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What is NMFTA’s Role
in Freight Digitalization?

NMFTA leads the freight industry’s digital transformation through the Digital Standards Development Council (DSDC).

By developing and maintaining standardized application programing interfaces (APIs) for less-than-truckload (LTL) and full truckload (FTL) data exchange, NMFTA enables carriers, shippers, and logistics providers to automate transactions, improve visibility, and achieve full interoperability across the North American supply chain.

Connecting the Industry Through Digital Standards

For more than 70 years, NMFTA has defined the standards that keep LTL freight moving safely and efficiently. Today, that leadership extends into digitalization—where the association’s Digital Standards Development Council (DSDC), which is comprised of the Digital LTL Council and Digital FTL Council, drives open, interoperable standards that power automation, transparency, and connectivity for both segments of the industry.

Through digital standardization, NMFTA is helping the industry transition from paper processes to API-driven data exchange—reducing errors, accelerating transactions, and enabling smarter logistics decisions.

Why Digitalization Matters

  • Interoperability across systems: APIs allow carriers, shippers, and logistics providers to exchange data in real time—regardless of platform.
  • Efficiency at every step: Digital standards streamline transactions like bills of lading, pickup requests, and freight tracking.
  • Data accuracy and transparency: Reduce manual entry errors and improve visibility throughout the shipment lifecycle.
  • Scalability for the future: Digital standards are designed to evolve with new technologies, regulatory changes, and market needs.
  • Industry Collaboration: The DSDC unites stakeholders to develop and maintain shared standards that benefit the entire freight ecosystem.

Freight digitalization is the process of replacing manual and paper-based workflows with standardized, API-enabled data exchange between transportation systems.

How NMFTA Leads Digitalization

Freight operations have long relied on fragmented systems and inconsistent data formats, slowing efficiency and limiting visibility.

NMFTA, through the Digital Standards Development Council (DSDC), provides a unified framework of APIs and
technical standards that enable seamless communication across carriers, shippers, and a myriad of logistics partners.

LTL API Standards

Standardized connections for electronic Bills of Lading (eBOL), pickup requests, and tracking updates.

FTL API Standards

Expanding digital efficiency to the truckload sector with appointment scheduling, visibility, and freight charge exchange APIs.

Be Part of Freight’s Digital Transformation

Join the growing community of logistics partners shaping the next era of logistics.
Learn, collaborate, and adopt open digital standards through the DSDC.

Get Involved

Looking for a Knowledgeable Speaker?

Want to have digital standards and digitalization be a session at your conference? Need a subject matter expert to speak on a webinar?

Tap NMFTA’s digitalization team for authoritative and industry-leading insight on this topic and freight classification as well as cybersecurity.

Request a Speaker

Access the DSDC Quarterly Newsletter

The NMFTA’s DSDC Newsletter is your one-stop shop for the latest news and
insights on less-than-truckload (LTL) and full truckload (FTL) digitalization.

Newsletter Archive

More Resources for You

National Motor Freight Classification® (NMFC)®

Standard Point Location Code® (SPLC)®

Digital Standards Development Council (DSDC)