What is chargeable weight ?
It is measure unit expressed in kgs, which serves for air freight charges quotation. Volume of the shipment / ratio 1:6 / is always considered. In other words, total volume in cm3 is divided by 6000. If the result is higher then actual weight of the shipment, then we take that result for quotation, not the actual weight. If the result is lower, then we take actual weight to quote air freight charges.
When sending excess baggage around the world, airlines determine “chargeable weight” by the either the “gross weight” (how heavy it is) or the “volume weight” (how much space it takes up). As you can appreciate, space on board an aircraft is at a premium, this ensures you only pay for what you use.
Imagine an aircraft or ship carrying 10kg of inflated balloons. The carriers would normally charge by the kilogram, but these balloons take up a large space which now cannot be used for other cargo, meaning they will lose revenue. The size of the consignment is therefore turned into what’s called its Volumetric Weight: for airfreight this is calculated by multiplying the Length x Width x Height in centimetres and dividing the total by 6,000 (therefore 6,000cm3 = 1kg). If the result is less than the physical weight, then the physical weight is also the Chargeable Weight. If, however, the Volumetric Weight is greater than the physical weight then the Volumetric Weight becomes the Chargeable Weight. Keep in mind that 1m3 (100cm x 100cm x 100cm) = 166.7kg Volumetric Weight. For seafreight, the total after multiplying the dimensions is divided by 1,000,000, meaning that 1m3 = 1,000kg (1 tonne). Shipping companies often refer to “W/V” meaning Weight or Volume, which is greater.
The chargeable weight of a cargo intended for air shipment is the actual gross weight (gw) or the volume weight (vw), whichever is greater. Of course, the gw is the figure that is indicated outright on a cargo weighing scale as a carton or a box of cargo is weighed thereon. But what about the vw? How is this computed? The vw is calculated based on a cargo’s size, measurement or dimensions, and with the use of the following formula: Using the English System: L x W x H in inches (in.) / 165 = vw (in lbs.) Using the Metric System: L x W x H in centimeters (cm.) / 6,000 = vw (in kgs.) Remember that 165 and 6,000 are the constant factors when calculating the vw in lbs. and kgs., respectively. Let us now determine the chargeable weight of the cargo in the following example: Company ABC in Manila, Philippines is planning an export shipment by airfreight to Company XYZ in Los Angeles, CA. The shipment consists of thirty-six (36) pieces of paper mache articles in three (3) boxes containing twel
