The Chargeable Weight of Air Freight shipments are calculated as the Actual Weight (Gross Weight) or the Volumetric (also called Volume or Dimensional) Weight of the shipment, whichever is the greater. This uses an estimated weight that is calculated based on the dimensions (length, width and height) of a package (shipments are always shown in the order of L x W x H). Typically, large items with a light overall weight take up more space on an aircraft than a small, heavy item. That’s why the Airlines charge according to Chargeable Weight.
Scroll down further to use our Volume Calculator.
Chargeable weight is commonly used by air freight forwarders, domestic motor carriers and brokers to calculate their air freight and/or domestic trucking charges. They use a dimensional factor to determine the “volume” or “volumetric” or “dimensional” weight of the cargo. The domestic air cartage motor carriers in the USA use a different dimensional factor than airlines which is listed below as well.
For those of you who simply want the formulas without a detailed explanation, here you go:
The formula for calculating the volume/dimensional weight for all commodities is 366 cubic inches per kilogram, 166 cubic inches per pound or 6000 cubic centimeters per kilogram.
For calculating the volume weight using inches, multiply the length by the width by the height (L x W x H) in inches to obtain the cubic inches, then:
To obtain the dimensional weight in pounds using inches, divide the cubic inch result by 166
To obtain the dimensional weight in kilograms using inches, divide the cubic inch result by 366
Here is our Air Freight volumetric weight calculator - use this weight and compare it to the actual weight to see which is greater:
For calculating the volume weight using centimeters, multiply the length by the width by the height (L x W x H) in centimeters to obtain the cubic centimeters, then divide the result by 6000
Some definitions and formulas to start:
Chargeable Weight: the greater of actual weight vs. volume weight of a shipment. Chargeable weight is an equilibrium point where the actual weight and volume weight of cargo balance out for the airline, BUT, keep in mind that if the actual weight of the cargo is higher than the “equilibrium point”, the air freight charges are billed on that actual weight.
Volume/Volumetric/Dimensional Weight: Cargo weight based on dimensions of the cargo Actual Weight: Actual weight of the cargo weighed on a scale Lb or lbs: pounds Kg or kgs: kilograms Cft or ft3: cubic feet Cbm or m3: cubic meters Tonne or mt: metric ton 1,000 kgs / 2,204.6 lbs
Basic Conversions:
1 inch = 2.54 centimeters (cms) / 1 cms = 0.393701 1 lbs = 0.453592 kgs / 1 kgs = 2.20462 lbs
Imperial shipping factor examples:
167 in3/lb = 10.4 lb/ft3
Metric shipping factor examples:
5000 cm3/kg = 200 kg/m3 6000 cm3/kg = 166.667 kg/m3 7000 cm3/kg = 142.857 kg/m3
Note: all dimensions and weights are rounded to the nearest whole number.
Combining dimensions in inches and weight in kgs: (L x W x H)/366 (this is commonly done in U.S. exports since dimensions are provided in inches but charges for air freight are always in kgs)
How do I Calculate Volumetric Weight to determine the Chargeable Weight of my Air shipment?
Example 1 – Actual Weight is Greater than Volume Weight:
ABC Company is going to ship some cargo from Los Angeles to Shanghai. The shipment consists of 5 boxes/cartons, each weighing 30kgs, and each measuring 50 x 40 x 40 cms / 19.685 x 15.748 x 15.748 inches. Actual Gross Weight = 5 boxes x 30kgs each = 150 kgs
Volumetric Weight in kgs using centimeters = (50 x 40 x 40cm) x 5 boxes / 6000 = 67kgs
Volumetric Weight in kgs using inches = (20 x 16 x 16) x 5 boxes / 366 = 67kgs
Result: 150 kgs is greater than 67 kgs so the Chargeable Weight will be 150 kgs which, in this case, is the Actual Weight.
Example 2 – Volume Weight is Greater than Actual Weight:
ABC Company is going to ship some cargo from Los Angeles to Shanghai. The shipment consists of 3 boxes/cartons, each weighing 10kgs, and each measuring 50 x 40 x 40 cms / 19.6 x 15.7 x 15.7 inches. Actual Gross Weight = 3 boxes x 10 kgs each = 30 kgs
Volumetric Weight in kgs using centimeters = (50 x 40 x 40cm) x 3 boxes / 6000 = 40 kgs
Volumetric Weight in kgs using inches = (19.6 x 15.7 x 15.7) x 3 boxes / 366 = 40 kgs
Result: 40kgs is greater than 30kgs so the Chargeable Weight will be 40kgs which is also the Volume Weight.
Alternatively you can click here http://cargotracking.utopiax.org/convert2.html to use a conversion tool that calculates chargeable weight to determine if your shipment will be billed on chargeable weight or actual weight.
How does DHL/Fedex/UPS/TNT/Canada Post calculate Air Freight Charges?
Centimeters / Kilograms:
DHL: (L cm A— W cm A— H cm)/5000 or 4000 depending on certain import/country criteria
FedEx: (L cm A— W cm A— H cm)/6000 (new) or /5000 (old, still used in Asia) for international shipments, (L cm x W cm x H cm)/7000 for domestic shipments
UPS: (L cm A— W cm A— H cm)/6000 or /5000 depending on certain import/country criteria
Canada Post (L cm A— W cm A— H cm)/6000 or (L in A— W in A— H in)/166
Inches / Pounds
FedEx Express & UPS: (L in A— W in A— H in)/139
FedEx Ground & UPS Ground: (L in A— W in A— H in)/139
FYI: The above calculations are for informational purposes only. The divisors are subject to change by the carriers. Please visit their respective websites for more information.
If you have any Air Freight shipments to import or export, please Contact us today at (800) 874 4748 or Request a quote.