Freight Class for Groceries
Grocery freight has no single class: a case of #10 canned corn measures about 46 lb/ft³ (class 55) and a case of kettle chips about 3.6 lb/ft³ (class 250). A mixed pallet is classed as one unit, so the two average out; 28 cases of corn with 20 cases of chips comes to about 20.6 lb/ft³, class 70. Sealed dry groceries are mostly outside FDA's sanitary transportation rule.
How a mixed grocery pallet classes
Grocery orders mix very different products. A case of six #10 cans of Del Monte corn weighs 45.26 lb in 0.99 cubic feet, class 55 on its own. A case of Kettle Brand chips weighs 7.29 lb in 2.04 cubic feet, class 250 on its own.
The carrier classes the pallet as one unit, by total weight over total size. Say a pallet holds 28 cases of the corn and 20 cases of the chips: 1,413 lb of product in 68.6 cubic feet of cases, or about 20.6 lb/ft³ before the pallet, class 70. The dense cases pull the chips down from class 250, and the chips pull the corn up from class 55.
Worked examples
Case weights and volumes come from Del Monte and Campbell's Foodservice product pages; the mix of cases is an example.
Mixed pallet of cans and chips — class 70
Say 28 cases of Del Monte #10 corn (45.26 lb, 0.99 ft³ each) and 20 cases of Kettle Brand chips (7.29 lb, 2.04 ft³ each).
Weight = 28 × 45.26 + 20 × 7.29 = 1,413 lb. Case volume = 28 × 0.99 + 20 × 2.04 = 68.6 ft³. Density = 1,413 ÷ 68.6.
20.6 lb/ft³ → class 70, before the pallet is added.
FDA's sanitary transportation rule
FDA's rule for moving food (21 CFR part 1, subpart O) does not cover food that is fully enclosed in a container, unless the food needs temperature control for safety. Most dry grocery freight in sealed cases is outside its operating rules.
For temperature-controlled food, the shipper must give the carrier the operating temperature in writing (§ 1.908). A carrier takes on the sanitary duties only if a written agreement says so, and shippers must keep records of what they gave carriers for 12 months after the agreement ends (§ 1.912).
What carriers ask for
Say that the freight is food. FedEx Freight's tariff (Item 770) requires food to be clearly identified on the bill of lading, accepts only food in fully enclosed containers that needs no temperature control, and lets the carrier dispose of refused food if the shipper gives no instructions within two business days.
Keep chemicals and cleaning products off food pallets. In winter, liquids and canned goods may need a freeze-protection service, which carriers price per 100 lb with a minimum charge.
Check your mixed grocery pallet
Enter the finished pallet's size from the floor and its total weight. The carrier classes the whole pallet, not each product.
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 are groceries?
It depends on the mix. Canned goods rate about class 55 and bagged snacks about class 250; a mixed pallet lands in between, such as class 70 for a mix of #10 cans and chips.
How is a mixed grocery pallet classed?
As one unit: total weight divided by the pallet's outside size. Dense cases lower the class of light ones on the same pallet.
Does the FDA sanitary transportation rule apply to dry groceries?
Mostly not. 21 CFR part 1, subpart O does not cover food fully enclosed in containers unless the food needs temperature control for safety.
Do I need to tell the carrier it is food?
Yes. FedEx Freight's tariff requires food to be clearly identified on the bill of lading and accepts only food that needs no temperature control.