Why volumetric weight exists
Aircraft capacity is limited by both weight and space. Large but light cargo is therefore compared against a volume-based weight.
Shipping Guide
Air Freight Volumetric and Chargeable Weight Guide
Understand volumetric, gross and chargeable weight for air freight, including dimensions, package count, divisors and irregular cargo.
Common calculation logic
When dimensions are in centimetres, a common method multiplies length, width, height and quantity, then divides by an agreed divisor. The divisor can vary by carrier and service.
Understanding chargeable weight
Chargeable weight commonly references the greater of gross and applicable volumetric weight, with possible minimum, oversize or special-handling rules.
Reducing measurement errors
Measure the outside of the packed cargo, separate different carton sizes and include pallets or reinforcement rather than using only product dimensions.
Next Step
Turn the guide into a practical enquiry
Use the calculators and route pages to prepare a more complete enquiry.