How to Calculate Volumetric Weight for Road, Air and Sea Freight
- Sahan Cargo
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How to calculate the volumetric weight for road freight
The volume weight is what Sahan Cargo charges you for, if the parcel is too big, but yet not too heavy. What does this mean? For example, cotton does not actually weigh a lot, but it may take a bigger portion of the carriers’ vehicle; therefore, you will be charged for that space, and not the actual weight. To compute the volume and chargeable weight, do the following:
- Measure the parcel;
- Learn what is the volumetric weight constant, or conversion factor, imposed Sahan Cargo limited.
Now, here is an example of how to calculate the volumetric weight for road freight:
When computing the road freight volumetric weight, you can either calculate the volumetric weight in meters or centimeters, by multiplying length X weight X height. You then need to divide this number by 5000. For the simplicity of the given example, we used centimeters.
Length x width x height = 60 cm x 30 cm x 50 cm = 90 000/5000 = 18 kg
Why should volumetric weight be divided by 5000?
Different carriers may charge you differently based on the type of service or their rules in general; however, for Sahan Cargo , the most common volumetric weight constant is 5000 m3/kg.
The volumetric weight constant is defined according to the type of freight (air, road, sea), the courier delivering the package and to the destination chosen: is it a domestic delivery, an international delivery, an inland delivery or a delivery to an island? In summary, you will be calculating if your package is dense enough to be charged according to its gross weight or if its volumetric weight will apply instead.
What is the chargeable weight and how to compute it?
After computing the volumetric or dimensional weight of your parcel, you only need to find out which value is higher: the gross weight or the volumetric weight. The final price for your shipment will always take into consideration the higher weight out of the two.
Is the volumetric weight the same as chargeable weight?
No. Some people assume that, for big loads, the chargeable weight is automatically the volumetric weight. However, this information is not accurate since some parcels might have a higher density and value more than their volumetric weight. In this case, the chargeable weight will be the gross weight of the box.
Air freight chargeable weight
The computation for the air freight chargeable weight is the same as the road freight volumetric weight calculation, with just a conversion factor of 6000, instead of 5000. Therefore, start again by multiplying the length X width X height and divide by 6000 to get the volumetric weight for air freight of the parcel.
Then, the carrier will charge you based on the greater weight, when compared to the gross vs the volume weight.
Sea freight chargeable weight
The calculation for sea freight chargeable weight is slightly different than road and air freight computations. Meaning, when it comes to goods transported by sea, there is a division between the heavy goods and light goods and the carrier charges based on it.
- Cargo with stowage factor less than 40 cubic/ton (or 1.1328 m3/ton), are heavy goods,
- Cargo with stowage factor more than 40 cubic/ton (or 1.1328 m3/ton) are light goods (foam goods).
Why is the volumetric weight different than the chargeable weight?
The volumetric weight is a measurement adopted by Sahan Cargo to determine the amount of space a package takes in the transport container. Whether it is a parcel sent by airfreight, road or sea freight, the volumetric weight is calculated by all the transporters as a strategy to maximize their capacity and, of course, their income.
Sahan Cargo limited see’s that all their costs regarding transport are covered. Therefore, if there is a fuel increase or any other unexpected chargers, Sahan Cargo may reflect this on the constant.
Calculating the dimensional weight or volumetric weight of a parcel was the solution found by the logistics industry to make sure that every van, truck, plane or ship is filled most effectively.