Chargeable weight, explained

Gross vs volumetric weight

Aircraft have limited space as well as limited lift. So airlines and forwarders price cargo on the greater of two weights:

• Gross weight — what the shipment actually weighs on a scale.
• Volumetric weight — the weight equivalent of the space it occupies.

The higher of the two is the chargeable weight.

The formula

For each piece, volumetric weight in kilograms is:

(Length × Width × Height in cm) ÷ divisor × number of pieces

A divisor of 6,000 is common for general air cargo; 5,000 is common for express and courier services. The applicable divisor and rounding rules vary by carrier, route and service, so confirm with your provider.

A worked example

One carton measuring 60 × 40 × 40 cm and weighing 12 kg, with a divisor of 6,000:

• Volume = 60 × 40 × 40 = 96,000 cm³
• Volumetric weight = 96,000 ÷ 6,000 = 16 kg
• Gross weight = 12 kg
• Chargeable weight = 16 kg (the higher figure)

Ten of those cartons would be billed as 160 kg, not 120 kg.

How to reduce it

• Right-size cartons to the product to remove dead space.
• Consolidate smaller boxes onto a pallet where practical.
• Ask whether the product can be shipped partially disassembled or nested.