To calculate chargeable weight for air freight, first measure the dimensions of your shipment (length, width, height). Then, calculate the volumetric weight using the formula: (Length x Width x Height) / 6000. Compare the volumetric weight to the actual weight of your shipment. The higher value between the two is the chargeable weight, which will be used to determine your shipping costs.
In international trade, there are many methods of transporting goods. Many businesses use air transport to transport high-value goods. Therefore, knowing how to calculate chargeable weight for air freight is important for business owners to ensure efficient cost management and reduce transportation risk.
Chargeable weight in air freight is a crucial factor for calculating shipping costs. The name of that airline implies between actual weight and volumetric weight, which is higher, it will become a chargeable weight. In this article, we will underline the difference between actual and volumetric weights, how to calculate chargeable weight for air freight, and a step-by-step guide. Let’s get started!
What is chargeable weight in air freight?
Defining chargeable weight
Chargeable weight is a measurement that is prescribed by carriers to determine the transportation cost businesses have to pay for them. It can be gross weight (actual weight) or dimensional weight (volumetric weight), based on which is higher will be chosen.
Air cargo chargeable weight for international shipping is different from air express service. To calculate volumetric weight, we need the dimension of the shipment and divide the results by 6000 (IATA recommends for air freight).
Knowing chargeable weight will help logistics managers estimate shipping costs and plan budgets. It also affects carrier policies and logistics planning.
Actual weight vs. volumetric weight
Here, we will show the difference between actual and volumetric weight for air cargo:
- Actual weight: Measure the whole shipment, including the cargo and packaging, by technical or standard scales.
- Dimensional weight (volumetric weight) formula = (Length x Width x Height) / Dimensional factor (unit centimeters).
The dimensional factor is often 5000 for express service and 6000 for standard service.
Actual weight is used for straightforward air freight rates, it’s quite simple to have a result. While volumetric weight is calculated by the dimension of shipment, the described space the cargo occupies. Volumetric weight is crucial for huge and light packages, it ensures the equal for the shippers in calculating air freight.
The importance of chargeable weight in air freight
Why does volumetric weight matter for air freight rates? Shipping carriers or airlines use chargeable weight to calculate shipping costs to ensure that any size of goods is charged accurately and fairly for shipping. In addition, they want to avoid false size declarations that can lead to many other problems and costs.
Logistics providers use chargeable weight to optimize cargo space due to space limitations. They can maximize space on airplanes and, from this, increase efficient operations.
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How to calculate chargeable weight for air freight ?
How to determine a chargeable weight for air freight shipping? Let’s follow and practice with a step-by-step guide to calculate chargeable weight for air freight below:
Step 1: Measure the dimensions of the cargo
Measuring the dimensions of the cargo is a simple process. Put the package on a smooth surface and measure it with tape or a ruler. Measure dimensions follow:
- Length: Measure the longest size of the package cargo.
- Width: Measure the facet perpendicular to the length.
- Height: Measure from the ground to the highest of the cargo.
If the cargo is packed, you should measure the external dimensions of the goods. After measuring, double-check to ensure the accuracy dimensions to avoid additional fees for calculating air freight.
Step 2: Calculate the volumetric weight
How to calculate volumetric weight for air freight? After having the size measurement results, we proceed to calculate volumetric weight by the formula below:
- Volumetric weight = (Length x Width x Height) / default number
The default number is 5000 for air express and 6000 for air cargo.
The unit of measurement is centimeters.
Calculating the volumetric weight is so simple for everyone to do; logistics coordinators can use the above formula to estimate the dimensional weight of the shipments and manage shipping costs.
Step 3: Compare actual weight vs. volumetric weight
To compare the actual weight vs. volumetric weight, let’s follow these steps and examples below:
- Step 1: Measure the actual weight.
- Step 2: Calculate the volumetric weight.
- Step 3: Compare two weights to determine the chargeable weight.
For example: There is a palletized shipment, the gross weight is 250 kg, and the dimensions are 120 cm (L) x 110 cm (W) x 80 cm (H). Shipping by air cargo method, we will have volumetric weight the following result:
- Volumetric weight = 120 x 110 x 80 / 6000 = 176 kg
- Actual weight = gross weight = 250 kg
From the results, you can see the actual weight is higher than the volumetric weight, so the chargeable weight of this shipment is 250 kg. This is also the weight that the airline chooses to calculate air freight.
Step 4: Determine the chargeable weight
Chargeable weight is determined by comparing the actual weight and volumetric weight, whichever is higher:
- Chargeable weight = maximum of (actual weight; volumetric weight)
The shipping cost is determined based on the chargeable weight. The airlines will have a base air freight structure depending on trade lanes, regions, origins, and destinations, and it will change according to weight levels. There are six weight levels, including -45kg, +45kg, +100kg, +300kg, +500kg, and +1000kg. These weight levels establish the base air freight.
For example: Turkish Airlines quoted air freight from SGN – LUX as: A/F (+100kg): USD 10/kg and A/F (+300kg): USD 8/kg. After calculating charges higher than 100kg or 300kg, we will choose the corresponding air freight and determine the shipping cost.
Tools for calculating chargeable weight
Air freight chargeable weight calculation can become straightforward, fast, and accurate with the help of calculating tools. We will highlight the best tools and calculators for air freight chargeable weight below:
FedEx air freight calculator
FedEx’s air freight weight calculator makes users easily estimate shipping costs and ensures all costs have to be paid for by the airline.
Below is an image of FedEx’s online tool to calculate chargeable weight and determine air freight. You can do the following:
- Step 1: Access the FedEx website.
- Step 2: Find the “Shipping” tab and select “Shipping rates and delivery times”.
- Step 3: Fill in the origin, destination, and zip code at the destination.
- Step 4: Provide full cargo information, including packaging, number of packages, package weight, dimensions, and estimated departure day.
- Step 5: After filling out all the details, FedEx’s tool will show the air weight of the shipment.
DHL express freight calculator
Calculating international shipping charges is an easy process to ask for having DHL’s freight tools. Let’s come into details:
- Step 1: Access to the DHL website and find the “Ship” section. Click “Get a quote”.
- Step 2: Select the type of shipment (commercial or personal) and enter the origin and destination, zip code.
- Step 3: Describe the cargo details.
- Step 4: Get a quote for your cargo.
Please take note of DHL’s online tool if your cargo is non-stackable or stackable.
UPS freight shipping calculator
UPS has an online platform that allows users to access and calculate chargeable weight and freight charges quickly. Here’s the process:
- Step 1: Entry the UPS website, find “Shipping” -> choose “Calculate Shipping Cost” -> click the “Freight” tab -> choose “Get a Quote Air Freight”.
- Step 2: Fill out the origin location and destination location.
- Step 3: Select payment terms including prepaid freight billed to the shipper or collect freight billed to the consignee.
- Step 4: Fill out commodity information.
- Step 5: UPS calculator toll will create air quotations for the users.
Freightos air freight rate calculator
Freightos is a rates platform for comparing chargeable weight and freight charges from various airlines. Logistics managers can approach the Freightos website and search rates to compare, book, and manage airfreight. Please pay attention to palletized shipments and the pallet size follows EU standards.
Kuehne + Nagel quote tool
Kuehne + Nagel also has an online tool to estimate chargeable weight and shipping costs. Please follow the instructions to calculate air freight:
- Step 1: Gate away the Kuehne + Nagel’s website.
- Step 2: Choose “Quote for airfreight” and the system displays where information needs to be entered.
- Step 3: Select origin and destination.
- Step 4: Provide cargo details and choose Incoterm “Prepaid” or “Collect”.
- Step 5: Click “Get a Quote,” and the estimated shipping costs for the shipment will be a result.
Common mistakes to avoid when calculating chargeable weight
To calculate chargeable weight for air freight, you must carefully prevent costly risks. Be aware of some common mistakes below:
Incorrect measurements
The exact measurement plays an important role in determining accurate volumetric weight. In addition, delivering goods by air is an expensive means of transportation in the logistics industry. If you make incorrect measurements, you must overpay for air freight and some extra charges.
On the other hand, some airlines have rules on calculating volumetric weight. Shippers should comply with these regulations to prevent risks. Specifically, incorrect measurements lead to penalty charges and delayed shipments, which reduces customer satisfaction in trading goods.
Forgetting about packaging
Forgetting about packaging for a shipment is unacceptable. Let’s dive into these reasons for that:
- Inadequately charged shipping costs: If goods are not packed, leading to incorrect measurements, the calculated volumetric weight will be lower than having packaging. This results in delivering warehouses at the airport and the operation will re-package and re-measure, then the overall air freight will increase significantly.
- Risks in transportation: For some kind of special cargo, such as hazardous cargo or perishable cargo,…that must be packed in specialized boxes to prevent risks and damages during transit.
- Customer Dissatisfaction: The customer is quoted as unpackaging cargo. However, there is air freight after packing the goods, which increases the cargo price, which makes customers dissatisfied.
Not accounting for surcharges
There are also many other freight surcharges and additional charges in air cargo rates. For example, fuel surcharges can change based on market conditions, season, or shipping volume. If fuel surcharges are, logistics coordinators will face unexpected costs that stress budgets and financial planning.
Not accounting for fuel surcharges also makes businesses’ profit margins decrease. After quoting customers, businesses must compensate for the loss due to forgetting the fuel surcharge in the air quotation.
Additional surcharges in air freight quotations are important with budget planning in the export-import process. Business owners should take notice of this issue to manage finances efficiently.
Conclusion
Understanding chargeable weight in air freight and how to calculate chargeable weight for air freight plays a vital role in determining shipping costs, upgrading logistics planning, and making the right decision on selecting suitable goods transportation.
If you want to become a logistics coordinator or sales logistics, let’s use and practice the suggested calculators to try calculating chargeable weight and air freights. Practice makes perfect!
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FAQs
What is the formula for calculating chargeable weight in air freight?
The chargeable weight formula for air cargo compares actual and volumetric weights.
- Chargeable weight = maximum of (actual weight; volumetric weight)
How is volumetric weight calculated for air freight?
The volume metric weight is an indispensable factor in calculating air freight. Let’s see the formula below:
- Volumetric weight = (Length x Width x Height) / default number (unit centimeters)
The default number is 5000 for air express and 6000 for air cargo.
What’s the difference between actual weight and chargeable weight?
Actual weight is measured based on real cargo dimensions. In contrast, chargeable weight is a factor in calculating air freight and determining how much you have to pay to ship the shipment internationally.
Can I reduce my air freight costs by optimizing chargeable weight?
Yes, you can. For light cargo, you can use smaller boxes to pack the goods. Or you can combine small shipments into big ones and packed in one pallet to save space and reduce costs.
References:
- https://dhl-freight-connections.com/en/logistics-dictionary/freight-prepaid/
- https://www.time-matters.com/emergency-logistics-glossary/chargeable-weight/
- https://sell.amazon.in/grow-your-business/amazon-global-selling/blogs/freight-collect-vs-freight-prepaid#:~:text=Freight%20collect%20refers%20to%20a,the%20carrier%20or%20shipping%20agent.
