In the air freight industry, customers often notice discrepancies between the actual shipping charges and their own cost estimates. To address this phenomenon, it's essential to understand the relationship between chargeable weight and gross weight (actual weight). Airlines calculate fees based on cargo density, which means they apply different billing standards for heavy goods versus lightweight, bulky items.
For dense cargo, the chargeable weight equals the actual weight (gross weight). However, for lightweight, bulky goods, airlines set the chargeable weight at 167 kilograms per cubic meter. There are two methods to calculate chargeable weight for such items:
1. Using the formula: Chargeable Weight (kg) = Length (cm) × Width (cm) × Height (cm) ÷ 6000
2. Multiplying the cargo volume (CBM) by 167 kilograms
It's important to note that airlines may add one to two centimeters to the external packaging measurements when assessing cargo. If boxes have protruding parts, calculations must account for these extended dimensions. Customers can verify the chargeable weight through airline websites that offer cargo tracking services.
Understanding these calculation methods helps customers better estimate shipping costs and manage air freight expenses more accurately.
