Commodity guide · aluminum

Freight class for aluminum

Aluminum ingot, billet and dense extrusion bundles typically rate class 60 (30 - 35 pcf); fabricated aluminum parts rate class 85 - 125.

Why aluminum rates where it does

Aluminum is a third the density of steel, and the classes follow: solid forms - ingot, billet, tightly banded extrusions - usually measure 30+ pcf and rate class 60 or better, while fabricated parts, frames and enclosures land anywhere from 8 to 15 pcf (class 85 - 100) or lighter.

Worked example. A banded bundle of aluminum extrusions: 48 × 40 × 24 in, 850 lb. That is 26.7 cu ft and 850 lb → 31.88 pcf → class 60. Run your own numbers →

Relevant class pages: class 60 · class 85 · class 125.

What moves the number

Long extrusions bring a stowability question as well as a density one: anything over 8 feet can attract overlength fees that dwarf the class difference. Bundle tight and keep lengths under the carrier's threshold where possible.

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.