When shipping internationally, the cost isn’t based only on the weight of your goods but also the space they occupy. Freight companies use chargeable weight to calculate the final shipping price, ensuring fairness and efficiency in their pricing.
Chargeable weight is determined by comparing two values:
Carriers will always use whichever of these two values is higher when determining your shipping cost.
Chargeable weight ensures fairness in pricing. Light but bulky cargo, such as furniture, packaging materials, or electronics, can occupy significant space on aircraft, trucks, ships, or trains, impacting how freight carriers price their services.
The formula for calculating volumetric weight differs by transportation method:
| Freight Mode | Volumetric Weight Calculation |
| Air Freight | Length (cm) × Width (cm) × Height (cm) ÷ 6000 |
| Courier Service | Length (cm) × Width (cm) × Height (cm) ÷ 5000 |
| Road Freight | Length (cm) × Width (cm) × Height (cm) ÷ 3000 |
| Rail Freight | Length (cm) × Width (cm) × Height (cm) ÷ 4285.7 |
| Ocean Freight | Measured in cubic meters (m³). 1 m³ = 1000 kg |
Suppose you have a shipment with the following dimensions and weight:
Calculate volumetric weight: 120cm x 80cm x 60cm ÷ 6000 = 96kg.
Since volumetric weight (96 kg) is greater than actual weight (70 kg), the chargeable weight is 96 kg.
| Freight Mode | Volume to Weight Ratio |
| Air Freight | 1 m³ = 167 kg |
| Courier Service | 1 m³ = 200kg |
| Road Freight | 1 m³ = 333 kg |
| Rail Freight | 1 m³ = 700 kg |
| Ocean Freight | 1 m³ = 1000 kg |
At MyDello, we handle all these calculations automatically. Simply input your shipment details into our digital portal, and instantly receive transparent pricing—no hidden fees.
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