How to Ship Food and Beverages via LTL Freight
Guide to shipping non-perishable food and beverage products on pallets via LTL freight. Covers freight class, FDA requirements, packaging for glass and cans, and temperature considerations.
Quick reference
Recommended packaging
Cases should be sealed and stacked in an interlocking brick pattern on a standard GMA pallet. Use slip sheets between layers for stability. For glass bottles, add cardboard dividers between each bottle within the case. Shrink-wrap the pallet from base to top with five or more layers. Do not exceed the case stacking limit printed on the box.
Accessorials you may need
These are the most common accessorial services for food & beverage shipments. Declare them at booking time — carriers that discover them on arrival bill more and back-date to the invoice. With Warp, every accessorial below is already included in the per-pallet rate.
Need to price a different combination? Use the accessorial fee calculator to see what accessorials add to any base rate.
Shipping tips for food & beverage
- Stack cases in a brick pattern (offset each layer). Column stacking creates weak points that collapse under the weight of freight stacked on top.
- Do not exceed the case stacking limit. This is printed on the case for a reason. Over-stacking crushes bottom cases and causes claims.
- Use five or more layers of stretch film on food pallets. Heavier-than-average pallets need more wrap to prevent shifting.
- Check if the destination has receiving hours. Grocery stores, restaurants, and warehouses often have narrow delivery windows.
Common mistakes to avoid
Mistake 1: Glass bottles require interior dividers in every case. Without them, bottles clink together and break. Carriers will deny claims on improperly packed glass.
Mistake 2: Food pallets are heavy. Two pallets of canned goods can exceed 4,000 lbs. Confirm weight is within the carrier LTL limits before booking.
Mistake 3: Temperature-sensitive items (chocolate, beverages) need to ship in climate-appropriate seasons or use a temperature-controlled carrier. Standard LTL trailers are not heated or cooled.
Freight class for food and beverages
Non-perishable food and beverages are among the densest freight categories. A full pallet of canned goods or bottled beverages typically weighs 1,500-2,200 lbs and ships at class 50-70. Lighter packaged goods like snacks or cereal might hit class 85. The high density means food and beverage shippers benefit from some of the lowest per-pallet LTL rates available.
FDA and labeling requirements
Food shipped commercially in the US must comply with FDA labeling requirements. Every case must have a legible label with product name, net weight, ingredient list, nutrition facts, allergen declarations, and the manufacturer name and address. The BOL should describe the freight as the specific food product, not just "food." Carriers may inspect food shipments and will refuse those with damaged or missing labels.
Handling glass and fragile packaging
Glass bottles and jars need cardboard dividers inside every case. Cases should be sealed, never open-top. Stack glass cases in lower layers of the pallet and place lighter cases on top. Apply extra stretch film (five or more layers) to prevent pallet shift that causes case-on-case impact. Mark the pallet as "Fragile" and "Glass" on all four sides.
Food & Beverage shipping FAQ
What freight class is food and beverage?
Non-perishable food and beverages typically ship at class 50 to 85. Dense items like canned goods and bottled beverages are class 50-70. Lighter packaged goods like snacks and cereals are class 70-85.
Can I ship perishable food via LTL?
Standard LTL trailers are not temperature-controlled. For perishable food, you need a refrigerated (reefer) LTL carrier or a dedicated reefer truck. Non-perishable food ships on standard LTL with no issues.
How do I ship glass bottles safely?
Use cardboard dividers inside every case to prevent bottle-to-bottle contact. Seal cases completely. Stack glass cases low on the pallet. Apply five or more layers of stretch film and mark all sides as Fragile and Glass.
Are there weight limits for food pallets?
Most LTL carriers cap pallets at 2,500 lbs. Full pallets of canned goods can approach this limit. Weigh your pallet before shipping and confirm it is within the carrier limit. Pallets over 2,500 lbs may require partial or full truckload service.
Ship food & beverage with Warp
Warp gives you instant per-pallet rates with no hidden fees. Enter your origin, destination, and pallet details to see transparent pricing across LTL, FTL, box truck, and cargo van. First shipment gets $50 off with code WARP2026.