Jump to content
🚛
Streamline your cross-border operation. From ACE & ACI eManifests to PARS tracking and U.S. In-Bond filing, BorderConnect is the fastest way to cross.
Start Free Trial

National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) (Customs Glossary)

From BorderConnect Wiki

🔖 This article is part of the Customs Glossary Guide

National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA)

The governing body for freight classification (NMFC) and carrier identification (SCAC) in North America.

Type: Industry Association Region: North America

Overview

The NMFTA logo

The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. It serves as the central authority for the motor freight industry, setting the standards for how freight is classified, packaged, and identified across North America.

For cross-border carriers, the NMFTA is most critical because it is the issuing body for the Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC), a unique identifier required by U.S. Customs (CBP) for all commercial border crossings.

Cybersecurity Role: In recent years, the NMFTA has expanded its mission to include heavy vehicle cybersecurity, hosting the annual "Truck Hacking" conference and providing research to protect commercial vehicles from digital threats.

The Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC)

The Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) is a unique two-to-four-letter code used to identify transportation companies. It is the "fingerprint" of a carrier in the computer systems of Customs, port authorities, and major shippers.

Role in Border Crossing

  • U.S. Customs (ACE): A SCAC is mandatory for all carriers crossing into the United States. It is used as the prefix for the PAPS Number (e.g., SCAC + 123456) and to identify the carrier in the ACE Portal.
  • Canada Customs (ACI): While Canada uses its own "Carrier Code," many carriers choose to match their Canadian Carrier Code to their US SCAC for simplicity.

Renewal Requirements

Unlike a DOT number, a SCAC code is not a one-time registration. It must be renewed annually. If a SCAC expires, U.S. Customs will block the carrier's ACE manifest data, stopping trucks at the border.

Freight Classification (NMFC)

The NMFTA publishes the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC), a standard that groups commodities into one of 18 classes (ranging from Class 50 to Class 500).

This system allows LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) carriers to price freight fairly based on four "transportability" characteristics:

  • Density: Weight per cubic foot. (Higher density = Lower class/cheaper rate).
  • Handling: Ease of loading/unloading.
  • Stowability: Can it be stacked? Does it have awkward shapes?
  • Liability: Value of the goods and risk of theft or damage.

Usage in BorderConnect

In BorderConnect, the SCAC code is the foundation of your account setup for U.S. shipments.

  • Company Settings: You must enter your valid NMFTA-issued SCAC in the "Company Details" section. This automatically prefixes all ACE Shipment Control Numbers (SCNs) with your code.
  • PAPS Labels: When printing PAPS Stickers or generating lead sheets, BorderConnect uses the stored SCAC to generate the compliant barcode.
  • Code Mismatch Alerts: If your SCAC in BorderConnect does not match the SCAC on your driver's paperwork, the software will alert you to potential border blocks.

Official Resources

📱

eManifesting in your pocket. Process ACE & ACI eManifests, track shipments in real-time, and upload documents instantly—anytime, anywhere.

Download on theApp Store GET IT ONGoogle Play

Retrieved from "https://wiki.borderconnect.com/index.php?title=National_Motor_Freight_Traffic_Association_(NMFTA)_(Customs_Glossary)&oldid=3232"