Operator glossary
Volumetric (dimensional) weight
Air freight's answer to fluffy cargo — you pay the greater of actual weight or volume-derived weight (length×width×height ÷ divisor) — the formula that makes packaging density a freight decision.
Air pricing bills chargeable weight: the greater of scale weight and volumetric weight, computed as dimensions divided by a divisor — commonly 5,000 (cm³/kg) for express couriers and 6,000 for air freight. A light, boxy product (pillows, insulated cups in retail boxes) can bill at twice its scale weight; density above the divisor's threshold makes actual weight govern and volume ride free.
It rewrites first-leg math per product: dense goods fly economically, fluffy goods should sail — or ship knocked-down, master-cartoned tighter, or with retail packaging added stateside. Before quoting any air lane, compute both weights per master carton; the chargeable one is your real rate.
The numbers
- Chargeable weight = max(actual, L×W×H ÷ divisor); divisors ≈ 5,000 (express) and 6,000 (air freight), cm/kg.
- Fluffy products bill on volume — densify cartons, sail instead, or add retail packaging at destination.