowability; 3) ease or difficulty in handling; and 4) liability.

CLASSIFICATION ALSO PROVIDES UNIFORM RULES, PACKAGING PROVISIONS AND BILL OF LADING FORMATS
- These groupings establish equitable relationships between commodities. This information assists the carriers and shippers in negotiating pricing. In fact, the Classification has been supported by the market for many years because it works well for carriers and their customers. The Congress has specifically recognized this feature of the Classification.

THE CLASSIFICATION IS NOT A REVENUE GENERATING DEVICE
- Critics of the Classification erroneously argue that it is used only to generate revenue for the carriers. This is wrong. While the Classification provides information that is used to support pricing determinations, the classification process does not set prices and, in fact, gives no consideration to economic factors such as rates, revenues or charges, etc. In fact, a review of the classification proposals handled over the past 6 years reveals that a substantial majority involved changes other than class increases.

For more information regarding NMFC#'s and classification, visit National Motor Freight Traffic Association at the following
WEBSITE.