Freight Class for Appliances
Boxed home appliances usually rate freight class 100 to 175 on the NMFC density scale, because each carton holds a hollow cabinet. A Samsung front-load washer in its carton measures 8.3 lb/ft³, class 100; a French-door refrigerator measures 5.2 lb/ft³, class 175. Strapping the refrigerator to a full-size pallet drops it to class 250, so ship appliances on their own base when you can.
Why appliances rate high
Samsung's spec sheets give the shipping size and weight of each model. A 22 cu. ft. French-door refrigerator ships in a carton 30½ × 71⅞ × 36¼ inches at 237.2 lb, which is only 5.2 lb/ft³. A front-load washer is denser, at 8.3 lb/ft³, because a heavy drum and motor sit in a smaller box.
So the same truckload can mix classes. A washer can rate class 100 while the refrigerator next to it rates class 175, and each carton is billed on its own density.
Worked examples
Carton sizes and shipping weights come from Samsung's published spec sheets for each model.
French-door refrigerator — class 175
Samsung RF22A4221SR in its carton: 30½ × 71⅞ × 36¼ in, 237.2 lb.
30.5 × 71.875 × 36.25 = 79,467 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 46.0 ft³. Density = 237.2 lb ÷ 46.0 ft³.
5.2 lb/ft³ → class 175. On a 48 × 40 pallet the unit measures 3.2 lb/ft³, class 250.
Front-load washer — class 100
Samsung WF45R6100AP in its carton: 29⅜ × 42⅜ × 34⅛ in, 205 lb.
29.375 × 42.375 × 34.125 = 42,478 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 24.6 ft³. Density = 205 lb ÷ 24.6 ft³.
8.3 lb/ft³ → class 100.
Electric range — class 125
Samsung NE63A6711SS in its carton: 33 1/16 × 50 9/16 × 30 5/16 in, 187 lb.
33.06 × 50.56 × 30.31 = 50,674 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 29.3 ft³. Density = 187 lb ÷ 29.3 ft³.
6.4 lb/ft³ → class 125. A Samsung dishwasher carton (26 × 35 × 29⅛ in, 82 lb) is 5.3 lb/ft³, class 175.
A pallet can cost you two classes
Many appliances ship as single cartons with their own base. Strapping a refrigerator to a 48 × 40 pallet adds about 4¾ inches of height and the whole pallet footprint, and the same refrigerator drops to about 3.2 lb/ft³, class 250.
Height matters too. XPO's tariff counts any article 75 inches or taller as 96 inches. The refrigerator's carton is just under 72 inches on its own, but on a pallet it stands about 76½ inches, so XPO would bill it as 96 inches tall.
Handling rules from the makers
GE Appliances says French-door, bottom-freezer and compact refrigerators must always stay upright; they can be tilted to fit through a door. If a refrigerator does ride on its side, GE says to stand it upright for as long as it lay down before plugging it in, and for 24 hours if it was on its side for more than a day. Mark refrigerator cartons "this side up" and "do not lay down".
For front-load washers, GE says to drain the washer and put the shipping bolts, spacers and clamps back in before a move, to stop the drum from being damaged.
Check your appliance's class
Enter the carton's size, or the pallet's size and height from the floor if it ships on one, and the shipping weight. The calculator uses the 13-tier NMFC density scale.
Density-based estimate. Some commodities carry a fixed NMFC class — check our freight class by commodity pages.
Estimated Freight Class
Density
9
lb/ft³
Volume
53.33
ft³
Weight
480
lb
8–10 lb/ft³ → Class 100
NMFC density scale (Docket 2025-1, effective July 19, 2025)
Free PDF includes a watermark. Pro removes it & adds your brand.
Estimates only — verify freight class/NMFC and chargeable weight with your carrier.
Uses the 13-tier NMFC density scale (Docket 2025-1). See the full freight class chart.
Frequently asked questions
What freight class are appliances?
Usually class 100 to 175. In their cartons, a Samsung front-load washer measures 8.3 lb/ft³ (class 100), an electric range 6.4 lb/ft³ (class 125) and a French-door refrigerator 5.2 lb/ft³ (class 175).
What freight class is a refrigerator?
A 22 cu. ft. French-door refrigerator in its carton is about 5.2 lb/ft³, class 175. On a 48 × 40 pallet the same unit measures about 3.2 lb/ft³, class 250.
Can a refrigerator be shipped lying down?
GE Appliances says French-door, bottom-freezer and compact models must always stay upright. If a refrigerator has been on its side, stand it upright as long as it lay down before plugging it in, or 24 hours if it was down for more than a day.
How much does a washing machine weigh for shipping?
A Samsung 4.5 cu. ft. front-load washer ships at 205 lb in a 29⅜ × 42⅜ × 34⅛ inch carton. Put its shipping bolts back in before a move, as GE advises for front-load washers.
Should appliances go on a pallet?
Only if the carrier or receiver needs it. A pallet bigger than the carton adds empty space and height, which lowers the density and can push a tall unit past a carrier's height rule, such as XPO's 75-inch limit.