Four-drum pallet
Four filled 55-gallon drums on a reinforced pallet
48 × 48 × 40 in
Packaged weight: 2000 lb
- Cubic feet
- 53.33
- Density
- 37.50 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
Density-based
55
Oil Drum LTL Shipping Guide
Freight Class for Drums of Oil
To estimate your shipment, use the Drums of Oil Freight Class Calculator.
The Drums of Oil Freight Class Examples use the current 13-tier density scale, effective July 19, 2025, and range from Class 55 to 70.
These are density-based estimates.
Drums of Oil density calculator
Calculate Your Drums of Oil Freight Class
A palletized oil-drum shipment is preloaded as an example. Adjust the packaged dimensions or weight to calculate your oil drum freight class.
Your result
Cubic feet
53.33
Density
37.50
lb/cu ft
Estimated freight class
55
This is an example density-based estimate. Update any field to calculate your shipment.
Drums of Oil shipment examples
Drums of Oil 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 drums of oil shipments.
Two-drum pallet
Two filled drums with containment and banding
48 × 40 × 40 in
Packaged weight: 1050 lb
- Cubic feet
- 44.44
- Density
- 23.63 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
Density-based
65
Lubricant cases
Cases of packaged oil and lubricants
48 × 40 × 48 in
Packaged weight: 1000 lb
- Cubic feet
- 53.33
- Density
- 18.75 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
Density-based
70
Drums of Oil shipment comparison
Drums of Oil Freight Class by Shipment Type
Oil shipments are usually dense, but class guidance changes with drum count, pallet footprint, outer containment, pails, cases, and unused space. Secure closures, compatible containers, secondary containment, product documentation, and carrier acceptance must be addressed separately from density.
| Drums of Oil shipment | Typical packaging | Density tendency | Stackability | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Four 55-gallon drums | Four steel or plastic drums secured to a reinforced pallet | Very high | Limited | Use drum restraints, corner protection, and a pallet rated for the liquid weight. |
| Two 55-gallon drums | Paired drums with banding and containment tray | High | Limited | Prevent drum movement and account for unused pallet space in the outside cube. |
| Oil pails | Lidded pails arranged in layers on a pallet | High | May be stackable | Use layer pads and keep pails upright within manufacturer stacking limits. |
| Cases of packaged lubricants | Corrugated cases with inner bottles on a pallet | High | Usually stackable | Protect caps and cartons from compression, puncture, and leakage. |
drums of oil shipping options
Choosing a Shipping Method for Drums of Oil
The right service depends on drums of oil size, packaging, stackability, and handling needs.
| Drums of Oil shipment | Common shipping option |
|---|---|
| Four-drum pallet with secure containment | Standard or heavy LTL with product review |
| One or two oil drums on a pallet | LTL with drum and containment review |
| Palletized pails or lubricant cases | Standard LTL |
| Regulated, flammable, used, or contaminated oil | Carrier-approved regulated-material service |
Large, irregular, non-stackable, unusually valuable, or specially handled drums of oil shipments may need carrier review before booking.
Drums of Oil Packaging, Stackability, and Damage Risk
Drums of Oil Packaging
- Use compatible, closed, undamaged drums with caps, bungs, rings, and seals properly secured.
- Restrain each drum to a reinforced pallet and add secondary containment when required.
- Keep labels, orientation marks, product identification, and required shipping documentation visible and protected.
Drums of Oil Stackability
- Do not assume filled drums are stackable; follow drum, pallet, and carrier limits.
- Use drum caps, rigid decks, or engineered systems when approved top loading is required.
- Cases and pails may stack only within package compression and layer-pattern ratings.
Oil Drum Leakage, Containment, and Carrier Review
- Inspect for leaks, bulging, corrosion, damaged bungs, loose lids, and incompatible packaging.
- Protect containers from puncture, tipping, heat exposure, and contact with incompatible products.
- Confirm whether the oil is new, used, contaminated, regulated, or subject to carrier restrictions before tender.
Before Requesting a Drums of Oil Freight Quote
How to Measure a Packaged Drums of Oil Shipment
- Measure after drums, pails, cases, containment trays, banding, caps, and pallet protection are installed.
- Include pallet overhang, drum tops, spill-control materials, corner boards, and outer wrap.
- Use the combined weight of the oil, containers, containment materials, and pallet.
Drums of Oil Freight Quote Checklist
- Measure the finished pallet, drum group, pail load, case pallet, overpack, or containment system holding the oil.
- Record the total packaged weight of the complete oil shipment, including containers and spill-control materials.
- State whether the oil drums, pails, or cases have an approved stack configuration or require no-top-load handling.
- Include photos of drum condition, bungs, lids, seals, labels, banding, containment, and pallet support.
- Confirm product type, carrier acceptance, liftgate, forklift, regulated-material, and documentation requirements for the oil shipment.
Freight Planning Calculators
Calculate and Plan Your Drums of Oil 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.