Reels aren’t like boxes or pallets. When freight is wound onto a reel, it’s not always easy to tell if it meets the required capacity level for shipping. That’s the situation Rule 680 was created to address.
Now NMFTA wants to update part of that rule. NMFC Docket 2026-2 proposes a change to Rule 680, Note 3, the section that covers articles tendered on reels. The basic requirement stays the same, reels still need to meet a minimum occupancy level. What’s changing is how shippers determine whether they meet that requirement.
If you ship commodities on reels, understanding this proposal now helps you review your current shipment practices before the final decision is published.
What is NMFC Rule 680 for freight shipped on reels?
NMFC Rule 680, Note 3 explains how freight shipped on reels is evaluated for packaging compliance. It applies to any commodity that’s wrapped or wound onto a reel before shipping.
Right now, a reel shipment is considered compliant if the reel is filled to at least 65% of its capacity. That’s the requirement used to determine if the reel meets the required occupancy level.
If a reel falls below that 65% mark, the shipment is subject to the higher freight class, whether that’s the class for the reel itself or the commodity on it.
This current rule matters because it’s exactly the part of NMFC Docket 2026-2 that proposes a change, specifically how shippers determine whether they’ve met that 65% capacity requirement.
What changes does NMFC Docket 2026-2 propose for Rule 680?
The proposed NMFC Rule 680 update keeps the same 65% capacity requirement that shippers follow today. The change comes in how that capacity level is measured and verified.
NMFTA proposes adding a calculation method to NMFC Rule 680, Note 3, along with a new figure that shows the measurements needed to determine reel occupancy.
Under the proposal, shippers would determine reel occupancy by measuring the distance between the innermost exposed wrap of the commodity and the outermost edge of the reel’s flange. That measurement is then compared with the diameter of the reel’s flange to determine whether the reel meets the compliance requirement.
If the calculation result is equal to or less than 0.35, the reel and its contents would be considered compliant. If the result is greater than 0.35, the gross weight of the reel and the commodity wrapped or wound on it would be subject to the freight class that applies to either the reel or the commodity, whichever is higher.
| Current Rule 680, Note 3 requirement | Proposed Rule 680, Note 3 update |
|---|---|
|
Reel must be filled to not less than 65% of capacity |
Maintains the 65% capacity requirement |
|
Compliance is based on reel occupancy |
Adds a calculation method to determine reel occupancy |
|
No specific measurement method is provided |
Adds measurements and a calculation equation to determine compliance |
Why is NMFTA proposing changes to Rule 680?
NMFTA developed this proposal with the Weighing and Research Council’s Packaging Committee after reviewing how NMFC Rule 680, Note 3 is applied in practice.
A previous proposal related to this rule was withdrawn after concerns that the requirements would be difficult to interpret and apply consistently. The current proposal addresses those concerns by adding a defined method for determining reel occupancy.
By adding an equation and a supporting figure, NMFTA aims to make the requirement clearer and easier for shippers and carriers to apply when reviewing reel shipments.
What does the NMFC Rule 680 update mean for shippers?
For shippers, the main thing to know is that this proposal changes how reel occupancy gets calculated, not whether it’s required. If it moves forward, checking whether your reel shipments meet the required capacity level gets a lot more straightforward.
That makes this a good time to take a look at how you currently handle reel shipments. A few things to review:
- Which products in your operation are shipped on reels and may fall under NMFC Rule 680, Note 3.
- The NMFC rules you currently use for reel shipments
- The types and sizes of reels in your shipments
- How you measure or record reel occupancy today
- Whether your shipment records capture the packaging details needed to support that
No need to change anything yet, though. The proposal hasn’t been finalized, so stick with the existing NMFC requirements until a final decision is published.