NMFC Class 70 — Building Materials
Plumbing fixtures and pipe products typically ship at freight class 65–85 depending on material and packaging.
Typical class: 70 · Density: 15–30 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
Plumbing fixtures and pipe products cover a wide range of materials — copper pipe, PVC and PEX tubing, cast iron drain pipe, brass and chrome fixtures, water heaters, toilets, sinks, faucets, and valves. Plumbing wholesale distributors like Ferguson Enterprises and Winsupply serve the contractor market, while retail channels supply homeowners through home improvement stores. Construction projects create concentrated plumbing material shipments, while maintenance and repair work generates ongoing smaller orders.
Freight class for plumbing materials spans Class 65–85, depending on the specific product mix. Copper pipe in bundles is moderately dense at 20–30 lbs/cuft — Class 65–70. PVC pipe in bundles is less dense at 15–22 lbs/cuft — Class 70–85. Fixtures like toilets and sinks are relatively low density (porcelain is heavy but fixtures are hollow) at 10–18 lbs/cuft — Class 70–85. A mixed pallet of plumbing materials with both pipe and fixtures will typically calculate in the Class 70–85 range.
Finished surface protection is critical for fixtures. Porcelain and vitreous china toilets and sinks are extremely heavy and brittle — a single impact can chip or crack the finish, creating an unusable fixture. Chrome and polished nickel faucets and fixtures scratch from any contact with hard surfaces. Manufacturer cartons for fixtures include foam corner protection, but carriers handling plumbing freight should never stack heavy items on fixture cartons or allow them to tip over.
Long pipe sections — copper, PVC, or galvanized — often extend beyond standard pallet dimensions and require flatbed or specialized long-load van equipment. Sections of 20-foot PVC pipe cannot fit in a standard trailer without damage. Bundle pipe sections with appropriate length markings and use pipe racks on flatbed trailers. Rate context: plumbing freight runs at Class 65–85 rates, paying fairly. Specialty plumbing distributors are consistent shippers who value carriers with experience handling fragile fixture materials.
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