NMFC Class 70 — Office Supplies
Filing cabinets and office storage units typically ship at freight class 70–85 depending on construction.
Typical class: 70 · Density: 15–25 lbs/cu ft
Shipment Dimensions (inches)
| Class | Density (lbs/cu ft) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50+ | Heaviest, most dense freight |
| 55 | 35–50 | Very dense freight |
| 60 | 30–35 | Dense freight |
| 65 | 22.5–30 | Moderately dense |
| 70 | 15–22.5 | Average density |
| 77.5 | 13.5–15 | Slightly below average |
| 85 | 12–13.5 | Below average density |
| 92.5 | 10.5–12 | Light freight |
| 100 | 9–10.5 | Light freight |
| 110 | 8–9 | Light, bulky freight |
| 125 | 7–8 | Bulky freight |
| 150 | 6–7 | Very bulky freight |
| 175 | 5–6 | Very light, bulky |
| 200 | 4–5 | Extremely light |
| 250 | 3–4 | Extremely light, high value |
| 300 | 2–3 | Low density, high handling |
| 400 | 1–2 | Very low density |
| 500 | 0–1 | Lowest density, highest cost |
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NMFC Class 70 — packaging, handling, and freight class details
Filing cabinets and office storage products move in large volumes through the commercial office furniture supply chain — furniture dealers, office product distributors, and direct manufacturers like Hirsh, Lorell, and Steelcase ship to businesses, government agencies, and schools. Corporate office openings and renovations drive concentrated shipments, while ongoing replacement demand provides steady baseline volume. The shift to digital document management has reduced demand for traditional filing products, but legal, medical, and government sectors continue to use physical filing systems in large quantities.
Freight class for filing cabinets is Class 70–85. A standard four-drawer legal filing cabinet weighs 120–150 lbs and occupies 8–10 cubic feet — roughly 15–18 lbs/cuft, solidly Class 70–85. Lateral filing cabinets are wider and similarly dense. Lighter storage boxes and mobile pedestals may be slightly less dense and push toward Class 85. Metal filing cabinets are consistently denser than comparable plastic storage units.
Drawer security is the critical preparation step. Drawers that are not secured can slide open during transit and either damage the cabinet itself or create a hazard when the trailer door opens. All drawers must be locked (if the cabinet has locks) or secured with banding tape across the front. Removing drawers entirely and packaging them separately is even better for LTL shipments, as it allows the cabinet body and individual drawers to be stacked more efficiently and reduces damage risk.
Corner and edge damage is the primary quality issue with metal filing cabinets. The formed metal edges on cabinet corners crumple under impact, and even minor dents affect drawer operation. Manufacturer cartons include corner boards, but carriers should handle these as fragile regardless of the weight — the formed metal structure of a filing cabinet is actually quite vulnerable to point impacts despite the overall weight. Rate context: filing cabinet freight at Class 70–85 pays average to fair rates. It is uncomplicated freight with no regulatory requirements and minimal damage risk if properly secured.
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