Techniques are described for selectively filtering data, such as network packets, that correspond to forwarding tables. For example, a router receives packets from an input interface of an interface card (IFC). The router applies one or more input interface filters associated with the input interface that received the packet. The router selectively associates the packet with a forwarding table, applies a corresponding forwarding filter, and determines the output interface corresponding to the next hop of the packet. The router may further apply one or more output interface filters associated with the output interface, and forwards the packet in accordance with the respective forwarding information.