Freight Class for Fertilizer
Granular fertilizer is dense, so bagged fertilizer usually rates freight class 50 or 55: Mosaic lists its granular products at 56 to 60 lb per cubic foot loose. Most fertilizer is not regulated as hazmat, but ammonium nitrate based fertilizer is UN2067, a Division 5.1 oxidizer. Check section 14 of the product's safety data sheet.
How dense fertilizer is
Mosaic's product data sheets list loose bulk densities for its granular fertilizers: 56 lb per cubic foot for MicroEssentials S10 and S15, and 60 lb for SZ. That is the weight of the granules with the air between them, before any bag.
Bags on a pallet add packaging and gaps, but not much. Even if half of a pallet's measured space were empty, fertilizer at 56 to 60 lb/ft³ would still measure 28 to 30 lb/ft³, class 60 to 65. Tightly stacked bags usually come out at class 50 or 55, and the pallet's weight limit is reached long before its space.
Worked examples
Bulk densities come from Mosaic's product data sheets; the example shows the worst case for a loosely built pallet.
Half-empty pallet test — class 60 to 65 at worst
Granules at 56 to 60 lb/ft³ (Mosaic), with half the pallet's measured space empty.
Density ≈ 56 to 60 ÷ 2 = 28 to 30 lb/ft³.
Class 60 to 65 even then; a tightly stacked pallet of bags rates class 50 or 55.
Most fertilizer is not hazmat
Mosaic's safety data sheet for MicroEssentials S10 lists it as not regulated for transport. The same is true for most phosphate, potash and blended granular fertilizers, but check section 14 of the product's own safety data sheet.
Ammonium nitrate is the exception. The Hazardous Materials Table lists ammonium nitrate based fertilizer as UN2067, Division 5.1 (oxidizer), packing group III. Some ammonium nitrate compound fertilizers are UN2071, Class 9, and under special provision 132 those are regulated only by air or vessel, not by highway.
Keep bags dry
Granular fertilizer takes on moisture, which cakes the product and weakens bags. Wrap pallets fully, keep them off wet docks and do not leave them uncovered in a trailer with roof leaks.
Torn bags leak granules onto other freight. Ask the carrier to keep fertilizer pallets away from food, and inspect bags at delivery.
Weight runs out before space
Because the product is so dense, a fertilizer pallet hits its weight limit while there is still room on top. CHEP rates its 48 × 40 block pallet at 2,800 lb spread evenly, which is 56 bags of 50 lb, before counting the pallet. Kamps lists 4,592 lb as a safe maximum for a new 48 × 40 wood pallet.
Build to the pallet's rating and the receiver's forklift, not to a height. A short, heavy pallet is easier to handle, rates the same low class, and is less likely to tip or burst a bottom bag.
Check your fertilizer pallet
Enter the pallet's size from the floor and its total weight. Fertilizer will usually show class 50 or 55.
Density-based estimate. Some commodities carry a fixed NMFC class — check our freight class by commodity pages.
Estimated Freight Class
Density
54.99
lb/ft³
Volume
53.33
ft³
Weight
2,933
lb
50+ lb/ft³ → Class 50
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 fertilizer?
Usually class 50 or 55. Granular fertilizer weighs 56 to 60 lb per cubic foot loose, so even a loosely built pallet stays near class 60 or below.
Is fertilizer hazmat for shipping?
Most is not; Mosaic's MicroEssentials S10, for example, is not regulated for transport. Ammonium nitrate based fertilizer is UN2067, Division 5.1.
What is UN2071 fertilizer?
An ammonium nitrate based compound fertilizer listed as Class 9. Under special provision 132 it is regulated only when shipped by air or vessel, not by highway.
How heavy is granular fertilizer?
Mosaic lists loose bulk densities of 56 lb per cubic foot for MicroEssentials S10 and S15 and 60 lb for SZ.
How many 50 lb bags of fertilizer can go on a pallet?
Check the pallet's rating first. A CHEP 48 × 40 block pallet is rated at 2,800 lb spread evenly, which is 56 bags of 50 lb; a new wood pallet may be rated higher.