Freight Class for Paper
A 10-ream carton of copy paper is dense, about 39 lb/ft³, and rates freight class 55: Hammermill's letter carton weighs 50 lb in about 1.3 cubic feet. A full pallet of 40 cartons, about 2,000 lb of paper, usually rates class 60 once the pallet and gaps are counted. Paper rolls ship banded and chocked, 2 to 4 to a pallet.
Carton and pallet weights
Hammermill lists a 10-ream carton of 20 lb letter paper, 5,000 sheets, at 50 lb. Its package is 17 15/16 × 11 15/16 × 10¼ inches, about 39 lb/ft³, class 55. Domtar's stocking sheet for Xerox Vitality paper lists 5,000 sheets per carton and 40 cartons per pallet, about 2,000 lb of paper.
Say those 40 cartons are stacked 8 per layer and 5 high on a 48 × 40 pallet: the unit stands about 56 inches tall and weighs about 2,037 lb with the pallet, about 32.7 lb/ft³, class 60. The pallet deck and the space between cartons cost one class step.
Worked examples
Carton size and weight come from Hammermill; cartons per pallet from Domtar's stocking sheet. The layer pattern in the second example is an assumption.
10-ream carton of letter paper — class 55
Hammermill 20 lb letter, 5,000 sheets: 17 15/16 × 11 15/16 × 10¼ in, 50 lb.
17.94 × 11.94 × 10.25 = 2,195 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 1.27 ft³. Density = 50 lb ÷ 1.27 ft³.
39.4 lb/ft³ → class 55.
Pallet of 40 cartons — class 60
Say 40 cartons, 8 per layer and 5 high, on a 37 lb, 48 × 40 pallet: about 56 inches tall, 2,037 lb.
48 × 40 × 56 = 107,520 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 62.2 ft³. Density = 2,037 lb ÷ 62.2 ft³.
32.7 lb/ft³ → class 60.
Paper rolls
Domtar's roll guide gives a standard roll diameter of 50 inches, with 3-, 5- or 6-inch cores, and 2, 3 or 4 rolls per pallet depending on the roll width. Finished rolls are labeled, banded and chocked on two-way pallets and stretch-wrapped to protect them from moisture.
A roll measures as the square around it, like any round freight, so a pallet of rolls rates lower than the same paper in cartons. Weigh and measure each roll pallet as built.
Keep it dry and square
Paper takes on moisture from the air, which can curl sheets and cause jams. Keep pallets wrapped, off wet docks and out of the rain, and do not break the wrap until the paper is where it will be used.
Copy paper pallets are heavy and stack well, so carriers often load freight on top. Square, full layers with a flat top carry that weight evenly; a pallet with a short layer on top can crush.
Check your paper pallet
Enter the pallet's size from the floor and its total weight. A full pallet usually rates one class higher than a single carton.
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 copy paper?
A 10-ream carton rates about class 55 (39 lb/ft³). A full pallet of 40 cartons usually rates about class 60.
How much does a case of copy paper weigh?
About 50 lb for a 10-ream carton of 20 lb letter paper (5,000 sheets), according to Hammermill.
How many cases of paper are on a pallet?
Domtar lists 40 cartons per pallet for its Xerox Vitality paper, about 2,000 lb.
How are paper rolls shipped?
Domtar ships finished rolls banded and chocked on two-way pallets and stretch-wrapped against moisture, 2 to 4 rolls per pallet.