July 8, 2026 · Freight
How to Calculate Chargeable Weight for Air and Sea Freight
Carriers bill on whichever is greater: what your shipment weighs, or how much space it occupies. Getting the calculation right is the difference between a fair rate and a surprise invoice.
Air freight — the /6000 rule
A 100 × 80 × 60 cm carton = 480,000 ÷ 6000 = 80 kg volumetric. If the actual weight is 45 kg, the chargeable weight is 80 kg. Express couriers often use /5000 — always confirm the divisor on your rate sheet.
Sea LCL — the 1 CBM = 1000 kg rule
A 2 CBM shipment weighing 1.4 tonnes is billed as 2 revenue tonnes. A 0.8 CBM shipment weighing 1.6 tonnes is billed as 1.6 revenue tonnes. Whichever is higher wins.
Practical tips
- Measure the outermost dimensions including pallet overhang.
- Round each dimension up to the next whole cm before multiplying.
- Consolidate light bulky cartons into denser pallets to reduce volumetric weight.
- For irregular shapes, use the smallest cuboid that encloses the item.
Skip the math
Our Freight CBM & Chargeable Weight Calculator handles multi-package shipments with cm/inch and kg/lb toggles in a single click.
Frequently asked questions
What is chargeable weight in freight?
Chargeable weight is the greater of a shipment's actual gross weight and its volumetric (dimensional) weight. Carriers bill on whichever is higher so that light, bulky cargo pays for the space it occupies.
How is air freight chargeable weight calculated?
Volumetric weight for air freight = (L × W × H in cm) ÷ 6000, giving a result in kg. Compare to actual gross weight in kg — the higher figure is the chargeable weight.
How is sea freight chargeable weight calculated?
Sea LCL uses 1 CBM = 1000 kg. Chargeable weight is max(gross weight in tonnes, CBM). Billing is per revenue tonne (W/M — weight or measure, whichever is greater).