Auto parts freight shipping
Auto parts freight shipping covers mixed pallets of boxed parts, heavy castings and long bumpers or exhaust pipes moving to distributors and repair networks. Send the piece list, pallet dimensions and weights and we quote standard LTL, volume LTL, partial or full truckload.
At a glance
- A pallet that mixes brake rotors with boxed filters has uneven density, so measure and weigh the pallet as built, with the pallet included.
- Bumpers, exhaust pipes and other long parts should be listed with their full length, because carriers apply their own handling rules to freight that overhangs a standard pallet.
- Batteries, fluids and other products with hazard labels need a safety data sheet review before we quote, and GET Express does not offer hazmat service.
How is auto parts freight shipping classed?
Auto parts freight shipping is classed by the NMFC item that fits each part, and many of those items now use the 13-tier density scale from NMFTA Docket 2025-1, effective July 19, 2025. Some parts keep a commodity class, so the item number matters as much as the measurements. Class is one input to price, alongside the lane, weight, accessorials and fuel.
A mixed pallet of castings and boxed accessories rates on its description and its measured density. The density scale and worked example on this page show the math for a pallet of boxed parts.
Freight class by density (lb per cubic foot)
- 0 to 1 lb/ft³Class 400
- 1 to 2 lb/ft³Class 300
- 2 to 4 lb/ft³Class 250
- 4 to 6 lb/ft³Class 175
- 6 to 8 lb/ft³Class 125
- 8 to 10 lb/ft³Class 100
- 10 to 12 lb/ft³Class 92.5
- 12 to 15 lb/ft³Class 85
- 15 to 22.5 lb/ft³Class 70 example below
- 22.5 to 30 lb/ft³Class 65
- 30 to 35 lb/ft³Class 60
- 35 to 50 lb/ft³Class 55
- 50 or more lb/ft³Class 50
Worked example: a pallet of boxed auto parts
- Measure the loaded pallet, pallet included: 48 × 40 × 48 inches = 92,160 cubic inches.
- Convert to cubic feet: 92,160 ÷ 1,728 = 53.3 cubic feet.
- Divide the weight by the cubic feet: 900 lb ÷ 53.3 = 16.9 lb per cubic foot.
- Read the class off the density scale: 16.9 lb per cubic foot falls in class 70.
Run your own pallet through the freight class calculator, or read how freight class works.
How should mixed pallets of auto parts be built?
Mixed pallets of auto parts hold up best with the heaviest pieces on the bottom layer and lighter boxes stacked above, wrapped tight to the deck. Castings, rotors and drums packed loose on top of cartons crush the boxes below during transit.
Carton labels should face out and match the packing list so the receiver can check the count at the dock. Send the gross weight and the built dimensions of each pallet, since a reweigh compares the carrier's scale against what the bill of lading declares.
What do carriers need to know about bumpers and exhaust pipes?
Carriers need the full length of bumpers, exhaust systems and driveshafts before pickup, because long pieces load and bill differently from a standard pallet. Crate or bundle long parts on a skid so a forklift can move them without bending the ends.
Liftgate platforms have size and weight limits that differ by carrier. Send the heaviest and longest piece on the order so the carrier can confirm whether a repair shop without a dock can receive it.
Which service fits: LTL, volume LTL, partial or full truckload?
Standard LTL fits most palletized shipments that can share a trailer; volume LTL, partial truckload and full truckload fit larger loads or loads that need their own truck. Price the same shipment details across the four services, and confirm the points in the table before you book.
| Service | Fits | Confirm before booking |
|---|---|---|
| Standard LTL | Palletized freight that shares a trailer and moves through carrier terminals | NMFC item and class, pickup and delivery accessorials, delivery appointment |
| Volume LTL | Larger LTL shipments quoted as a one-off price for that shipment | Quote terms, space the freight takes, whether it still moves through terminals |
| Partial truckload | Shipments that share a truck with a few others | Whether the freight stays on one trailer, any planned transfers, transit estimate |
| Full truckload | Freight that fills a trailer, reaches its weight limit, or needs its own truck | Trailer type, loading and unloading time, appointments at both ends |
How do core returns and battery shipments work?
Core returns move as their own LTL shipments back to the rebuilder or distributor, with a bill of lading that describes the cores as used parts. Drain fluids per the rebuilder's rules and band the cores to the pallet so nothing shifts.
Batteries, antifreeze, brake fluid and other products with hazard labels need a safety data sheet review before we quote. GET Express does not offer hazmat service, so send the SDS first and we will tell you whether the product is eligible.
What do you send for a automotive parts and aftermarket freight quote?
A automotive parts and aftermarket freight quote needs the 8 details below. Complete details let the carrier rate the shipment once, without a reweigh or reclass after pickup.
- Part types on each pallet, such as castings, filters, body panels or accessories
- Built pallet dimensions with the pallet included
- Gross weight of each pallet
- Length of the longest piece, such as a bumper or exhaust pipe
- Safety data sheet for any battery, fluid or chemical product
- Delivery site type: distributor warehouse, repair shop or dealership
- Dock or forklift at delivery, or a liftgate request
- NMFC item numbers, if you know them
What do the freight terms on this page mean?
- Core return
- A used part sent back to a rebuilder or distributor for credit and remanufacturing.
- Mixed pallet
- A pallet carrying several different products, each of which may have its own density and NMFC item.
- Safety data sheet (SDS)
- A manufacturer's document that lists a product's hazards and handling requirements.
- Reweigh
- A carrier's check of actual weight against the declared weight, which can change the invoice.
Quick answers
Can you ship car batteries?
Send the safety data sheet first. GET Express does not offer hazmat service, and we check eligibility before quoting.
Do bumpers need a crate?
Crating or bundling on a skid protects the ends and lets a forklift move the piece. Send the length and weight so the carrier can confirm handling.
Can you deliver to a repair shop without a dock?
Ask for a liftgate and send the heaviest and longest piece. Liftgate limits vary by carrier, so the carrier confirms before booking.
When does an auto parts order move as a truckload?
Get quotes on all four services for the same pallet list, then compare them on stackability, weight and lane.
Quote your auto parts shipment
Send the pallet list, weights and delivery site and we will price auto parts freight shipping on your lane.