Air Cargo Chargeable Weight Volumetric Explanation

In air cargo transportation, the chargeable weight and volumetric weight are used to determine the shipping costs. These concepts are important for airfreight carriers to ensure fair pricing based on the space a shipment occupies in the aircraft.

Chargeable Weight:
- The chargeable weight is the weight used to calculate the shipping cost. It may be the shipment’s actual weight or the volumetric weight, whichever is greater.
- It is expressed in kilograms or pounds, depending on the unit of measurement used by the carrier.
Volumetric Weight:
- Volumetric weight is a calculated weight based on the volume (size) of the shipment. It is used when the size of the shipment is greater than its actual weight.The formula for volumetric weight is generally expressed as follows:
Volumetric Weight (kg)=Length (cm)×Width (cm)×Height (cm)/Volumetric Factor
- The volumetric factor is a constant that may vary by carrier and is used to convert the volume into weight.
Comparison and Charge Calculation:
- The chargeable weight is determined by comparing the actual weight and volumetric weight of the shipment.The formula for chargeable weight is typically expressed as follows:
Chargeable Weight (kg)=max⁡(Actual Weight, Volumetric Weight)Chargeable Weight (kg)=max(Actual Weight, Volumetric Weight)
Example:
- Let’s say you have a package with an actual weight of 10 kg and dimensions of 50 cm x 40 cm x 30 cm.
- Volumetric weight = 50×40×30/Volumetric Factor
- If the volumetric weight is greater than 10 kg, the chargeable weight for shipping cost calculation would be the volumetric weight; otherwise, it would be the actual weight.

Using volumetric weight helps ensure that carriers are compensated appropriately for the space occupied by large but lightweight shipments. This is especially important in air cargo, where aircraft have limited space, and pricing is often based on weight and volume considerations.

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