Basics
What is chargeable weight
Actual weight is the scale weight including packing. Volumetric weight converts carton size into a kg equivalent. For air and many express products, chargeable weight is the higher of the two. That is why two shipments with the same “per kg” headline can produce very different invoices.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Actual weight | Scale weight of cargo including packing (kg) |
| Volumetric weight | Weight equivalent derived from dimensions |
| Chargeable weight | The higher of actual vs volumetric (air/express logic) |
Air
Air freight formula (÷6000)
Formula (common air standard)
Volumetric weight (kg) = Length × Width × Height (cm) ÷ 6,000
About 167 kg per CBM
Example 1 — dense
80 × 20 × 45 cm; actual 95 kg
Volumetric = 12 kg → chargeable 95 kg (actual wins)
Example 2 — light bulky
160 × 80 × 60 cm; actual 100 kg
Volumetric = 128 kg → chargeable 128 kg (volume wins)
Deep dive: Air freight from China
Express
Express divisor note
Many courier products use a different divisor (commonly 5,000 for some services—confirm the product tariff). Same rule: higher of actual vs volumetric. Address quality and content restrictions still decide whether express is the right product.
Sea
Sea LCL CBM vs air volumetric
Ocean LCL is typically priced on CBM (and sometimes compared against a weight-to-measure rule in tariffs). CBM = L × W × H in metres. Do not apply the air ÷6000 formula to ocean quotes without checking the forwarder’s LCL rule.
If volume approaches about 12–15 CBM, compare LCL all-in with a 20ft FCL.
Sea freight from China · FCL vs LCL · Metric tons & W/M billing
Mistakes
Common mistakes
- ✕Quoting without dimensions on air/express
- ✕Using air ÷6000 math on sea LCL without checking the tariff
- ✕Ignoring packing changes after the rate was “confirmed”
- ✕Comparing volumetric-heavy air to ocean-only headlines
- ✕Forgetting multi-piece qty when summing chargeable weight
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is chargeable weight?
How do you calculate volumetric weight for air freight?
Is sea freight calculated the same way?
Can I get a quote from the calculator?
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