Volumetric weight
Encyclopedia
Volumetric weight, also known as Dimensional weight
, is used by postal companies and other freight industries and courier services around the world to invoice for the actual space that a parcel, package or pallet takes up in a vehicle or storage area. A vehicle can quickly become full of bulky, lightweight articles long before it reaches its capacity in weight which makes for inefficient use of space.
The result of this calculation is that if a consignment's density
is one-sixth that of water or more, then its volumetric weight is less than the normal weight in kilograms, whereas if its density is less than one-sixth that of water, then its volumetric weight is more than its weight in kilograms. Transport and postal companies will charge based on the greater of these two calculations.
to calculate the volumetric weight of their parcels and pallets. Companies with large shipping departments use these systems to measure all outgoing items to ensure that they don't receive back charges from their carrier who invoices using the dimensional weight
rate system.
Note that the formula for pallet
s is different—for pallets, the calculation is to divide by 3,000, not 6,000, so the volumetric weight is twice as much.
International express shipping companies such as DHL
apply this formula but dividing by 5,000 instead of 6,000. Other shipping companies may use a different divisor.
Dimensional weight
Dimensional weight, used in shipping and freight, is a billing technique which takes into account the XYZ axis dimensions of a package.-Significance:Shipping costs have historically been calculated on the basis of gross weight in kilograms or pounds...
, is used by postal companies and other freight industries and courier services around the world to invoice for the actual space that a parcel, package or pallet takes up in a vehicle or storage area. A vehicle can quickly become full of bulky, lightweight articles long before it reaches its capacity in weight which makes for inefficient use of space.
Calculation
The basic procedure for calculating volumetric weight is :- find the smallest cuboidCuboidIn geometry, a cuboid is a solid figure bounded by six faces, forming a convex polyhedron. There are two competing definitions of a cuboid in mathematical literature...
box that your consignment will fit in. - find the volume of this notional box in cubic centimetres.
- divide this by 6,000: the answer is the volumetric weight in kilograms.
The result of this calculation is that if a consignment's density
Density
The mass density or density of a material is defined as its mass per unit volume. The symbol most often used for density is ρ . In some cases , density is also defined as its weight per unit volume; although, this quantity is more properly called specific weight...
is one-sixth that of water or more, then its volumetric weight is less than the normal weight in kilograms, whereas if its density is less than one-sixth that of water, then its volumetric weight is more than its weight in kilograms. Transport and postal companies will charge based on the greater of these two calculations.
Dimensioners
Increasingly, carriers, postal companies and warehouses are using dimensionersDimensioners
Dimensioners are weighing and volume measuring systems for measuring three dimensional or cube shaped objects such as packages, parcels, pallets, cartons or boxes. Dimensioners are an important part of a much larger logistical system in a distribution center or warehouse...
to calculate the volumetric weight of their parcels and pallets. Companies with large shipping departments use these systems to measure all outgoing items to ensure that they don't receive back charges from their carrier who invoices using the dimensional weight
Dimensional weight
Dimensional weight, used in shipping and freight, is a billing technique which takes into account the XYZ axis dimensions of a package.-Significance:Shipping costs have historically been calculated on the basis of gross weight in kilograms or pounds...
rate system.
Note that the formula for pallet
Pallet
A pallet , sometimes called a skid, is a flat transport structure that supports goods in a stable fashion while being lifted by a forklift, pallet jack, front loader or other jacking device. A pallet is the structural foundation of a unit load which allows handling and storage efficiencies...
s is different—for pallets, the calculation is to divide by 3,000, not 6,000, so the volumetric weight is twice as much.
International express shipping companies such as DHL
DHL
DHL Express is a division of the German logistics company Deutsche Post providing international express mail services. DHL is a world market leader in sea and air mail....
apply this formula but dividing by 5,000 instead of 6,000. Other shipping companies may use a different divisor.