Volumetric Weight

In air freight, shipping costs are determined not just by the actual (gross) weight of a package, but also by its volumetric weight (or dimensional weight). This is because large, lightweight packages can take up significant space in an aircraft, limiting the amount of cargo that can be transported. To ensure fair pricing and efficient use of cargo space, airlines use volumetric weight to reflect the space a shipment occupies relative to its actual weight.

Volumetric weight is calculated using the following formula:

The divisor can vary depending on the airline or freight forwarder:

• 6000 is the most commonly used divisor for international air freight, as recommended by IATA (International Air Transport Association).
• 5000 is used by some carriers or for specific routes, resulting in a higher volumetric weight and, therefore, higher charges for bulky shipments.