Estimated class examples
Class 65–175
Based on the sample shipments below
Corrugated and Cardboard Box LTL Shipping Guide
Freight Class for Corrugated and Cardboard Boxes
Corrugated box freight class commonly ranges from Class 65 to Class 175 in the examples below.
Knocked-down sheets
Class 65
Bundled cartons
Class 100
Assembled boxes
Class 175
These are density-based examples. Your final estimate depends on the finished packaged dimensions, total weight, stackability, fragility, value, and handling requirements.
Main class factor
Packaged density
Final dimensions and total weight
Assembly effect
Flat-packed ships denser
Assembled and loosely nested boxes occupy more space
Carrier review
Stackability and damage risk
Moisture, compression, edge damage, and pallet overhang
Corrugated boxes density calculator
Calculate Your Corrugated Boxes Freight Class
Example bundled carton shipment loaded. Adjust the dimensions or weight to calculate your corrugated boxes freight class.
Your result
Cubic feet
53.33
Density
10.03
lb/cu ft
Estimated freight class
100
Example density-based estimate. Update any field to calculate your shipment.
Corrugated Boxes shipment comparison
Corrugated Boxes Freight Class by Packaging Type
Corrugated box freight class can vary substantially with whether material is knocked down, bundled, baled, nested, or assembled. Flat sheets and compressed bundles often ship densely, while empty assembled boxes use far more trailer space per pound.
| Corrugated shipment | Typical packaging | Density tendency | Stackability | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knocked-down corrugated sheets and box blanks | Flat bundles banded to a pallet with top and bottom protection | Higher | Usually stackable | Flat material can produce efficient density when bundles remain square and fully supported. |
| Bundled folded cartons | Strapped bundles or uniform packs secured to a pallet | Medium | Usually stackable | Bundle height, compression, flute type, and pallet footprint can materially change density. |
| Assembled empty boxes and display cartons | Nested, wrapped, or loosely palletized assembled boxes | Lower | Often limited | Large cubic volume and crush sensitivity can restrict top loading and raise the density-based estimate. |
| Baled recovered corrugated cardboard | Compressed bales strapped or wired for handling | Higher | Varies | Bale consistency, moisture, wire condition, and safe forklift access are important planning factors. |
Corrugated Boxes shipping options
Choosing a Shipping Method for Corrugated Boxes
The right service depends on whether the material is flat, bundled, baled, or assembled; plus pallet count, footprint, stackability, moisture exposure, and crush sensitivity.
| Corrugated shipment | Common shipping option |
|---|---|
| Flat box blanks or bundled folded cartons on standard pallets | Standard LTL |
| Baled recovered corrugated cardboard | LTL or partial truckload with bale-handling review |
| Assembled boxes, displays, or low-density nested cartons | LTL with stackability and cube review |
| High-volume, oversized, or non-stackable corrugated loads | Partial truckload or dedicated service |
Wet, unstable, overhanging, loosely stacked, or non-stackable corrugated shipments may require carrier review, additional containment, or a different service type.
Corrugated Boxes shipment examples
Choosing a Shipping Method for Corrugated and Cardboard Boxes
These examples use packaged outside dimensions and the site’s density-to-class chart. They are examples only, not fixed classes for every corrugated or cardboard shipment.
Knocked-down box sheets
Dense flat corrugated blanks banded to a pallet
48 × 40 × 30 in
Packaged weight: 850 lb
- Cubic feet
- 33.33
- Density
- 25.50 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
Density-based
65
Bundled folded cartons
Uniform carton bundles secured to a standard pallet
48 × 40 × 48 in
Packaged weight: 535 lb
- Cubic feet
- 53.33
- Density
- 10.03 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
Density-based
100
Assembled empty boxes
Bulky nested or loose cartons with low packaged density
48 × 48 × 72 in
Packaged weight: 500 lb
- Cubic feet
- 96.00
- Density
- 5.21 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
Density-based
175
Corrugated Packaging
- Keep flat sheets, blanks, and bundles square, dry, and fully supported by the pallet.
- Use banding, stretch wrap, top caps, corner boards, and slip sheets to control movement and edge damage.
- Avoid excessive overhang, unsupported corners, and loose assembled boxes that can shift or collapse.
Corrugated Stackability
- Flat bundles and uniform folded cartons generally stack better than assembled or irregular boxes.
- Confirm compression strength before allowing top loading, especially with tall or lightly filled loads.
- Treat wet, crushed, bowed, overhanging, or loosely nested cartons as limited or non-stackable.
Moisture, Damage, and Liability
- Protect corrugated products from rain, condensation, floor moisture, and contamination.
- Inspect for crushed edges, torn straps, wet spots, collapsed bundles, and protruding wires on bales.
- Document pallet condition and confirm cargo coverage for custom-printed, specialty, or high-value packaging.
Measure the Fully Packaged Corrugated Shipment
- Measure after sheets, bundles, boxes, or bales are fully palletized, strapped, wrapped, and capped.
- Include the pallet, slip sheets, top caps, corner boards, banding, and any overhang.
- Measure to the longest, widest, and tallest packaged point, including bowed cartons or irregular bale edges.
Before Requesting a Corrugated Boxes Freight Quote
- Measure the finished pallet, bundle, bale, or assembled-box load.
- Record the total packaged weight and unit count.
- State whether the shipment is stackable and whether top loading is permitted.
- Identify knocked-down sheets, bundled cartons, assembled boxes, displays, or recovered corrugated bales.
- Note moisture exposure, pallet overhang, crushed edges, loose straps, or unstable stacking.
- Confirm forklift access, loading-dock, liftgate, appointment, or special handling requirements.
Calculate your actual shipment
Calculate Corrugated Boxes Freight Class
The calculator returns cubic feet, pounds per cubic foot, and a density-based freight class estimate for your corrugated or cardboard shipment.
Freight classes shown on this page are density-based estimates for shipment planning. Actual classification may also depend on value, handling requirements, liability, stowability, dimensions, and other commodity-specific factors. Confirm the final freight class with your carrier, broker, or official NMFC resources before shipping.
NMFC® is a registered trademark of the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. FreightClassCalculator.tools is an independent calculator and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or licensed by NMFTA.