Drums and totes
Dense oil containers on a compact pallet base
48 × 40 × 40 in
Packaged weight: 2300 lb
- Cubic feet
- 44.44
- Density
- 51.75 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
Density-based
50
Oil LTL Shipping Guide
Freight Class for Oil
To estimate your shipment, use the Oil Freight Class Calculator.
The Oil Freight Class Examples use the current 13-tier density scale, effective July 19, 2025, and range from Class 50 to 70.
These are density-based estimates.
Oil density calculator
Calculate Your Oil Freight Class
A palletized oil shipment is preloaded as an example. Adjust the packaged dimensions or weight to calculate your oil freight class.
Your result
Cubic feet
53.33
Density
35.63
lb/cu ft
Estimated freight class
55
This is an example density-based estimate. Update any field to calculate your shipment.
Oil shipment examples
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 oil shipments.
Pails and cases
Packaged oil on a standard pallet
48 × 40 × 48 in
Packaged weight: 1800 lb
- Cubic feet
- 53.33
- Density
- 33.75 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
Density-based
60
Light packaged oils
Smaller bottles or display packs with more cube
48 × 40 × 60 in
Packaged weight: 1150 lb
- Cubic feet
- 66.67
- Density
- 17.25 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
Density-based
70
Oil shipment comparison
Oil Freight Class by Shipment Type
Packaged oils are usually dense, but freight class and handling depend on container type, void space, pallet pattern, closure integrity, leakage controls, and product classification. Drums and totes often have high density but require careful upright securement.
| Oil shipment | Typical packaging | Density tendency | Stackability | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case-packed bottles or jugs | Partitioned cartons on a pallet | Very high | Usually stackable | Protect caps and use compatible liners or trays. |
| Pails | Sealed pails on containment tray | Very high | Limited | Secure lids and prevent puncture or sliding. |
| Steel or plastic drums | Drum pallet with restraints | Very high | Limited | Protect bungs and restrain each drum. |
| IBC tote | Caged tote on dedicated base | Very high | Usually non-stackable | Protect valve and verify tote condition. |
oil shipping options
Choosing a Shipping Method for Oil
The right service depends on oil size, packaging, stackability, and handling needs.
| Oil shipment | Common shipping option |
|---|---|
| Case-packed oils | Standard LTL |
| Pails or drums on containment pallet | LTL with handling review |
| IBC tote | LTL with equipment review |
| Regulated, used, or contaminated oil | Hazmat or specialized service |
Large, irregular, non-stackable, unusually valuable, or specially handled oil shipments may need carrier review before booking.
Oil Packaging, Stackability, and Damage Risk
Oil Packaging
- Use compatible sealed bottles, jugs, pails, drums, or totes with caps, lids, bungs, and valves protected.
- Add liners, trays, absorbent material, overpacks, or secondary containment appropriate to the oil and container.
- Keep containers upright and secure them against sliding, puncture, impact, and pallet-edge contact.
Oil Stackability
- Uniform sealed cases may stack when carton compression strength and cap orientation are verified.
- Pails and drums should accept top load only when container ratings, pallet pattern, and restraints allow it.
- Treat exposed-valve totes, mixed-height loads, damaged containers, and overpacks as non-stackable.
Oil Leakage, Closure, Containment, and Regulatory Review
- Prevent leaks, punctures, cap loosening, bung damage, valve impact, and contamination between incompatible products.
- Verify product type, flash point, used-oil status, hazardous classification, and spill-response requirements.
- Document oil type, viscosity or grade, container count, fill size, seal condition, labels, and safety data when applicable.
Before Requesting an Oil Freight Quote
How to Measure a Packaged Oil Shipment
- Measure after all cases, pails, drums, totes, trays, overpacks, and securement are installed.
- Include valves, bung covers, spill trays, absorbent packs, corner boards, and pallet overhang.
- Use the total packaged weight of oil, containers, containment materials, pallet, and securement.
Oil Freight Quote Checklist
- Measure the finished case pallet, pail load, drum group, overpack, or tote containing the oil.
- Record the total packaged weight and container count for the complete oil shipment.
- State whether cases or containers are rated for stacking or require upright no-top-load handling.
- Include photos of caps, lids, bungs, valves, labels, seals, containment trays, and pallet securement.
- Confirm product classification, used-oil status, hazmat, spill-containment, liftgate, and appointment requirements.
Freight Planning Calculators
Calculate and Plan Your 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.