What is freight class 250?
2 to under 4 lb/ft³ — sub-provision 3 of the NMFC density scale.
A shipment rates class 250 when its density falls in that band. On a standard 48 × 40 × 48 in pallet (53.3 ft³) that is roughly 107 to 213 lb . Density is total weight divided by total cubic feet, including the pallet.
Class 250 in the density scale
| Sub | Density | Class | Pallet weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 – 2 lb/ft³ | 300 | 53 – 107 lb |
| 3 | 2 – 4 lb/ft³ | 250 ← this class | 107 – 213 lb |
| 4 | 4 – 6 lb/ft³ | 175 | 213 – 320 lb |
Bounds are inclusive at the bottom and exclusive at the top ("X but less than Y"). Pallet weights assume a standard 48 × 40 × 48 in pallet at 53.3 ft³.
How to move out of class 250
To reach class 175 (cheaper): get density to 4 lb/ft³ or above — about 213 lb on a standard pallet. Either add weight in the same cube, or shrink the cube at the same weight: tighter stacking, no pallet overhang, disassembly.
You slip to class 300 (dearer) if density falls below 2 lb/ft³ — under about 107 lb on the same pallet. Oversized cartons, void fill and pallet overhang are what usually cause this, not the goods themselves.
What typically ships at class 250
- Bamboo and rattan furniture
- Mattresses and box springs
- Flat-screen televisions
- Large light assemblies
Examples are illustrative of typical density, not classification rulings. A commodity's actual class comes from its NMFC item; density decides it only where that item is density-based.
The class 250 mistake worth knowing
Class 250 covers 2 to under 4 lb/ft³. At this density the pallet cube dominates the bill completely — a 48×40×48 pallet only needs about 107 lb to stay out of class 300, so freight this light is priced on space, not weight.
Measure your actual shipment with the freight class calculator — it applies the July 19, 2025 scale and shows how far you are from the next class in both directions.