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Chargeable Weight Formula:
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Chargeable Weight (CW) is the greater of either the Actual Weight (AW) or the Volumetric Weight (VW) of a shipment. It is used by freight carriers to determine shipping costs, ensuring that both heavy and lightweight but bulky items are priced appropriately.
The calculator uses the chargeable weight formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula compares the actual physical weight with the volumetric weight (which accounts for the space an item occupies) and selects the higher value for billing purposes.
Details: Accurate chargeable weight calculation is essential for fair freight pricing, optimizing cargo space utilization, and ensuring that shipping costs reflect both weight and volume considerations in logistics operations.
Tips: Enter both actual weight and volumetric weight in kilograms. Both values must be valid (non-negative numbers). The calculator will automatically determine which value is higher and display the chargeable weight.
Q1: How is volumetric weight calculated?
A: Volumetric weight is typically calculated as (Length × Width × Height) / Volumetric Factor, where the volumetric factor varies by carrier and mode of transport.
Q2: Why do carriers use chargeable weight?
A: Carriers use chargeable weight to ensure they are compensated appropriately for both heavy items (which consume fuel) and lightweight but bulky items (which consume cargo space).
Q3: What's the typical volumetric factor for air freight?
A: For air freight, the common volumetric factor is 6000 cm³/kg (or 166.67 kg/m³), though this may vary by airline.
Q4: How accurate does the weight measurement need to be?
A: Weight measurements should be as precise as possible, typically measured to at least 0.1 kg accuracy for fair billing.
Q5: Do all carriers use the same calculation method?
A: While the max(AW, VW) principle is standard, volumetric factors and rounding practices may vary between carriers and transport modes.