Freight Class for Lighting and Fixtures
Boxed light fixtures are light for their size and usually rate freight class 125. A 2 × 4 LED troffer in its carton, such as PQL's 49.2 × 24.4 × 3.5 inch, 18.7 lb carton, measures about 7.7 lb/ft³. Lighting pallets also hold many separate cartons, so count pieces, not pallets, at delivery and note any damage before signing.
Troffer cartons
Commercial troffers ship one or two to a carton. PQL lists its 55648 LED 2 × 4 troffer in a 49.2 × 24.4 × 3.5 inch master carton at 18.7 lb, about 7.7 lb/ft³, and its 55272 in a 50 × 25 × 4 inch carton at 18.2 lb, about 6.3 lb/ft³. A two-pack spec sheet for a 50 W 2 × 4 troffer gives 49.49 × 5.51 × 25.71 inches and 25.79 lb, about 6.4 lb/ft³.
All three land in class 125. Fixtures are mostly frame, lens and air, and the cartons are sized to the fixture, so there is little to gain by repacking.
Worked examples
Carton sizes and weights come from the fixture makers' spec sheets.
LED troffer carton — class 125
PQL 55648 master carton: 49.2 × 24.4 × 3.5 in, 18.7 lb.
49.2 × 24.4 × 3.5 = 4,202 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 2.43 ft³. Density = 18.7 lb ÷ 2.43 ft³.
7.7 lb/ft³ → class 125.
Two-pack troffer carton — class 125
50 W 2 × 4 troffer, two per carton: 49.49 × 5.51 × 25.71 in, 25.79 lb.
49.49 × 5.51 × 25.71 = 7,011 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 4.06 ft³. Density = 25.79 lb ÷ 4.06 ft³.
6.4 lb/ft³ → class 125.
Count pieces, not pallets
Acuity Brands, which makes Lithonia, tells customers to inspect and count packages with the driver present, to verify the number of pieces and not just the number of pallets, and to note any difference on the delivery receipt before signing.
That matters for lighting because one pallet can hold dozens of separate cartons. A pallet that arrives with one carton missing still looks like one pallet.
Damage at delivery
Acuity also says carton damage does not always mean the product is damaged, so check before signing. If damage turns up later, Acuity must be told within 10 business days for concealed damage.
Lenses and diffusers crack under point loads. Ask the carrier not to stack heavy freight on fixture pallets, and keep cartons flat as packed.
Check your lighting shipment
Enter the carton or pallet size and the total weight. Lighting will usually show class 125.
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 lighting?
Usually class 125. Boxed 2 × 4 LED troffers measure about 6 to 8 lb/ft³.
How much does a troffer weigh to ship?
About 18 lb in its own carton: PQL lists 18.7 lb for its 55648 and 18.2 lb for its 55272 2 × 4 troffers.
How should I receive a lighting shipment?
Count the cartons, not just the pallets, with the driver present, and note any shortage or damage on the delivery receipt, as Acuity Brands advises.
How long do I have to report concealed damage on lighting?
Acuity Brands asks to be told within 10 business days for concealed damage. Check the terms of your own supplier and carrier.