Air Freight Chargeable Weight Calculator
Determine exact billable weight for commercial air cargo and express courier shipments. Instantly compute dimensional volumetric weight against actual gross weight under standard IATA (1:6000) and Courier (1:5000) rules.
- • Chargeable Weight Formula: MAX( Gross Weight, Volumetric Weight )
- • Standard IATA Air Cargo Ratio: 1 CBM = 166.67 kg (Divisor 6000 cm³/kg)
- • Express Courier Ratio: 1 CBM = 200.00 kg (Divisor 5000 cm³/kg)
- • Imperial Air Cargo Rule: Volumetric Weight (lbs) = (L × W × H in inches) ÷ 139
1. Cargo Package Dimensions & Mode
IATA Air Cargo Volumetric Standard & Engineering Rules
Aircraft cargo holds are limited by both total maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) and volumetric capacity. To balance revenue between heavy cargo (e.g., machinery) and bulky lightweight cargo (e.g., textiles or foam), IATA established standard volumetric billing rules.
ULD (Unit Load Device) & Contour Rounding Rules
When shipping via air freight, all package dimensions are measured based on the extreme outer boundaries, including pallet protruding edges or handles. Airlines round up fraction dimensions to the nearest whole centimeter or inch prior to performing volumetric calculations according to IATA Resolution 502 rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the ratio equivalent for 1:6000 air cargo?
A ratio of 1:6000 means that 1 cubic meter (CBM) of volume is converted into 166.67 kilograms of volumetric weight (1000 kg / 6 = 166.67 kg).
Q: Can I reduce chargeable weight by re-packaging?
Yes. For light volumetric cargo, shrinking outer carton dimensions by even 2-3 cm can significantly lower the cubic total, dropping the dimensional weight below actual gross weight.