Volumetric Weight (Dimensional Weight)
Volumetric weight is a weight derived from a shipment's volume so that light but bulky goods are charged fairly. The IATA standard for air cargo takes length × width × height in cm divided by 6,000, about 166.67 kg per m³. Couriers and express services often divide by 5,000, or 200 kg per m³, depending on company policy. A 120 × 80 × 100 cm crate comes to 160 kg with the 6,000 divisor but 192 kg with 5,000.
Related terms
- Chargeable Weight
Chargeable weight is the weight used to price a shipment: the greater of the actual gross weight and the volumetric weight.
- CBM (Cubic Metre)
CBM, the cubic metre, is the volume unit for cargo: length × width × height in metres, times the number of packages.
- ULD (Unit Load Device)
A ULD is an aircraft container or pallet used to consolidate many pieces so they can be loaded quickly and locked into the aircraft floor system.
- Packing List
A packing list itemises a shipment package by package: package numbers, packaging type, contents, net and gross weights, dimensions and shipping marks.