Freight Class for Cosmetics
Cased cosmetics and toiletries usually rate freight class 60 to 70. A box of eighteen 12.84 oz shampoo bottles measures 33.5 lb/ft³, class 60; small hotel bottles and single-use packets pack lighter, at class 65 to 70. Aerosols and alcohol-based perfumes are hazardous materials, but they can usually ship as limited quantities in packages of up to 66 lb.
How dense cosmetics cases are
Hotel amenity maker GFL lists its case specs. A box of eighteen 12.84 oz shampoo bottles is 14.96 × 7.28 × 8.03 inches and weighs 16.97 lb, 33.5 lb/ft³, class 60; 60 boxes make a 1,018 lb pallet. A box of 216 tiny 1.01 oz bottles weighs 19.28 lb in a taller box, 23.6 lb/ft³, class 65.
Small packs carry more packaging and air per ounce of product. A Guest Supply case of 1,000 shave cream packets, 21.25 × 9 × 9.5 inches and 19.5 lb, measures 18.6 lb/ft³, class 70.
Worked examples
Case sizes and weights come from GFL and Guest Supply product specs for hotel amenities.
Case of 12.84 oz shampoo — class 60
GFL box of 18 bottles: 14.96 × 7.28 × 8.03 in, 16.97 lb.
14.96 × 7.28 × 8.03 = 875 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 0.51 ft³. Density = 16.97 lb ÷ 0.51 ft³.
33.5 lb/ft³ → class 60.
Case of 1.01 oz hotel bottles — class 65
GFL box of 216 bottles: 14.96 × 7.28 × 12.95 in, 19.28 lb.
14.96 × 7.28 × 12.95 = 1,410 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 0.82 ft³. Density = 19.28 lb ÷ 0.82 ft³.
23.6 lb/ft³ → class 65.
Case of shave cream packets — class 70
Guest Supply case of 1,000 packets: 21.25 × 9 × 9.5 in, 19.5 lb.
21.25 × 9 × 9.5 = 1,817 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 1.05 ft³. Density = 19.5 lb ÷ 1.05 ft³.
18.6 lb/ft³ → class 70.
Aerosols and perfume are hazmat
Aerosol hairsprays, dry shampoos and shave foams are UN1950 aerosols. P&G's safety data sheet for Aussie dry shampoo, for example, lists UN1950, Aerosols, 2.1. Under 49 CFR 173.306 they can ship as a limited quantity: each metal can holds no more than 1 liter, and each package may weigh no more than 30 kg (66 lb).
Alcohol-based fragrance is a Class 3 flammable liquid. One eau de parfum's safety data sheet lists UN1266 Perfumery products, 3, Packing Group II, limited quantity. Under 49 CFR 173.150, inner bottles of up to 1 liter in a strong outer box qualify, again up to 30 kg (66 lb) per package.
The limited quantity mark
Limited-quantity packages moving by ground carry the black-and-white square-on-point mark, at least 100 mm on each side, or 50 mm on a small package. The old "Consumer commodity, ORM-D" marking is gone: it was allowed domestically only until December 31, 2020, and a December 2022 rule removed it.
Tell the carrier the case holds limited-quantity goods, and keep cases of aerosols away from heat. Check each product's safety data sheet, section 14, rather than assuming.
Check your case or pallet
Enter the case or pallet size and the total weight. If the cases hold aerosols or perfume, check the limited-quantity rules as well as the class.
Density-based estimate. Some commodities carry a fixed NMFC class — check our freight class by commodity pages.
Estimated Freight Class
Density
32.49
lb/ft³
Volume
53.33
ft³
Weight
1,733
lb
30–35 lb/ft³ → Class 60
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 cosmetics?
Usually class 60 to 70. A case of full-size shampoo bottles measures about 33.5 lb/ft³ (class 60); cases of small bottles or packets measure 18 to 24 lb/ft³ (class 65 to 70).
Are aerosols hazmat for freight?
Yes. They are UN1950 aerosols, but under 49 CFR 173.306 they can ship as a limited quantity: cans of up to 1 liter, packages of up to 30 kg (66 lb), with the limited-quantity mark.
How do you ship perfume by freight?
Alcohol-based perfume is usually UN1266, a Class 3 flammable liquid. By ground it can ship as a limited quantity in inner bottles of up to 1 liter, in packages of up to 30 kg (66 lb).
Is ORM-D still used?
No. ORM-D was allowed for domestic ground shipments only until December 31, 2020, and was removed from the rules in December 2022. Use the limited-quantity mark instead.