Air freight
Chargeable weight: volume or kilograms?
Air freight is not billed on the scale reading but on chargeable weight. On light, bulky cargo the difference is large; knowing the maths makes quotes easy to read.
Two weights, one rule
Every shipment has two weights: the gross weight on the scale and the volumetric weight computed from dimensions. Freight is charged on whichever is greater; that figure is the chargeable weight.
How is volumetric weight calculated?
The volume in cubic centimetres is divided by 6,000 (IATA/TACT standard; express operators commonly use 5,000):
| Example box | Gross | Volumetric | Chargeable |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 × 50 × 40 cm of dense spare parts | 45 kg | 120,000 / 6,000 = 20 kg | 45 kg (gross is greater) |
| 60 × 50 × 40 cm of textiles | 12 kg | 20 kg | 20 kg (volume is greater) |
Rule of thumb: one cubic metre counts as roughly 167 kg. Express operators may use a different divisor, which is why the same box can price differently across services.
Three habits that shrink the invoice
- Declare dimensions accurately: quotes are computed on declared figures; re-measurement at the terminal lands on the invoice.
- Match the packaging to the cargo: a half-empty big box is volumetric weight bought for nothing.
- Ask us on borderline cargo: for bulky loads, sea or a combined solution sometimes changes the picture · we price the options together.
- Cargo programmes · IATA
- TACT rules · IATA
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