The term “chargeable weight” or “volumetric weight” is used to calculate the chargeable weight. It recognizes that a shipment’s dimensions, in addition to its actual weight, have an impact on the amount of cargo space needed for transportation. Generally, a large shipment with a light weight costs more than a small shipment with the same weight.
The volumetric weight, often known as dimensional weight or simply DIM, is compared to the actual weight of the shipment to determine the freight charge. The heavier weight is used for calculation.
To find more about how to calculate chargeable weight in 2022, read out our latest blog post in this regard.
Calculate Chargeable Weight for Air Freight
For air cargo and other services, including couriers, there are many ways to calculate chargeable weight. It is necessary to know the shipment’s dimensions and a specific divisor in order to calculate the volumetric weight. For air freight, the IATA (International Air Transport Association) suggests a divisor of 6000. If you want to know why 6000, read here.
You must first calculate the gross weight and the volumetric weight in order to get the chargeable weight for air freight.
Example:
1 box, the box is 100x90x80 cm and weighs 100 kilograms.
- First Step: Calculation of the Gross Weight
The cargo’s weight on the scale is its gross weight.
1 box X 100 kilos = 100 kgs
The total gross weight is 100 kgs.
- Second Step: Calculation of the Cargo Volume
To determine the volumetric weight for air freight and then calculate chargeable weight, we must calculate the cargo volume in cubic meters.
The box is 100cm by 90cm by 80cm in centimeters.
The box is 1 meters by 0,9 meters by 0,8 meters.
The box’s volume is 1 m x 0,9 m x 0,8 m (0,72 cbm) (cubic meter)
1, packages times 0.7 cbm equals 0.7 cbm.
0.7 cbm is the total volume of the shipment.
- Third Step: Calculation of the Cargo’s Volumetric Weight
To calculate the volumetric weight for an air shipment, multiply the cargo volume by the constant for volumetric weight.
According to the air freight mode, 167 kilograms equal one cubic meter.
The volumetric weight of air cargo is 167 kgs per cubic meter.
Volumetric Weight is equal to the sum of the cargo’s volume times the air shipment’s volumetric weight.
Volumetric Weight = 0.7 cbm times 167 kgs per cbm = 116.9 kgs
- Fourth Step: Calculation of the Cargo’s chargeable weight
When comparing the cargo’s volumetric weight with its gross weight. The chargeable weight for our cargo is the biggest number.
Our cargo weighs a total of 100 kilograms.
Our cargo has a volumetric weight of 116.9kgs.
The actual gross weight is less than the volumetric weight. In this case, the volumetric weight is the chargeable weight.
To determine our air transportation charges, after we calculate chargeable weight, we will use the chargeable weight of 116.9Kgs.
Calculate Chargeable Weight for Sea Freight
To calculate chargeable weight in sea shipping, we must use the same procedure and formula. However, the volumetric weight constant for sea shipments is different from that for airfreight.
Example:
1 box, the box is 120x100x150cm and weighs 800 kilograms.
- First Step: Calculation of the Gross Weight
The cargo weight displayed on the scale is the gross weight.
1 box is equal to 800 kg.
Our cargo weighs 800 Kgs total gross weight.
- Second Step: Calculation of the Cargo Volume
The box has the following measurements in centimeters: 120x100x150.
The box’s dimensions are 1,2 x 1 x 1,5 meters.
The box’s volume is 1,2m by 1m by 1,5m, or 1,8 cbm. (cubic meter)
The cargo’s total volume is equal to 1 x 1,8 cbm (1.8 cbm).
- Third Step: Calculation of the Cargo’s Volumetric Weight
To get the volumetric weight for a sea shipment, multiply the cargo volume by the constant volumetric weight.
1000 kilograms equal one cubic meter when it comes to sea freight transportation.
The volumetric weight of a sea shipment equals 1000 kilograms per cubic meter.
Volumetric Weight is equal to the sum of the cargo’s volume x the marine shipment’s volumetric weight.
Volumetric Weight is 1.8 cbm x 1000 kgs per cbm, or 1800 kgs.
- Fourth Step: Calculation of the Cargo’s chargeable weight
When comparing the cargo’s volumetric weight with its gross weight. The chargeable weight for our cargo is the biggest number after we calculate chargeable weight.
Our box weighs 800 kg in total.
Our cargo weighs 1800 kgs when measured in volume.
The weight in volume is greater than the weight in gross. We must calculate chargeable weight using volumetric weight and the result is 1800 kgs.
Calculate Chargeable Weight for Road Freight
For both air freight and sea freight, we will calculate chargeable weight and the volumetric weight using the same procedure; read here to find more. However, compared to air and ocean shipments, the volumetric weight constant for road shipments is different.
Example:
1 Box, the box is 120cm x 100cm x 180cm, and weighs 960 kilograms.
- First Step: Calculation of the Gross Weight
The cargo weight displayed on the scale is the gross weight.
1 box x 960 kilograms equals 960 kg.
Our box weighs 960 kg gross in total.
- Second Step: Calculation of the Cargo Volume
The box has the following measurements in centimeters: 120x100x180.
The box’s measurements are 1,2 x 1 x 1,8 in meters.
The box’s volume is equal to 1,2m x 1m x 1,8m, or 2,16 cbm (cubic meter)
The cargo’s total volume is equal to 1 x 2,16 cbm.
- Third Step: Calculation of the Cargo’s Volumetric Weight
To calculate the volumetric weight for a road shipment, multiply the cargo’s volume by the volumetric weight constant.
In the case of road freight transportation, 333 kg equals one cubic meter.
The volumetric weight of a road shipment is 333 kgs per cubic meter.
Volumetric Weight is equal to the sum of the cargo’s volume × the volumetric weight for a road shipment.
Volumetric Weight: 2,16 cbm × 333 kgs per cbm = 719.28 kgs
- Fourth Step: Calculation of the Cargo’s chargeable weight
When comparing the cargo’s volumetric weight with its gross weight. The chargeable weight for our cargo is the biggest number.
Our cargo weighs 960 kgs in gross weight.
Our shipment weighs 719.28 kgs in terms of volume.
Volumetric weight is lower than gross weight. After we calculate chargeable weight, the actual weight or the gross weight is 960 kgs.
The Final Word
The chargeable weight of an item is the weight used to calculate the freight cost of the item. The chargeable weight may be different than the actual weight of the item, depending on the shipping method used. You can contact DFreight to do all the calculations for you and save you from a great load of headaches. Our experts will calculate the chargeable weight of your cargo for you and do any additional calculations to provide you with your needed quote in the least possible time.
How is actual weight different from chargeable weight?
Gross weight equals actual weight. The chargeable weight listed on your invoice represents the cost the carrier paid to carry your shipment. You can find more about other freight charges in our blog posts.
What are the top shipping lines in the world?
APM-Maersk, CMA CGM, and COSCO Shipping,… are among the top shipping lines worldwide. Tap on the link to read about the top six shipping lines around the globe.
What container is used for oversized cargo after calculating chargeable weight?
Open Top Container are used to transport big cargoes; in case the cargo is oversized.
