When importing goods from China by air, the price is not always based on the actual weight of the shipment. Airlines and freight forwarders use chargeable weight, which compares the actual weight of the cargo with the space it occupies. This is why a lightweight but bulky shipment can sometimes cost more than a smaller, heavier one.
Understanding chargeable weight before requesting a quotation helps avoid unexpected cost increases once the goods are measured at the origin warehouse.
What is chargeable weight?
Chargeable weight is the weight used to calculate an air freight quotation. It is based on whichever is greater: the actual gross weight of the shipment or its volumetric weight.
Actual gross weight includes the goods, packaging, pallets and any protective materials. Volumetric weight reflects the amount of space the cargo takes up in the aircraft.
How volumetric weight is calculated
For most international air freight, volumetric weight is calculated using this formula:
Length in cm x width in cm x height in cm, divided by 6,000.
The result is the volumetric weight in kilograms.
For example, if a pallet measures 120 cm x 100 cm x 100 cm, the calculation is:
120 x 100 x 100 = 1,200,000
1,200,000 divided by 6,000 = 200 kg volumetric weight.
If the actual weight of the pallet is 150 kg, the chargeable weight would be 200 kg, because the volumetric weight is higher. If the actual weight were 250 kg, the chargeable weight would be 250 kg.
Why airlines use volumetric weight
Aircraft have limits on both weight and space. A shipment of lightweight plastic products may weigh very little but occupy a large amount of aircraft capacity. Volumetric weight ensures that the airline is compensated for the space used, not only the physical weight carried.
This is particularly relevant for products such as clothing, toys, plastic household goods, packaging, insulation, furniture components and other lightweight but bulky items.
How to reduce chargeable weight
The most effective way to reduce air freight cost is to reduce the volume of the shipment without compromising product protection.
• Use compact cartons that fit the product properly, rather than oversized boxes with excess empty space.
• Remove unnecessary retail packaging where practical, provided the goods remain protected and compliant.
• Consolidate cartons onto fewer, efficiently packed pallets where possible.
• Avoid excessive internal packaging, while still ensuring fragile goods are adequately protected.
• Consider sea freight or rail freight for bulky, non-urgent shipments where the lower cost per cubic metre outweighs the longer transit time.
Chargeable weight for courier shipments
Express courier services also use volumetric weight, although the divisor used can differ depending on the carrier and service. This means a shipment that is economical by standard air freight may become expensive by courier if it is bulky.
Before choosing between courier, air freight and sea freight, it is worth comparing the chargeable weight under each option rather than relying on the actual weight alone.
Talk to us about your next shipment
Chargeable weight can have a major impact on the final cost of an air shipment, especially for lightweight or bulky goods.
At CMGT Logistics, we review the dimensions and packing configuration of your shipment before quoting, so you receive a realistic air freight price and clear advice on whether air, sea or courier is the most cost-effective option.
Contact CMGT Logistics to discuss your next shipment or request a competitive freight quotation.
