Why Your Freight Bill Still Needs a Tape Measure

Back when I managed my first dock, I assumed every piece of freight rolling through the doors would look like a glamour shot in a packaging catalog. Then the forklift dropped off a single tractor tire—no pallet, no wrap, just attitude—and my pricing world tilted. That experience is exactly why Karl Manrodt (Professor of Logistics, Georgia College) and I invited Adam Mercer and Larissa Franklin to the second LTL203 Hybrid Session focused on SMC³’s LTL 203 Freight Pricing course. Adam Mercer, Classification Development Manager and Larissa Franklin, Packaging Development Manager, work with the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™ and discussed the hows and whys for the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC®). And with the upcoming overhaul of the NMFC®, it’s more important than ever to understand how the rules mirror the glorious mess we see on the dock and to give shippers a playbook to keep costs (and headaches) down.

From Pallet Perfection to Freight Misfits: A True LTL Snapshot

Take a quick look at the pictures—the top left shows tidy stretch‑wrapped cartons, top right a diesel water pump lashed to a pallet with little more than hope, and the bottom a bundle of pipes spread over three pallets. All are “LTL freight,” and may share space on the same trailer tonight. The NMFC® is built for that reality, classifying products by how they actually behave in transit (i.e. transportability), not how we wish they behaved. (Pro tip: flash this image in your next training—rookies remember pictures better than paragraphs.)

Density: The Diet Plan Your Freight Can’t Ignore

Carriers sell space, so pounds‑per‑cubic‑foot is king. The new 13‑sub density scale going live on July 19^th, 2025 lets you slide a shipment of featherlight shirts (0.9 pcf) or brick‑like electric toasters (15 pcf) into the right freight class without hunting for a dozen item numbers. Higher density often earns lower classes—so tighten the cube: use shorter cartons, collapse voids, even rotate parts if engineering allows. A little densification project on my product line once dropped our freight class from 200 to 125 overnight—worth every piece of dunnage we trimmed.

Shippers take note: You will now need to measure dimensions, weigh handling units, and calculate the density of your freight to be able to accurately class the freight to provide the carriers with correct information on the BOLs. I know another project for your master data team to review. Yuk!

Handling, Stowability, Liability—The Three Headed‑ Risk Monster

See the new hand icon in the image below? It flags freight where sheer bulk, awkward shape, or danger beats density alone. Flat glass over eight feet? Two class bump. Oxidizers that can ruin every adjacent pallet? Extra liability. Walk your floor with these three lenses—how hard to move, how safely it rides, how ugly a spill—and you’ll predict accessorials before they bite. One client tagged every >96inch piece with bright tape; loaders instantly knew “special stow,” damages plummeted.

Packaging PowerUps: Turning ‘Ugly Freight’ into Dock Candy^*

Primary, secondary, tertiary packaging—think of them as rookie, varsity, and pro gear for your product. It provides protection, containment, communication, and convenience. The top image shows the differences and why it’s important to protect what the end consumer will receive or see on the store shelf.  

Then, there’s the NMFC®’s Rule 180 testing certificate, the bottom image. It proves your custom crate or triple‑walled fiberboard box can survive LTL mayhem. I’ve watched carriers refuse pickup on bare‑metal machinery yet smile at the same unit once it wore a plywood “armor suit” and corner blocks. Better packaging reduces liability and damages, may raise the density, will improve stack-ability, and could bump you down a class—paying for itself shipment after shipment.

The 13‑Sub Revolution & ClassIT™: Classification on Cruise Control

The Reimagination Project isn’t just about tables—it’s about tools. The soon to launch ClassIT®+ will let TMSs and dock dimensioners pull the right item number and freight class in real time. Fewer re‑weighs, fewer disputes, faster rating. Meanwhile, consolidation means many legacy items vanish; don’t panic. Check the docket, record the new item once, and let density drive every load thereafter. Resources to get ahead can be found at http://www.nmfcchanges.com . Want to know what’s changing with your products? Go to getclassification.com for the NMFC® Item Lookup Tool.

Wondering how the NMFC® class changes may impact you? This timely whitepaper from SMC³ can help you understand possible impacts, too.

Measure, Pack, Prosper

The NMFC® asks just three things of us: know the true density, respect the risk factors, and package like a pro. Nail those, and you turn what some call “ugly freight” into “predictable revenue”—for you and for the carrier. Grab a tape measure, revisit your packaging spec sheets, and walk the dock with this blog in hand. Your next freight bill—and your ops team—will thank you.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your LTL career, consider exploring SMC³’s LTL Online Education Program. This comprehensive program offers five courses led by industry experts, designed to provide the knowledge and insights you need to excel in the field. And for seasoned professionals consider becoming certified in LTL by earning your CLTL Certification. It’s the perfect way to deepen your understanding of LTL and begin building a career rooted in curiosity, learning, and leadership. Visit https://smc3.com/onlinelearning to learn more and start your journey today.

Image Source: NMFTA™ and used with permission.

*Not all commodities will benefit from a lower class by packaging alone. Always consult the latest version of the NMFC® through ClassIT+.