Freight Class for Bicycles
Boxed bicycles usually rate freight class 125 to 250, because a bike box is mostly air. A 45 × 12 × 30 inch bike box packed to its 65 lb limit measures 6.9 lb/ft³, class 125; a larger 56 × 21 × 32 inch box at 75 lb measures 3.4 lb/ft³, class 250. E-bikes also fall under federal lithium battery rules as UN3171 battery-powered vehicles.
How bike boxes measure
Bike Flights sells shipping boxes with a set weight limit. Its medium box is 45 × 12 × 30 inches and takes up to 65 lb packed, which is at most 6.9 lb/ft³, class 125. Its extra-large box is 56 × 21 × 32 inches and takes up to 75 lb, at most 3.4 lb/ft³, class 250. A lighter bike in the same box measures even lower.
E-bikes are heavier but need bigger boxes. Upway, which resells e-bikes, ships them in a 62 × 13 × 33 inch box. An 88 lb Aventon Abound LR cargo bike in a box that size would measure about 5.7 lb/ft³, class 175; a 58.2 lb Aventon Pace 4 about 3.8 lb/ft³, class 250.
Worked examples
Box sizes and weight limits come from Bike Flights and Upway; e-bike weights from Aventon. The e-bike example pairs those figures and is an estimate.
Medium bike box at its limit — class 125
Bike Flights medium box: 45 × 12 × 30 in, packed to its 65 lb limit.
45 × 12 × 30 = 16,200 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 9.4 ft³. Density = 65 lb ÷ 9.4 ft³.
6.9 lb/ft³ → class 125. A lighter bike in the same box rates higher.
Extra-large bike box at its limit — class 250
Bike Flights extra-large box: 56 × 21 × 32 in, packed to its 75 lb limit.
56 × 21 × 32 = 37,632 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 21.8 ft³. Density = 75 lb ÷ 21.8 ft³.
3.4 lb/ft³ → class 250.
Cargo e-bike — class 175
Say an 88 lb Aventon Abound LR ships in a 62 × 13 × 33 in box like Upway's e-bike box.
62 × 13 × 33 = 26,598 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 15.4 ft³. Density = 88 lb ÷ 15.4 ft³ (box weight not included).
5.7 lb/ft³ → class 175, plus the lithium battery rules.
E-bikes are battery-powered vehicles
The Hazardous Materials Table lists "Battery-powered vehicle or Battery-powered equipment" as UN3171, Class 9. Under 49 CFR 173.220, the lithium battery must be fastened in the bike and protected from damage and short circuits, and a bike that could be handled on its side must be in a strong, rigid outer box.
If the battery is taken off the bike and packed separately in the same box, the package is consigned as UN3481, lithium ion batteries packed with equipment, and must follow 49 CFR 173.185. Tell the carrier either way; a lithium battery is not ordinary freight.
Packing for LTL
A single boxed bike is light and easy to damage on a busy dock, so stand boxes upright and band several together on a pallet when you can. A pallet of bike boxes is measured as one unit, so fill the pallet's footprint and keep the boxes square.
Write the number of boxes and their total weight on the bill of lading. For e-bikes, add the battery description the carrier asks for, and check whether the carrier charges a hazmat fee.
Check your bike shipment
Enter the box size and packed weight, or the pallet's size and total weight if several boxes ship together.
Density-based estimate. Some commodities carry a fixed NMFC class — check our freight class by commodity pages.
Estimated Freight Class
Density
6.99
lb/ft³
Volume
53.33
ft³
Weight
373
lb
6–8 lb/ft³ → Class 125
NMFC density scale (Docket 2025-1, effective July 19, 2025)
Pre-July-2025 table: class 150. Use it only if your carrier contract still prices on the old table.
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 is a bicycle?
Usually class 125 to 250. A bike box packed to its weight limit measures 3.4 to 6.9 lb/ft³ depending on its size, and a lighter bike in the same box rates higher.
How big is a bike shipping box?
Bike Flights sells a 45 × 12 × 30 inch medium box (65 lb limit) and a 56 × 21 × 32 inch extra-large box (75 lb limit). Upway ships e-bikes in a 62 × 13 × 33 inch box.
Is an e-bike hazmat for shipping?
Yes. It is a battery-powered vehicle, UN3171, Class 9, and the battery must be secured and protected under 49 CFR 173.220. A battery packed separately in the same box is UN3481.
Can I ship the e-bike battery in the same box?
Yes, but the package is then consigned as UN3481, lithium ion batteries packed with equipment, and must follow 49 CFR 173.185.