NMFC Class 70 covers freight with a density between 15 and 22.5 pounds per cubic foot — the middle-lower portion of the density scale where many industrial and consumer goods land. At this density level, freight still generates solid revenue for carriers, keeping rates in the medium-low tier. Class 70 is one of the most common freight classes because the density range captures a wide variety of manufactured products: canned and packaged food, household and commercial appliances, automotive engines, HVAC equipment, and a broad range of machinery parts. These are goods that have meaningful substance to them but are not as heavy per cube as raw materials or dense components. Handling characteristics for Class 70 freight are generally benign. Most items arrive on standard pallets, present no unusual stacking issues, and require only conventional forklift equipment. Exceptions include crated automobile engines or generators, which may have unusual center-of-gravity profiles. One area where Class 70 shippers face risk is the transition zone to Class 77.5. A shipment that calculates at 14.8 lbs/cu ft — marginally below the Class 70 floor — will be re-classified upward at audit, increasing costs. For goods in this density range, even small improvements in packaging efficiency (eliminating void fill, using tighter pallet patterns) can shift density back above 15 lbs/cu ft and preserve Class 70 pricing.
Class 70 freight is heavy enough to require mechanical handling for most pallets but light enough that some items can be hand-moved by two workers. Crated machinery requires forklift access.
Stowability: Density is still favorable for carriers at this range; most items are palletizable and mix well with other freight. Crated engines and generators may have irregular footprints that complicate packing adjacent freight.
Machinery and appliance parts have moderate per-unit replacement value, increasing the cost of damage claims. Pharmaceutical shipments in this range may carry elevated liability if temperature sensitivity or tamper-evident packaging is required.
Class 70 applies to freight with a density between 15 and 22.5 pounds per cubic foot. Freight above 22.5 lbs/cu ft moves to Class 65; below 15 lbs/cu ft, it moves to Class 77.5.
Crated auto engines commonly fall in the Class 70 range, though the actual class depends on the crate dimensions and total weight. Heavier, more compact crates may push density above 22.5 lbs/cu ft and qualify for Class 65.
Small household appliances often fall in Class 70 when packaged in their retail boxes, but this varies. A compact, heavy appliance like a countertop mixer may calculate higher density than a lightweight item like an electric fan with large packaging.
Class 70 rates typically run 10–20% above Class 65 and 10–15% below Class 77.5 on standard carrier rate tables. The exact spread depends on the carrier's base rate and the specific tariff discount applied to the shipper's account.