What freight class are books?

Cartoned books on pallets typically rate class 60 (30 - 35 pcf); mixed printed matter runs class 55 - 65. The exact class depends on the measured density of your packaged shipment.

How do I find the exact class for my books shipment?

Measure the packaged dimensions and weight, compute pounds per cubic foot, and read the current 13-band NMFC density scale - or use the free calculator on this site. Confirm the NMFC item number with your carrier for the BOL.

Did the 2025 NMFC changes affect books?

Docket 2025-1 (July 2025) moved roughly 2,000 commodity listings to density-based classification and rebuilt the density scale to 13 bands, so most freight - including this category - now classes primarily by measured density.

Freight Class for Books: Typical Classes & How to Verify

Why books rate where they do

Books pack into one of the denser everyday pallets in LTL: full cartons stacked tight usually land at 30 - 35 pcf, class 60, and heavy coated-paper stock can push past 35 pcf into class 55.

Worked example. A pallet of cartoned books: 48 × 40 × 40 in, 1550 lb. That is 44.4 cu ft and 1550 lb → 34.88 pcf → class 60. Run your own numbers →

Relevant class pages: class 60 · class 55 · class 65.

What moves the number

The risk is the partial pallet: a half-loaded pallet with a pyramid of cartons measures the same footprint at half the weight and can fall a band. Cube out the pallet or shrink the footprint.

Measure, don't assume. Since NMFC Docket 2025-1 (July 2025) most commodities class by measured density on a 13-band scale. The ranges above are typical, not guaranteed — your packaging decides your density. Calculate your actual class →

Freight class for books

Why books rate where they do

What moves the number