Pricing & Surcharges
Chargeable Weight
The weight used to calculate air freight charges — the greater of actual gross weight or volumetric weight (volume ÷ dimensional factor, commonly 6000 for air).
In depth
Airlines charge on gross weight or volumetric weight, whichever is higher, to account for light but bulky cargo. The divisor is typically 6,000 cm³ per kg (IATA) for international air: some express couriers use 5,000.
Key points
- Formula: (L cm × W cm × H cm) / 6,000 = volumetric kg
- Stackable vs non-stackable cargo may affect how airlines accept dims
- Express and courier may use different divisors: check rate sheet
- Dense cargo bills on actual weight; light cargo on volume