Volumetric Weight or Actual Weight for Air Freight Shipping?

The air freight price can be calculated using two methods. The first being the most obvious: The cost per kilogram multiplied with the cargo weight.

However, given that an Airbus or Boeing has a relatively limited cargo space, weight is not the only factor to consider. For low density cargo (i.e., low weight, high volume), you will be charged based on the volume rather than the weight.

As such, Apparel is rarely delivered by air, while expensive electronic devices often are.

Case Study A (Actual weight applies)

• Dimensions: 0.8 x 1.2 x 0.6 m (Equals: 0.576 cbm)
• Actual Weight: 150 kg
• Volumetric factor: 167
• Volumetric weight: 0.576 cbm x 167 = 96.192 kg
• Rate: 3.5 USD / kg

Result: The actual cargo weight is higher than the volumetric weight and thus the actual weight is applied.

Total price: 3.5 USD x 150 kg = 525 USD (equals 3.5 USD per kilogram)

Case Study B (Volumetric weight applies)

• Dimensions: 0.8 x 1.2 x 0.6 m (Equals: 0.576 cbm)
• Actual Weight: 80 kg
• Volumetric factor: 167
• Volumetric weight: 0.576 cbm x 167 = 96.192 kg
• Rate: 4.6 USD / kg

Result: The actual cargo weight (80 kgs) is lower than the volumetric weight (96.192 kg) and thus the volumetric weight is applied

Total price: 4.6 USD x 97 = 446.2 USD (equals 5.5775 USD per kilogram)

Calculating Volumetric Weight

Volumetric (or dimensional) weight is calculated by multiplying the length x height x width of a package and dividing the result by a volumetric factor.

That factor varies with the unit of measure. Since we use kilograms to calculate shipping charges, we use the following formulas to calculate volumetric weight: