Calculation of volumetric weight

Every year, the global demand for air cargo is increasing for its speed and security, and although air cargo only accepts lightweight parcels, cargo companies have begun to set new standards for the pricing of the shipment according to its size, due to the small space of the plane compared to ships and cargo ships, and so companies began by deciding the cargo cost according to the volumetric weight of the parcel rather than its actual weight. What is volumetric weight, and what is the difference between it and the actual weight, does it actually affect cargo prices, how is volumetric weight calculated, and can it be affected by packaging? You will learn about all this in the following article:

What is volumetric weight?

Dimensional weight is the criterion used by air cargo companies to calculate the cost of cargo. This criterion includes, in addition to the weight of the shipment, its length, width, and height, for regulatory considerations inside the cargo plane.

The difference between the actual weight and volumetric weight

Although both terms express weight, actual weight refers to the weight of the shipment and is measured in kilograms, while volumetric weight refers to the dimensions of the package and is measured in cubic meters plus kilograms.

How to calculate volumetric weight

To calculate the volumetric weight of the shipment, the height is multiplied by the length and width and the result is divided by a certain number specified by the cargo company. The volumetric weight is approved if it exceeds the actual size of the shipment, and this often happens with cosmetic products such as perfumes, creams, bags, and others.

Most major cargo companies provide calculators on their websites to calculate the combined weight.

On this basis, the cost of cargo can be affected by the amount of space occupied by the cargo on the aircraft, regardless of its actual weight.

Here comes a very important process, which is the packaging process. Professional packaging plays a major role in reducing cargo costs by at least 20% in most cases.

Packaging aims to protect goods from being damaged, and each cargo company has its own way of choosing the appropriate materials for packing parcels, but we can talk about the types and materials of packing in general.

First, the goods are placed in non-durable postal boxes, or in factory boxes, and this is more durable. The packing staff in the cargo company removes the fragile mailboxes and puts the goods in sealed plastic bags and then in sturdy cardboard boxes proportional to the size of the goods, and the box is reinforced by placing Airbags in the empty spaces to give the goods additional protection, or wrap the goods with air bubble bags, and finally, the box is closed with a strong adhesive tape.

It should be noted that packing personnel does not remove factory packaging, especially if the shipment is electronic gadgets, cosmetics, or toys, due to the possibility of damage or breakage when trying to remove it from the factory box.

The packaging components may increase or decrease the weight of the parcel, and in both cases, it will positively affect the volumetric weight of the shipment, in addition to doubling the protection for it during its journey across the world to reach its destination.

Do you still have questions about volumetric weight? Or are you looking for a reliable cargo company? Contact us at Şark Cargo Company and we will be pleased to answer your inquiries and provide you with our best services.