Volumetric Weight Explained
What Is Volumetric Weight?
Freight carriers charge based on the chargeable weight of a shipment — which is the greater of the actual (gross) weight and the volumetric (dimensional) weight.
Volumetric weight exists because a large, lightweight box takes up the same space in a plane or container as a heavy, compact one. Carriers need to account for the space a shipment occupies, not just its physical weight.
This means bulky but light goods — such as pillows, packaging materials, or assembled furniture — may be charged based on their volume rather than their weight.
- Air Freight Formula
Volumetric Weight (kg) = L × W × H (cm) ÷ 6,000
Standard IATA divisor used by most airlines and air freight forwarders worldwide.
- Sea Freight (LCL) Formula
Chargeable = greater of CBM or tonne
1 CBM = 1,000 kg for rating purposes (÷ 4,000 per kg equivalent)
Worked Example: Air Freight
Box dimensions: 80cm × 60cm × 50cm
Actual weight:Â 12 kg
Volumetric weight: 80 × 60 × 50 ÷ 6,000 = 40 kg
Chargeable weight: max(40, 12) = 40 kg → You are charged for 40 kg
Worked Example: LCL Sea Freight
Shipment volume:Â 2.5 CBM
Actual weight:Â 800 kg
W/M comparison:Â 2.5 CBM vs 0.8 tonnes
Chargeable: 2.5 CBM → You pay for 2.5 CBM (volume is higher)
How to Reduce Your Freight Costs
- Use the smallest box possible — don't leave unnecessary empty space inside packaging.
- Consolidate shipments — combine multiple orders into one to reduce per-unit overhead charges.
- Consider sea freight for bulky goods — LCL sea freight rates per CBM are much lower than air freight.
- Plan ahead — using sea freight instead of air typically saves 70–80% on freight costs for the same volume.
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