Freight Class for Soap and Detergent
Cased laundry detergent and soap usually rate freight class 55 to 70. A full pallet of Arm & Hammer Professional liquid detergent measures 28.6 lb/ft³, class 65, while one of its cases alone measures 30.8 lb/ft³, class 60. A 5-gallon pail of Purex liquid measures 40.2 lb/ft³, class 55. Most household and laundry detergents are not regulated as hazmat.
Case density vs pallet density
Church & Dwight's spec sheet for Arm & Hammer Professional liquid detergent gives a case of two 210 oz jugs at 12.9 × 12.1 × 11.3 inches and 31.4 lb: 30.8 lb/ft³, class 60. But a full pallet of 60 cases is 48 × 38.8 × 61 inches and 1,883 lb, which is 28.6 lb/ft³, class 65.
The pallet adds its own height and the gaps between cases. That one step is common for heavy cased goods sitting near the 30 lb/ft³ line, so class the pallet you will ship, not the case.
Worked examples
Case, pail and pallet sizes and weights come from the makers' published spec sheets.
Full pallet of liquid detergent — class 65
60 cases of 2 × 210 oz Arm & Hammer Professional: 48 × 38.8 × 61 in, 1,883 lb.
48 × 38.8 × 61 = 113,606 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 65.7 ft³. Density = 1,883 lb ÷ 65.7 ft³.
28.6 lb/ft³ → class 65, one step above the single case.
Pallet of powder pails — class 70
60 Arm & Hammer 18 lb powder pails: 49.69 × 39.75 × 47 in, 1,152 lb.
49.69 × 39.75 × 47 = 92,833 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 53.7 ft³. Density = 1,152 lb ÷ 53.7 ft³.
21.4 lb/ft³ → class 70.
One 5-gallon pail — class 55
Purex Ultra liquid, one pail per case: 44.58 lb in 1.11 ft³.
Density = 44.58 lb ÷ 1.11 ft³.
40.2 lb/ft³ → class 55.
Powder and pails
Powder is lighter for its size. An 18 lb Arm & Hammer powder pail measures 9.94 × 9.94 × 11.75 inches; 60 of them make a pallet of 49.69 × 39.75 × 47 inches at 1,152 lb, which is 21.4 lb/ft³, class 70.
Bigger liquid packs are denser. Dial Professional lists a case of four 150 oz Purex bottles at 45.5 lb in 1.8 cubic feet (25.3 lb/ft³, class 65), and a 5-gallon Purex pail at 44.58 lb in 1.11 cubic feet (40.2 lb/ft³, class 55).
Is detergent hazmat?
Usually not. P&G's safety data sheet for Tide Original liquid lists DOT, IMDG and IATA as not regulated, and its Tide Professional powder sheet says the same. Arm & Hammer's powder detergent sheet also lists it as not regulated for transport, even though it flags the product as hazardous to aquatic life.
Industrial cleaners are different, and some are corrosive. Check section 14 of each product's safety data sheet before you describe it on the bill of lading.
Check your detergent pallet
Enter the full pallet's size from the floor and its total weight. A single case can rate one class lower than the pallet it ships on.
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 laundry detergent?
Usually class 55 to 70. A pallet of liquid detergent cases measures about 28.6 lb/ft³ (class 65); powder pails pack lighter (class 70); 5-gallon liquid pails pack denser (class 55).
Is laundry detergent hazmat?
Usually not. The safety data sheets for Tide liquid, Tide Professional powder and Arm & Hammer powder all list DOT as not regulated. Check section 14 for each product.
How many cases of detergent fit on a pallet?
Arm & Hammer Professional liquid ships 60 cases per pallet, 12 per layer and 5 layers high. Dial Professional lists 35 cases of 4 × 150 oz Purex per pallet.
Why does a full pallet rate higher than one case?
The pallet adds height and there are gaps between cases, so the whole unit is less dense. Class the pallet you will actually ship.