Freight Class for Liquor and Spirits
Cased spirits usually rate freight class 55 to 60. A 12-bottle case of Bushmills Peaky Blinders weighs 34.1 lb in 0.76 cubic feet, 44.9 lb/ft³, class 55; a six-bottle case of 1.75 L Three Olives measures 34.6 lb/ft³, class 60. Bottled spirits are not hazmat by truck under 49 CFR 173.150(d), but state warehouses set their own case and pallet limits.
Case and pallet weights
Proximo Spirits publishes case data for its brands. A 12-bottle case of Bushmills Peaky Blinders Irish whiskey is 12.6 × 9.29 × 11.22 inches and 34.1 lb, about 45 lb/ft³, class 55. A six-bottle case of 1.75 L 1800 Cristalino tequila is 8.5 × 14.8 × 16.3 inches and 44.1 lb, about 37 lb/ft³, also class 55.
Bushmills ships 60 cases to a pallet, 15 per layer and 4 high, listed at 2,050.77 lb on a 48 × 40 footprint with the cases 44.8 inches high. On a standard pallet deck that unit is about 49½ inches tall and about 38 lb/ft³, class 55.
Worked examples
Case sizes, weights and pallet patterns come from Proximo Spirits' published product data.
Case of 750 ml whiskey — class 55
Bushmills Peaky Blinders, 12 × 750 ml: 12.6 × 9.29 × 11.22 in, 34.1 lb.
12.6 × 9.29 × 11.22 = 1,313 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 0.76 ft³. Density = 34.1 lb ÷ 0.76 ft³.
44.9 lb/ft³ → class 55.
Case of 1.75 L vodka — class 60
Three Olives, 6 × 1.75 L: 13.5 × 9.44 × 14.1 in, 36 lb.
13.5 × 9.44 × 14.1 = 1,796 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 1.04 ft³. Density = 36 lb ÷ 1.04 ft³.
34.6 lb/ft³ → class 60, just under the class 55 line at 35.
Spirits are not hazmat by truck in normal bottles
High-proof spirits are flammable, but 49 CFR 173.150(d) exempts alcoholic beverages moved by motor vehicle if they have 24% alcohol or less or are in inner packaging of 5 liters or less. A 750 ml or 1.75 L bottle qualifies whatever its proof.
Those bottle sizes are federal standards of fill: 27 CFR 5.203 lists 1.75 liters and 750 mL among the authorized sizes for distilled spirits. Bulk spirits in drums or totes are a different matter and need the hazmat rules.
State warehouse rules
In control states, the state warehouse is often the receiver, and it sets the rules. Mississippi's ABC limits spirits cases to 18 inches wide, 20 inches high and 24 inches long. North Carolina's ABC warehouse takes only full pallets, no taller than 5 feet 6 inches including the pallet, that can be stacked three high.
Check the receiving state's rules before you build the pallet. A pallet that is too tall or cannot be stacked may be refused at the dock, and the return trip is billed as well.
Check your spirits shipment
Enter the case or pallet size and the total weight. Then check the receiving state's case and pallet rules.
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 liquor?
Usually class 55 to 60. A 12 × 750 ml case of whiskey measures about 45 lb/ft³ (class 55); a 6 × 1.75 L case of vodka about 35 lb/ft³ (class 60).
Is liquor hazmat for freight?
Not by truck in normal bottles. 49 CFR 173.150(d) exempts alcoholic beverages in inner packaging of 5 liters or less, or of 24% alcohol or less, moved by motor vehicle.
How heavy is a case of liquor?
A 12 × 750 ml case of spirits weighs about 34 to 40 lb; a 6 × 1.75 L case about 36 to 44 lb, depending on the bottle.
What are state rules for liquor pallets?
They vary by state. North Carolina's ABC warehouse takes only full pallets no taller than 5 feet 6 inches that stack three high; Mississippi limits cases to 18 × 20 × 24 inches.