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How to Calculate the Volumetric Weight of Goods for Expedition Shipping
A goods delivery service will always calculate the volume of goods before they are shipped. Here's how!
Delivery services and expedition companies generally have a method for calculating the weight of goods when you send a package. Not sure what volumetric weight means? In this article we will explain it so that you understand how shipping charges are calculated by expedition services. Usually, when you ship goods, they are weighed and their weight (in kilograms) is calculated for shipping by land, sea or air. The calculation can use the actual weight or the volumetric weight, which applies when goods are large but light and are therefore charged by volume. The resulting weight is then multiplied by the rate for the destination city according to the published rates on the website, giving the total shipping cost to be paid. Below is an explanation of how the weight (volume) of goods is calculated.
Actual Weight
The weight of goods measured on a scale is called the actual weight, generally expressed in kilograms (Kg). People who often ship goods will be familiar with the weighing process at expedition, logistics or cargo delivery services. The result is usually not a round number, for example 8.12 kilograms or 8.76 kilograms, so a rounding policy, up or down, is often applied. For example, 8.12 kilograms is rounded down to 8 kilograms, while 8.76 is rounded up to 9 kilograms. Keep in mind that every expedition, cargo or logistics service has its own policy for rounding the weight of goods.
Volumetric Weight Formula for Land & Sea Cargo
First, the goods are weighed to determine their weight, for example 8 kilograms. Then the length, width and height of the goods are measured to apply the volume formula. The volume formula for land or sea cargo is: length x width x height (cm) : 4000 = …. Kilograms. For example, goods measuring 73.14 x 17.88 x 48 (cm) : 4000 = 15.69 (16 Kilograms). With this volume calculation, the actual weighed weight does not apply. The chargeable weight will be the volumetric weight of 16 Kilograms.
Volumetric Weight Formula for Air Cargo
For shipments by air cargo, the volume formula differs from that for land cargo. The volume formula for air cargo is: length x width x height (cm) : 6000 =…Kilograms. For example, goods shipped by air with the same dimensions as the land cargo example, 73.14 x 17.88 x 48 (cm) : 6000 = 10.46 (10 Kilograms). The weight used for shipping is then the volumetric weight, and the weighed weight does not apply.
That is the explanation of volumetric weight calculation for air, land and sea cargo shipments. Choose the option whose shipping cost best fits your budget. We hope this article helps you or serves as a reference before you ship goods through a delivery service. If you have any questions after reading this article, we will be happy to help.