Chargeable weight calculator for air and sea freight
Compare the actual weight of your shipment with its volumetric weight and see which one the carrier will charge.
How the calculation works
Carriers sell space as well as weight. So they compare two figures: the actual (gross) weight, including packaging, and the volumetric weight, also called dimensional weight, which converts the volume of the cargo into kilograms. The higher of the two is the chargeable weight.
- Air freight: length x width x height in centimetres, divided by 6,000, gives kilograms.
- Express and courier: the same, but divided by 5,000.
- Sea LCL: volume in cubic metres, where 1 m³ counts as 1,000 kg.
A worked example
You ship 4 cartons, each 60 x 50 x 40 cm and 12 kg. The actual weight is 48 kg. One carton is 120,000 cm³, and divided by 6,000 that is 20 kg, so the four come to 80 kg. By air, the chargeable weight is 80 kg, not 48. With an express divisor of 5,000 it is 24 kg per carton, or 96 kg. By sea LCL the volume is 0.48 m³, equal to 480 kg, so the shipment is charged on 0.48 m³ rather than on its 48 kg.
Divisors and break-even densities
Cargo denser than the figure is charged on actual weight. Lighter cargo is charged on volume.
About 167 kg per m³
The usual divisor for air freight on airline rates.
200 kg per m³
Typical for express and courier services. Check the carrier’s terms.
1,000 kg per m³
Most general cargo is lighter than this, so LCL is mostly charged on volume.
Dense cargo and bulky cargo
Machine parts, tools and metal goods are dense, so they are usually charged on actual weight. Clothing, plastic products, furniture and anything packed in large, light cartons take up more space than they weigh, so the volume decides the price. Which side your cargo falls on tells you where to save.
Reducing chargeable weight
- Use smaller cartons that fit the product, and remove void space.
- Choose carton sizes that stack evenly on a pallet without overhang.
- Consolidate several small shipments into one larger one.
- Where the product allows it, ship items flat or nested.
When the result is only a rough guide
The carrier or airline weighs and measures the cargo at acceptance, and that measurement is what gets billed. Pieces are usually measured at their longest points, and some carriers round up each piece or apply a minimum charge. Divisors also differ between carriers, so confirm the one that applies.
For more on how each mode works, see air freight to and from Germany and sea freight. Our CBM calculator gives the volume side of the sea calculation. TradeRoute EU works out the chargeable weight from your packing list before quoting.
Common questions about chargeable weight
What is chargeable weight?
The weight a carrier bills you for. It is the higher of the actual weight and the volumetric weight.
How do I calculate volumetric weight for air freight?
Multiply length, width and height in centimetres and divide by 6,000. The result is in kilograms.
Why do carriers use volumetric weight?
An aircraft or container fills up by volume before it reaches its weight limit. Charging on volume covers the space that light, bulky cargo takes up.
What is the difference between 5,000 and 6,000?
6,000 is the usual divisor for airline air freight and 5,000 is common for express and courier. The smaller divisor gives a higher volumetric weight, so bulky parcels cost more by express.
How is sea LCL charged?
Per cubic metre or per 1,000 kg, whichever is greater. A shipment of 0.48 m³ is charged on the volume, not on its actual weight.
Get a quote for your shipment
Send the number of cartons, their dimensions and weights, and the origin and destination to TradeRoute EU. You get a reply within 24 business hours with an itemised quote.
Request a quote