Dense archive pallet
Tightly packed records cartons
48 × 40 × 30 in
Packaged weight: 1800 lb
- Cubic feet
- 33.33
- Density
- 54.00 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
Density-based
50
Document LTL Shipping Guide
Freight Class for Documents
To estimate your shipment, use the Documents Freight Class Calculator.
The Documents Freight Class Examples use the current 13-tier density scale, effective July 19, 2025, and range from Class 50 to 92.5.
These are density-based estimates.
Documents density calculator
Calculate Your Documents Freight Class
A palletized document shipment is preloaded as an example. Adjust the packaged dimensions or weight to calculate your document freight class.
Your result
Cubic feet
46.67
Density
25.71
lb/cu ft
Estimated freight class
65
This is an example density-based estimate. Update any field to calculate your shipment.
Documents shipment examples
Documents Freight Class Examples
These examples use packaged outside dimensions and the site’s density-to-class chart. They are examples only, not fixed classes for all document shipments.
File-box pallet
Mixed business files in lidded cartons
48 × 40 × 42 in
Packaged weight: 1200 lb
- Cubic feet
- 46.67
- Density
- 25.71 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
Density-based
65
Document tubes
Long plans and drawings in supported tubes
72 × 40 × 36 in
Packaged weight: 650 lb
- Cubic feet
- 60.00
- Density
- 10.83 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
Density-based
92.5
Documents shipment comparison
Documents Freight Class by Shipment Type
Document shipments can be extremely dense when archive cartons are tightly packed, but long tubes, loosely filled records boxes, and mixed office files use more cubic space. Moisture protection, carton strength, confidentiality, and pallet containment are important alongside density.
| Documents shipment | Typical packaging | Density tendency | Stackability | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dense archive cartons | Double-wall record boxes arranged on a pallet | Very high | Usually stackable | Use a level interlocked pattern and prevent carton collapse under concentrated paper weight. |
| Mixed file-box pallet | Lidded file cartons stretch-wrapped to a pallet | High | Usually stackable | Keep box lids secured and labels visible without exposing sensitive information. |
| Bound records or ledgers | Reinforced cartons with corner boards | High | Limited | Distribute weight evenly and avoid overfilling individual cartons. |
| Plans, drawings, or document tubes | Bundled tubes in a long carton or crate | Medium | Limited | Block tubes against rolling and support the full shipment length. |
document shipping options
Choosing a Shipping Method for Documents
The right service depends on document size, packaging, stackability, and handling needs.
| Documents shipment | Common shipping option |
|---|---|
| Dense archive cartons on a standard pallet | Standard LTL |
| Mixed records or file-box pallet | Standard LTL with moisture protection |
| Long document tubes or rolled plans | Long-carton or crated LTL |
| Confidential, irreplaceable, or high-value records | Sealed or specialized service with custody review |
Large, irregular, non-stackable, unusually valuable, or specially handled document shipments may need carrier review before booking.
Documents Packaging, Stackability, and Damage Risk
Documents Packaging
- Use strong lidded archive cartons sized for the weight of paper records.
- Interlock boxes, add corner boards, and stretch-wrap the load without crushing carton walls.
- Protect records from rain, condensation, puncture, and unauthorized opening.
Documents Stackability
- Uniform archive cartons can usually support stacking when box ratings and pallet patterns are adequate.
- Do not top-load crushed, overfilled, partially empty, or moisture-damaged records boxes.
- Treat long document-tube cartons as limited-stack unless fully supported and reinforced.
Document Moisture, Security, and Carton Protection
- Protect confidential labels, barcodes, retention identifiers, and chain-of-custody seals.
- Prevent water exposure, carton collapse, torn lids, and loose files during handling.
- Confirm custody, declared value, and special security needs for original or irreplaceable records.
Before Requesting a Documents Freight Quote
How to Measure a Packaged Documents Shipment
- Measure after archive cartons, corner boards, stretch wrap, tube cartons, and pallet protection are installed.
- Include pallet height, tube overhang, protective caps, and any waterproof outer covering.
- Use the combined weight of all records, cartons, tubes, seals, and pallet materials.
Documents Freight Quote Checklist
- Measure the finished pallet, carton group, archive box load, tube bundle, or crate containing the documents.
- Record the total packaged weight of the complete document shipment.
- State whether the finished records pallet has a level, safely stackable top surface.
- Include photos of carton condition, pallet pattern, corner boards, tube protection, and custody seals without exposing confidential contents.
- Confirm liftgate, inside-delivery, limited-access, security, and chain-of-custody requirements for the document shipment.
Freight Planning Calculators
Calculate and Plan Your Documents Shipment
Use the freight class, density, pallet, and linear-feet calculators to plan your packaged LTL shipment.
Freight Class Calculator
Estimate freight class from packaged dimensions, weight, and density.
Freight Density Calculator
Calculate cubic feet and pounds per cubic foot for packaged freight.
Pallet Freight Calculator
Plan pallet dimensions, shipment weight, density, and configuration.
Freight Linear Feet Calculator
Estimate trailer-space usage for pallets and non-stackable freight.
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.