Volumetric weight
Volumetric weight is the notional weight charged for light, bulky cargo: by air 1 m³ = 167 kg, by road 1 m³ = 250 kg.
What is volumetric weight?
Volumetric (dimensional) weight is a calculated weight applied to light, bulky cargo. Air: 1 m³ = 167 kg (volume in cm³ ÷ 6,000); road: 1 m³ = 250 kg; sea LCL is simply charged per cubic metre.
The carrier charges on whichever is greater — the actual or the volumetric weight — so shipping cushions costs as much as shipping machine tools. Compact packing reduces the cost.
How it works in practice
For light, bulky goods the carrier takes the greater of the two weights. By air 1 m³ counts as 167 kg (the volume in cm³ divided by 6,000); on road freight we apply 1 m³ = 250 kg; on sea LCL the rate is per cubic metre and weight hardly matters.
That is why we recommend sending textiles, furniture, plastics and empty containers by road or sea, and keeping air freight for dense, high-value goods. The volumetric weight calculator on our site shows which weight your shipment will be charged on.
Volumetric weight: frequently asked questions
How do I calculate volumetric weight for air freight?
Multiply the length, width and height of the package in centimetres and divide by 6,000. A 60×40×40 cm carton gives 96,000 ÷ 6,000 = 16 kg; if the actual weight is lower, you will be charged for 16 kg.
Can volumetric weight be reduced?
Yes — pack more tightly: remove unnecessary cartons, vacuum-pack textiles, ship furniture flat-packed and fill pallets to full height. Sometimes repacking at the consolidation warehouse pays for itself in a single shipment.
Why does volume matter more than weight at sea?
A container runs out of space before it runs out of payload: a 40-foot container holds 67 m³ but only 26 t. So LCL rates are quoted per cubic metre, and weight only counts if the cargo is heavier than one tonne per cubic metre.
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