Understand the mathematics of global shipping. Explore chargeable weights, volumetric calculations, and use our interactive calculator to estimate how carriers charge for cargo.
In international logistics, carriers do not bill shipments based solely on gross physical weight. A box filled with cotton occupies significant space inside an aircraft cargo hold but weighs very little. Conversely, a steel block takes up minimal room but is extremely heavy.
To balance this, carriers use Chargeable Weight. It represents the larger value between the physical Gross Weight and the calculated Volumetric (Dimensional) Weight.
The actual cost of carriage between ports or airports, calculated based on chargeable weight or container volume.
Bunker Adjustment Factor or Fuel Adjustment Factor offsets fluctuating oil prices.
Fees charged by ports/airports for loading, unloading, and moving containers.
Fees for preparing Bills of Lading, Air Waybills, and export declarations.
CBM stands for Cubic Meter. It is the primary metric unit utilized to measure volume in ocean and road freight. 1 CBM is exactly 1m × 1m × 1m.
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