In today's globalized business environment, air freight has emerged as a critical logistics solution for companies seeking efficient supply chain management. When reviewing air freight quotes, you may have noticed a small but significant "+" symbol appearing next to weight measurements. While easily overlooked, this notation carries important implications for cost calculations.
Understanding Weight Classifications
For businesses and logistics professionals, interpreting these notations is essential for accurate budgeting. When a quote displays "100+", this indicates that the shipment will exceed 100 kilograms. This straightforward notation helps companies better estimate transportation costs when selecting logistics solutions.
Air freight pricing typically follows a tiered system based on predetermined weight brackets—such as 45+, 100+, or 200+—with each threshold corresponding to different rate structures. However, the complexity of air freight pricing extends beyond simple weight measurements.
The Critical Distinction: Heavy vs. Volumetric Cargo
Air freight categorizes shipments into two fundamental types: heavy cargo and volumetric (or "bulky") cargo. Heavy cargo refers to shipments where costs are calculated directly by weight. Volumetric cargo, however, follows different pricing rules.
Volumetric cargo describes lightweight but large items—such as furniture or apparel—where the physical volume exceeds what would be expected for their actual weight. The classification threshold is determined by a specific formula: length × width × height (in centimeters) divided by 5,000 (a reduction from the previous standard divisor of 6,000).
Example calculation: For a box measuring 60cm × 50cm × 40cm, the volumetric weight would be (60 × 50 × 40) ÷ 5,000 = 24kg. If this figure exceeds the actual weight, the shipment is classified as volumetric cargo, and pricing is based on the calculated dimensional weight rather than physical weight.
Strategic Implications for Businesses
These classification systems and pricing structures create a complex landscape for air freight decisions. Companies that thoroughly understand these concepts can make more informed logistics choices, potentially avoiding unnecessary costs and optimizing operational efficiency.
The ability to properly classify shipments and interpret freight quotes has become an essential business skill. Organizations that master these logistics nuances stand to gain significant cost savings and competitive advantages in today's fast-paced global marketplace.
