In shipping, both volumetric and actual weight are crucial in determining the shipping cost. Carriers consider the larger of the two when calculating charges, to adequately account for the space occupied by a package.
In this article, we will delve into what these terms mean, how they're calculated, and why knowing the difference between them can save you money and time.
You will find specific information on courier requirements and chargeable weights under each country section on your rates pages in the app.
What is Actual Weight?
The actual weight of a parcel is the physical weight of the item or items, including packaging, as measured in pounds or kilograms. Knowing the actual weight of your parcel is straightforward – it involves placing your packaged item on a scale and recording the result.
- Include Packaging: Always weigh your parcel after it has been fully packaged. The weight of the box, tape, and any packing materials should be included in the total weight.
- Check for Overweight Fees: Be aware of the maximum weight limits for the shipping options you're considering, as exceeding these limits can result in additional charges.
What is Volumetric/Cubic Weight?
Cubic or volumetric weight is a calculated weight that considers the density of a package. It's a theoretical weight that represents the space a package occupies in relation to its actual weight. Couriers and postal services use this measurement to ensure that they are efficiently utilizing their capacity, especially for parcels that are large but lightweight.
Formula for Calculating Cubic/Volumetric Weight
Cubic Weight is based on your shipment’s dimensions (length, width and height), and then a conversion factor or volumetric divisor is applied. A conversion factor or volumetric divisor is a number set by the shipping company or carrier that represents the amount of space one pound/kilogram of weight takes up on their transportation.
There are two ways couriers calculate cubic weight:
or
The dimensions of the parcel will be in either centimetres or metres (this is predefined by the courier and is relevant for multiplying or dividing the volumetric divisor)
Examples of Chargeable Weight Calculations
Example 1
Here is an example of an actual weight calculation. Below will show the volumetric calculation.
In the above example, the parcel has a physical weight of 10kg.
The parcel’s dimensions in metres are required to calculate the cubic volume. 20cm (L) x20cm (W) x 20cm (H)
Cubic volume = 0.20 x 0.20 x 0.20 = 0.008m3
The parcel’s cubic volume is then used to calculate the volumetric weight by applying the volumetric divisor of 250.
Volumetric weight = 0.008m3 x 250 = 2kg
Chargeable weight = 10kgs
As the actual weight of the parcel is 10kg but the volumetric weight is 2kg, you will be charged the actual weight because it’s greater.
Here is an example of cubic or volumetric weight being calculated by multiplying by the volumetric divisor:
In the above example, the parcel has a physical weight of 10kg.
The parcel’s dimensions in metres are required to calculate the cubic volume. 50.5cm (L) x 40.3cm (W) x 30.9cm (H)
Cubic volume = 0.505 x 0.403 x 0.309 = 0.062m3
The parcel’s cubic volume is then used to calculate the volumetric weight by applying the volumetric divisor of 250.
Volumetric weight = 0.062 x 250 = 15.72kg
Chargeable weight = 15.72kgs
As the physical weight of the parcel is 10kg but the volumetric weight is 15.72kg, you will be charged the volumetric weight because it’s greater.
Example 2
Here is an example of an actual weight calculation. Below will show the volumetric calculation.
In the above example, the actual weight of the parcel is 3kg.
The parcel’s dimensions in centimetres are required to calculate the cubic volume. 20cm (L) x 20cm (W) x 20cm (H)
Cubic volume = 20 x 20 x 20 = 8000cm3
The parcel’s cubic volume is then used to calculate the volumetric weight by applying the volumetric divisor of 6000.
Volumetric weight = 8000 / 6000 = 1.33kg
Chargeable weight = 3kgs
Here is an example of volumetric weight being calculated by dividing by the volumetric divisor.
In the above example, the actual weight of the parcel is 1.5kg.
The parcel’s dimensions in centimetres are required to calculate the cubic volume. 30cm (L) x 20cm (W) x 20cm (H)
Cubic volume = 30 x 20 x 20 = 12000cm3
The parcel’s cubic volume is then used to calculate the volumetric weight by applying the volumetric divisor of 6000.
Volumetric weight = 12000 / 6000 = 2kg
Chargeable weight = 2kg
Measuring odd shaped parcels
When measuring odd shaped articles such as satchels, measure the maximum points.
Viewing Volumetric Surcharges in Your Billing Reports
You can easily see volumetric/chargeable weight surcharges in your billing reports. If a courier reports a weight heavier than what you've provided in the Borderless app, a new shipping transaction reflecting this difference will be generated.
Your volumetric/chargeable weight transaction description will also reflect the real weight registered by the courier when receiving and shipping your parcel.
So, if the weight of the parcel is 0.3kg in our system, but actually weight 0.5kg, the surcharge description will show 0.5kg for clarity.
Steps to View Volumetric Surcharges:
- Navigate to the Billing Section: Select Billing from the sidebar
- Find the Appropriate Wallet: Locate the wallet that corresponds to the currency of the sales invoices you want to check. For this example, we'll use the USD wallet.
- Click on "View" to see all invoices: Identify the invoice that pertains to Volumetric/Chargeable weight surcharges.
- Check Attachments: In the invoice attachments, look for the CSV file. This file contains detailed billing information.
- Review the Report: Open the CSV file to view detailed information, including:
- Reference
- Sender address
- Receiver address
- Zone
- Description specifying it is for volumetric chargeable weight surcharge
- Total weight (KG)
- Total charged weight (KG)
- Cost
- Service
- Total charged quantity
- Dimensions
- Actual weight
- Volumetric weight
- Chargeable weight
- The difference in declared and actual weight of the order
- The amount you have already paid
- The amount calculated based on the actual weight
In order to provide as much transparency as possible, the Description field will include the following:
e.g. Volumetric/Chargeable weight surcharge based on courier scan, difference in total charged weight 0.9 kg from declared weight. Previously paid 9.26 from total shipping cost of 14.92. You don’t need to do anything to see these changes—they will automatically appear in your billing reports. By following these steps, you can easily track volumetric surcharges and make better decisions regarding your shipping costs.