Freight Class for Wine
A 12-bottle case of 750 ml wine usually rates freight class 55 to 60: Esser Vineyards' Chardonnay case weighs 35 lb in 0.92 cubic feet, 38 lb/ft³. A full pallet is less dense: Esser's 56-case pallet, 48 × 48 × 54.5 inches and 2,000 lb, measures 27.5 lb/ft³, class 65. Temperature is the real risk: wine should stay below 86 °F, and it starts to freeze below 23 °F.
Case and pallet weights
Wineries publish their case data for distributors. Morgan Winery lists a 12-bottle case of Chardonnay at 33.6 lb and a case of Pinot Noir in a heavier bottle at 37.5 lb, both 56 cases to a pallet, 14 per layer and 4 high, for 1,922 lb and 2,140 lb with the pallet. Esser Vineyards' Chardonnay case is 13.25 × 10 × 12 inches and 35 lb, about 38 lb/ft³, class 55.
A full pallet is less dense than one case. Esser's pallet of 56 cases is 48 × 48 × 54.5 inches and 2,000 lb, which is about 27.5 lb/ft³, class 65, because of the pallet deck and the gaps between cases.
Worked examples
Case and pallet figures come from the wineries' and importers' published packaging sheets.
Case of Chardonnay — class 55
Esser Vineyards, 12 × 750 ml: 13.25 × 10 × 12 in, 35 lb.
13.25 × 10 × 12 = 1,590 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 0.92 ft³. Density = 35 lb ÷ 0.92 ft³.
38.0 lb/ft³ → class 55.
Full pallet of 56 cases — class 65
Esser Vineyards pallet: 48 × 48 × 54.5 in, 2,000 lb loaded.
48 × 48 × 54.5 = 125,568 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 72.7 ft³. Density = 2,000 lb ÷ 72.7 ft³.
27.5 lb/ft³ → class 65.
Heat and cold
Purdue Extension's wine storage guide says wine should never be exposed, even briefly, to 86 °F (30 °C) or above anywhere between the winery and the buyer. It also warns that below 23 °F (−5 °C), wines of 14% alcohol or less start to freeze, pushing corks out and finally breaking bottles.
So winter and summer both need planning. In cold months, ask for freeze protection: R+L charges $4.30 per 100 lb (minimum $100) from October to April, and the bill of lading must say "PROTECT FROM FREEZING". In hot months, ship early in the week to avoid weekends on a dock.
Rules for moving wine
By truck, wine is not hazmat. Under 49 CFR 173.150(d), an alcoholic beverage moved by motor vehicle is outside the hazmat rules if it has 24% alcohol or less, or is in inner packaging of 5 liters or less. Under 27 CFR 4.72, 750 ml is a standard fill for wine, which is why the 12-bottle case is standard.
Receivers set pallet rules too. The Sonoma County Vintners Co-op, for example, takes 12-bottle 750 ml upright cases only at 14 or 11 cases per layer, on 48 × 40 pallets with less than ¼ inch of overhang.
Check your wine shipment
Enter the case or pallet size and the total weight. Class the full pallet you will ship, not one case.
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 wine?
A single case usually rates class 55 to 60 (34 to 43 lb/ft³). A full pallet usually rates class 65, about 27.5 lb/ft³ for a 56-case pallet.
How much does a pallet of wine weigh?
About 1,900 to 2,150 lb for 56 cases of 750 ml. Morgan Winery lists 1,922 lb for Chardonnay and 2,140 lb for Pinot Noir, pallet included.
Is wine hazmat for shipping?
Not by truck. Under 49 CFR 173.150(d), alcoholic beverages of 24% alcohol or less, or in inner packaging of 5 liters or less, are not subject to the hazmat rules by motor vehicle.
What temperature can wine be shipped at?
Keep it below 86 °F; Purdue Extension says wine should never see even short exposure to 86 °F or above. Below 23 °F, wine of 14% alcohol or less starts to freeze.