When it comes to air freight the chargeable weight often causes a lot of confusion. The First thing one needs to understand is that shipments has two weights; the actual weight which could be in pounds(lbs) or in Kilograms(kg) and the dimensional weight which could be in cubic meters(cbm). The standard way of quoting for airfreight is not just based on the actual weight, it is based on whichever weight is higher between dimensional weight and actual weight.
As a Consequentially, one need to always calculate both weights. If the calculated dimensional volumetric weight is higher than the actual gross weight of your goods, the dimensional volumetric weight be the chargeable weight. If the actual weight is higher, then that will be your chargeable weight. There is a major reason for this and that is, the space in air planes is limited and the costs are higher than for sea freight. Goods with a low weight, but high volume would take up all the space but not cover the costs to operate an aircraft.
To calculate the chargeable weight of any item,;
First, find out the dimensions (Length x Width x Height) of your air freight.
Secondly, Use the following numbers to obtain the volumetric weight:
1. dimensional weight in kilograms using inches – divide the cubic inch result by 366
2. dimensional weight in kilograms using centimetres – divide the cubic centimetre result by 6000
3. dimensional weight in pounds using inches – divide the cubic inch result by 166 (only necessary when shipping from or to the USA)
Now, to determine the chargeable weight in air shipments, you must first calculate the gross weight and the volumetric weight.
Example:
10 packages
Dimensions of each package: 100cmx90cmx80cm
Weight of each package: 100kgs (gross weight)
1. CALCULATION OF THE GROSS WEIGHT OF THE CARGO
The gross weight is what the cargo weighs on the scale.
10 packages X 100 Kilos each = 1000kgs.
The total gross weight of our cargo is 1000Kgs
2. CALCULATION OF THE VOLUME OF THE CARGO
For air freight, we must calculate the cargo volume in cubic meter to reach the volumetric weight.
Dimensions of one package in centimeter; 100cm x 90cm x 80 cm
Dimensions of one package in meter: 1m x 0,9m x 0,8m
Volume of one package; 1m x 0,9m x 0,8m = 0,72 cbm (cubic meter)
10 packages X 0,72 cbm = 7,2 cbm
Total volume of the cargo = 7,2 cbm
3. CALCULATION OF THE VOLUMETRIC WEIGHT OF THE CARGO
You have to multiply the cargo volume with the air shipment volumetric weight constant to reach the volumetric weight.
Air freight transportation mode considers that 167 Kgs = 1 cbm
Air shipment volumetric weight constant = 167 kgs / cbm
Volumetric Weight= Total volume of the cargo x air shipment volumetric weight constant
Volumetric Weight= 7,2 cbm x 167 kgs/ cbm = 1202,4 kgs
4. CALCULATION OF THE CHARGEABLE WEIGHT OF THE CARGO
You compare the gross weight with the volumetric weight of the cargo. The amount the biggest is the chargeable weight for that shipment.
The gross weight of our cargo is 1000kgs.
The Volumetric Weight of our cargo is 1202,4 kgs.
Volumetric weight is higher than the actual gross weight. The chargeable weight in this example is the volumetric weight.
We will use the chargeable weight 1202.4Kgs to calculate our air transportation costs.
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