1 Actual weight
What your cargo weighs on a scale once it is packed, packaging included. Also called gross weight.
How we charge
Freight comes down to three things: how heavy your cargo is, how much space it takes, and which service it travels by. This page explains the terms. Actual prices are set out in your quotation.
Three weights
Three kinds of “weight”
For air freight and express, the freight usually isn't based on the scale reading alone.
2 Volumetric weight
A weight worked out from the space the cargo takes up. Light, bulky cargo is charged on this.
L × W × H (cm) ÷ divisor
3 Chargeable weight
Compare the actual weight with the volumetric weight. The freight is based on whichever is greater.
Take the greater
Two examples
Worked out with a divisor of 6000, for illustration only.
A carton of books
40 × 30 × 30 cm · 20 kg
- Actual weight
- 20.00 kg
- Volumetric weight
- 6.00 kg
Charged by actual weight
A carton of cushions
60 × 50 × 40 cm · 5 kg
- Actual weight
- 5.00 kg
- Volumetric weight
- 20.00 kg
Charged by volumetric weight
Calculator
Measure it and work it out
Enter the size and weight of each piece to get the volumetric weight, the chargeable weight and the volume.
Result
Chargeable weight
0.00 kg
Fill in the size and weight and the result appears here.
- Actual weight
- — kg
- Volumetric weight
- — kg
Volume
What matters most for shared sea freight
— m³
Figures are rounded to two decimals. How the weight is rounded up for billing, and any minimum chargeable weight, differ by channel, so go by your quotation.
By service
Each service is charged its own way
The same cargo is charged in completely different ways by air and by sea.
Air freight
By chargeable weight
The greater of actual and volumetric weight, multiplied by a rate per kilogram. The lighter and bulkier the cargo, the more the volumetric weight matters.
Learn more
International express
By chargeable weight
Chargeable weight again, as with air freight. The divisor, rounding and minimum weight depend on the express channel.
Learn more
Sea freight, shared container
By volume or weight
Your cargo shares a container with others (LCL). It is normally charged by volume in cubic metres. Very heavy cargo is charged by weight instead, whichever comes out greater.
Learn more
Sea freight, full container
Per container
A whole container for your cargo alone (FCL), charged by container type and count. How full it is matters little, as long as it stays within the weight limit.
Learn more
Other charges
What you may pay on top of freight
These are common types and don't apply to every shipment. Whether they apply and how much they are is set out in your quotation.
Fuel surcharge
Moves with fuel prices and is collected by the shipping line, airline or courier, usually as a share of the freight or per kilogram.
Remote-area surcharge
Added when the delivery address is in an area the carrier classes as remote.
Oversize and overweight
Added when a single piece exceeds the channel's length or weight limits. Very large pieces may need a different service.
Special cargo handling
Cargo with batteries, magnets or liquids needs a dedicated channel or testing first.
Packing and reinforcement
Materials and labour when cargo needs a new carton, a wooden frame or extra protection.
Inspection and storage
Costs arising from a customs inspection, or from cargo waiting at a port or warehouse.
Import duty and tax are usually not part of the freight
When cargo enters the destination country, local customs charges duty and tax based on the type of goods and the declared value.
- They are set by customs at the destination, not by our freight rates
- The recipient normally pays, though some routes are quoted with tax included
- Your quotation states whether tax is included
This page explains the method, not the price. The price of each shipment is the one in the quotation our team sends you.
Get a quoteMore in the help center
Something to ship? Ask for a quote
Tell us what you are shipping, from where and to where. We will get back to you with a plan and a price.