Freight Class for Canned Food
Cased canned food usually rates freight class 55, because cans and liquid pack densely. A Del Monte case of six #10 cans weighs 45.26 lb in under a cubic foot, and a full pallet of 56 cases measures about 42 lb/ft³. The bigger risks are weight and temperature: a pallet passes 2,500 lb, and makers list storage ranges such as 45 to 110 °F.
Why canned food is dense
Foodservice makers publish their case specs. Del Monte packs six #10 cans of corn in a case 18.94 × 12.69 × 7.13 inches that weighs 45.26 lb, and stacks 56 cases on a pallet, 8 per layer and 7 layers high. Conagra packs 24 cans of Hunt's diced tomatoes in a case of 25.2 lb, 88 to a pallet.
Each case measures 44 to 47 lb/ft³, and even with the pallet deck the full pallet stays near 37 to 42 lb/ft³. That is class 55, low on the scale. A full pallet of #10 cans weighs over 2,500 lb, so check the pallet's load rating before the class.
Worked examples
Case sizes, weights and pallet patterns come from Del Monte and Conagra foodservice product pages; the pallet deck is a standard 48 × 40 GMA pallet.
Pallet of #10 corn — class 55
56 Del Monte cases of 6 × #10 cans (45.26 lb each), 7 layers of 7.13 in on a 37 lb GMA pallet: about 54.7 inches high, 2,572 lb.
48 × 40 × 54.66 = 104,947 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 60.7 ft³. Density = 2,572 lb ÷ 60.7 ft³.
42.3 lb/ft³ → class 55.
Pallet of 24-can cases — class 55
88 Hunt's cases of 24 × 14.5 oz (25.2 lb each), 11 layers of 4.57 in on a 37 lb pallet: about 55.1 inches high, 2,256 lb.
48 × 40 × 55.06 = 105,723 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 61.2 ft³. Density = 2,256 lb ÷ 61.2 ft³.
36.9 lb/ft³ → class 55.
Temperature limits on the case
Shelf-stable does not mean any temperature. Del Monte lists 45 to 110 °F for its canned corn, Conagra 50 to 85 °F for Hunt's chili sauce, and Campbell's 65 to 80 °F for its condensed soup. The narrower the range, the more a winter or summer trailer matters.
In winter, some carriers sell freeze protection. R+L charges $4.30 per 100 lb, with a $100 minimum, from October 1 to April 30, and the bill of lading must say "PROTECT FROM FREEZING"; without that, the carrier is not liable for freeze damage. XPO's service costs $4.35 per 100 lb, with a $54.50 minimum, for shipments picked up Monday to Thursday.
Pallet load ratings
Canned food is one of the few freight types that can overload a pallet. A Del Monte pallet of 56 cases of #10 cans carries about 2,535 lb of product. CHEP rates its blue 48 × 40 block pallet at 2,800 lb spread evenly, and Kamps Pallets lists a safe maximum of 4,592 lb for a new 48 × 40 wood pallet, so check which pallet the load is going on.
Spread the weight evenly and keep cases square on the deck; a pallet rating assumes an even load. Sealed cans in cases are also outside most of FDA's food transport rules, so the main paperwork is a clear food description on the bill of lading.
Check your canned food pallet
Enter the pallet's size from the floor and the total weight, pallet included. Canned food will usually show class 55.
Density-based estimate. Some commodities carry a fixed NMFC class — check our freight class by commodity pages.
Estimated Freight Class
Density
42.51
lb/ft³
Volume
53.33
ft³
Weight
2,267
lb
35–50 lb/ft³ → Class 55
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 is canned food?
Usually class 55. A pallet of six-can #10 cases measures about 42 lb/ft³, and a pallet of 24-can cases about 37 lb/ft³.
How much does a pallet of canned food weigh?
A Del Monte pallet of 56 cases of #10 cans weighs about 2,535 lb of product, plus the pallet. A Hunt's pallet of 88 cases of 24 cans weighs about 2,219 lb plus the pallet.
Can canned food freeze in transit?
It can be damaged by cold. Del Monte lists a 45 to 110 °F storage range; in winter, ask for freeze protection and mark the bill of lading "PROTECT FROM FREEZING".
Can a pallet hold a full load of canned food?
Check the pallet first. A pallet of 56 cases of #10 cans carries about 2,535 lb; CHEP rates its 48 × 40 block pallet at 2,800 lb spread evenly, and Kamps lists 4,592 lb for a new 48 × 40 wood pallet.