Commodity guide · plastic

Freight class for plastic

Bagged plastic resin typically rates class 60 - 65 (22.5 - 35 pcf); molded plastic parts often rate class 175 - 250 by density.

Why plastic rates where it does

Plastic is two different commodities to a carrier. Resin pellets in gaylords or sacks are dense - 22.5 - 35 pcf, class 60 - 65. Finished molded parts (bins, housings, automotive trim) are mostly enclosed air at 2 - 6 pcf, class 175 - 250.

Worked example. A gaylord of resin pellets: 48 × 40 × 40 in, 1400 lb. That is 44.4 cu ft and 1400 lb → 31.50 pcf → class 60. Run your own numbers →

Relevant class pages: class 60 · class 175 · class 250.

What moves the number

For molded parts, nesting is the cost lever: parts that stack inside each other can double the density of a pallet. If your parts nest and you are not nesting them, you are paying class 250 rates for class 125 freight.

Measure, don't assume. Since NMFC Docket 2025-1 (July 2025) most commodities class by measured density on a 13-band scale. The ranges above are typical, not guaranteed — your packaging decides your density. Calculate your actual class →

Related: the full class chart · density calculator · how NMFC codes work.