NMFTA Proposes Mixed-Pallet Pricing Rewrite—What LTL Shippers Must Model Before December

By Eric Bratton, Founder and Executive Editor, Freight Intel Report

Published August 28, 2026

The National Motor Freight Traffic Association has opened public review of a proposed rewrite to the rules governing mixed less-than-truckload shipments—a change that could shift how shippers document, configure and ultimately pay for multi-commodity pallets.

The proposal is not final. But its operational reach is significant: it would move many mixed handling units toward density-based classification, give carriers defined discretion when shipment data are incomplete and preserve a highest-class override when certain special or non-density-rated freight shares a unitized load.

NMFTA released the 193-page Docket 2026-2 on August 28. The docket contains 33 proposals affecting LTL classification, packaging and commodity groups. Written comments are due September 23, and the Freight Classification Development Center will hold its public meeting September 29. Amendments adopted from the docket are scheduled to take effect December 12, 2026.

What would change under proposed Rule 640

The current rule contains multiple paths for differently classed freight, including separate rating when articles are separately packaged and highest-class treatment for certain mixed packages or pallets.

The proposed language would establish a different default for mixed shipments:

• Each article must be identified separately on the original bill of lading when a shipment contains articles subject to two or more classes.
• Each handling unit would generally be classified under the NMFC’s 13-subprovision density scale.
• When the shipper provides the weight and dimensions of each handling unit on the original BOL, those figures would be used, subject to carrier verification.
• If accurate information is absent, the carrier could calculate density using the shipment’s total weight and overall cube or the weight and dimensions of individual packages or handling units. The parties would have to be notified that the rule was used.
• If a unitized handling unit contains freight with a handling, stowability or liability designation, hazardous-material designation, packaging-based class, greatest-dimension rule or another non-density factor, the entire handling unit could be assessed at the class of its highest-class article.

Why the direction of cost will vary

This is not a universal rate increase or decrease. The outcome depends on pallet density, commodity mix, special-handling characteristics, carrier tariffs and the shipper’s negotiated discounts.

A compact, accurately measured pallet containing ordinary density-rated freight may receive treatment that better reflects its actual cube. A loosely configured pallet, a shipment with missing handling-unit data or a pallet combining ordinary freight with a high-class special item may create greater reclassification and invoice exposure.

The proposal therefore makes warehouse execution part of transportation procurement. Packaging choices, pallet composition and the accuracy of data captured before tender can influence the class that reaches the invoice.

The special-freight override deserves close attention

The highest-class provision is the most consequential exception in the proposal. A single article governed by something other than density could determine the class for the entire unitized handling unit.

Shippers should test whether separating hazardous, fragile, unusually shaped, high-liability or dimension-sensitive freight from otherwise standard commodities produces a lower total transportation cost. The answer will depend on added pallet count, minimum charges and the applicable rate structure—but the analysis should occur before the freight reaches the dock.

Packaging requirements would also tighten

Proposed Item 680 would require packing devices in unused space between inner packages and the top of a fiberboard outer container when freight is unitized on pallets, platforms, skids or racks. Those devices would need sufficient strength and design to prevent the outer container from collapsing when other freight is loaded on top.

That language connects classification to claims prevention and trailer utilization. Shippers opposing a packaging requirement are being asked by NMFTA to support comments with current packaging methods and damage or claims experience—not general objections.

Who needs to review the wider docket

Beyond mixed shipments, Docket 2026-2 includes proposals involving vehicle parts, textiles, building woodwork, glassware, shades and blinds, farm equipment, personal-care products, hazardous materials and numerous industrial products.

That makes the docket relevant to retailers, automotive suppliers, building-products companies, furniture and home-goods shippers, industrial manufacturers, consumer-products companies, LTL carriers, brokers, freight-audit teams and TMS providers.

Five actions for LTL shippers now

1. Identify mixed-SKU and mixed-commodity pallets. Determine how often multiple classes share one handling unit.
2. Capture packaged dimensions and verified weight by handling unit. Do not rely only on shipment-level totals.
3. Flag exceptions before palletization. Separate freight governed by hazardous, handling, stowability, liability, packaging or dimensional rules for cost modeling.
4. Test invoice outcomes. Run representative shipments through the proposed density scale and current contract discounts instead of assuming the change is favorable or punitive.
5. Submit evidence before September 23. Comments should include density, handling, stowability, liability, packaging performance and claims data that the FCDC can evaluate.

What happens next

NMFTA will accept comments until 5:00 p.m. Eastern on September 23. The public meeting follows September 29, the disposition bulletin is scheduled for October 9 and the supplement is scheduled for November 12. Any resulting amendments are scheduled to become effective December 12.

Freight Intel Report will track the disposition bulletin and identify which provisions survive the review process. Until then, shippers should treat the docket as a planning and comment opportunity—not as a final billing rule.

Primary sources: NMFTA announcement and comment instructions; Docket 2026-2; NMFC update calendar.

Additional context: Trucking Dive’s March analysis of the Rule 640 proposal.