What freight class is books, boxed on pallet?
Typically class 65 — around 22.5–30 lb/ft³.
This commodity is classified by DENSITY, which means there is no single correct class for it — the class depends on how your particular shipment is packed. The range above is what typical shipments measure, not a ruling.
Confidence: high. Well documented across multiple carrier and NMFC sources that agree. The binding answer is always the commodity's NMFC item as filed — this page is a planning estimate, not a classification ruling.
Why books, boxed on pallet rates this class
Very tightly packed cartons of paper can run denser still, down toward Class 55.
Where 22.5–30 lb/ft³ lands on the current scale
| If density is | Class | Weight on a standard pallet |
|---|---|---|
| 22.5 – 30 lb/ft³ | 65 | 1,200 – 1,600 lb |
| 30 – 35 lb/ft³ | 60 | 1,600 – 1,867 lb |
A typical books, boxed on pallet shipment spans more than one class band — which is exactly why quoting a single class for this commodity is unreliable. Measure the actual pallet.
How to get the real number
- 1.Measure the extreme outside dimensions of the loaded pallet — including any overhang and the pallet itself.
- 2.Weigh it loaded, pallet included.
- 3.Divide weight by cubic feet to get density in lb/ft³.
- 4.Look the density up on the July 19, 2025 scale — or let the calculator do all four steps.
Category: Other common freight. See the full density chart or how NMFC codes assign class in the first place.