At a Glance
- Road formula
- L x W x H (cm) / 5,000 = kg
- Air freight formula
- L x W x H (cm) / 6,000 = kg
- Charging rule
- Higher of actual and volumetric weight
- Density threshold, road
- approx. 200 kg/m3
- Density threshold, air
- approx. 167 kg/m3
The formula: how to calculate volumetric weight
Road transport: volumetric weight (kg) = length (cm) x width (cm) x height (cm) / 5,000. Air freight: volumetric weight (kg) = length (cm) x width (cm) x height (cm) / 6,000. Freight is always charged on the higher of actual weight and volumetric weight.
Worked example: when does volumetric weight apply?
Road example: a carton measures 80 cm x 60 cm x 50 cm and weighs 5 kg. Volumetric weight: 80 x 60 x 50 / 5,000 = 48 kg. Since 48 kg is greater than the actual weight of 5 kg, the charge is based on 48 kg. Compact, heavy goods such as machine parts have a low volumetric weight – there the actual weight applies.
Volumetric weight or actual weight?
Volumetric weight dominates with light, bulky goods: furniture, plastic parts, foam materials, lightweight packaging and textiles. Actual weight dominates with compact, heavy goods: metals, stone, tools and machine parts.
Tips for optimising your packing
To avoid an unnecessarily high volumetric weight, choose packaging that leaves no needless empty space. Reduce filler material, combine goods from several orders on one pallet and aim for compact pallet builds.
