How to Calculate Shipping Weight

How to Calculate Shipping Weight.

Navigating the world of logistics, especially knowing how to calculate the weight that can be paid, can be difficult. This comprehensive guide aims to simplify the process by breaking down the concepts of actual weight, volumetric weight, dimensional weight and payload for both air and sea transport.

How to Calculate Shipping Weight

Understanding the Basics

Before learning about credit score calculations, it’s important to understand the key terms involved.

Actual Weight

Actual weight, also known as gross weight, is the weight of an item obtained by measuring its body weight, including other materials used in packaging and shipping.

Volumetric Weight

Volumetric weight, also known as dimensional weight, is the theoretical weight calculated from the dimensions of the load. It is used to describe the area occupied by a package in relation to its weight.

Chargeable Weight

The credit weight is the weight used to calculate shipping costs. It is determined by comparing the actual weight to the gross weight of the shipment. The most important thing to achieve is the debt burden.

How to Calculate Chargeable Weight in Air Freight

For an airline, the credit weight is calculated using a special formula. Let’s go through the steps to calculate the weight of your airplane.

Step 1: Calculate the Actual Weight

The actual weight is the physical weight of the goods, including packaging, measured in kilograms (kg).

Step 2: Calculate the Volumetric Weight

The formula for calculating the volumetric weight for air freight is:

Volumetric Weight = (Length x Width x Height) / 6000

The dimensions are measured in centimeters (cm), and the result is in kilograms (kg).

Step 3: Determine the Chargeable Weight

After calculating both the actual and volumetric weight, compare the two. The chargeable weight will be the greater value.

How to Calculate Chargeable Weight for Sea Freight

For sea transport, the figures are different for air transport. Here’s how to calculate shipping weight for ocean shipping:

Step 1: Calculate the Actual Weight

Just like in air freight, the actual weight of the goods is determined by physically weighing them, including the packaging.

Step 2: Calculate the Volumetric Weight

The formula for calculating the volumetric weight calculation for sea freight is:

Volumetric Weight = (Length x Width x Height) / 1000
The dimensions are measured in meters (m), and the result is in cubic meters (CBM).

Step 3: Determine the Chargeable Weight

Compare the actual weight and the volumetric weight. The chargeable weight is the greater of the two.

Examples of Chargeable Weight Calculation

How to Calculate Shipping Weight

Let’s assume we have a shipment with the following measurements:

Length = 80cm
Width = 20cm
Height = 45cm
Actual Weight = 95kg
The volumetric weight will be:

Volumetric Weight = (80 x 20 x 45) / 6000 = 120kg
Comparing the volumetric weight (120kg) and the actual weight (95kg), the chargeable weight will be 120kg, as it is the greater value.

Let’s assume we have a shipment with the following measurements:

Length = 2m
Width = 1m
Height = 1.5m
Actual Weight = 2000kg
The volumetric weight will be:

Volumetric Weight = (2 x 1 x 1.5) / 1000 = 3 CBM
Now, since sea freight typically measures weight in tonnes (1000kg = 1 tonne), we need to convert the actual weight to tonnes. Thus, 2000kg translates to 2 tonnes.

Comparing the volumetric weight (3 CBM) and the actual weight (2 tonnes), the chargeable weight will be 3 CBM, as it is the greater value.

Knowing how to calculate the weight that can be paid is important for those involved in logistics. Whether you are shipping by air or sea, you can accurately determine the weight you will pay and it will have a big impact on your shipping costs. We recommend that you always calculate your payment weight before shipping to avoid unexpected fees.

This guide provides basic methods and steps, but keep in mind that many factors can affect these calculations. Always check with your carrier, as different shipping companies may use different shipping options. Finally, remember that technology can simplify these calculations. Today, there are many online tools and calculators that allow you to accurately determine your debt burden, taking into account the size and weight of your burden. Some carriers offer tools on their websites to make it easier to calculate the payload of a specific shipment.

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