What Is Chargeable Weight? How To Calculate The Weight Of Sea And Air Cargo

1. What is Chargeable Weight?

Chargeable weight is an important concept in the fields of transportation and logistics. You will rely on chargeable weight to pay shipping fees, and it may not be the same as the actual weight of the item. Chargeable weight is often applied when transporting goods by air.

2. How to calculate Chargeable Weight for Air and Sea goods accurately

After grasping the concept of what chargeable weight is, we will move on to understanding how to calculate shipping charges for goods, especially in two main types: air goods (via air) and sea goods. (via sea).

2.1. How to calculate Chargeable Weight for Air goods

To calculate the chargeable weight for air goods, we first need to clearly understand the following concepts. Firstly what is gross weight?. Gross Weight (GW) is the actual weight of the goods; volume weight (VW) is the weight calculated according to the volume of the goods. From there, we perform the following steps:

• Step 1: Calculate the actual volume (GW).

To compare volumetric weights, you need to know the total weight of the shipment. Add up the total weight of all items in the batch, using kilograms (kg).

• Step 2: Calculate mass by volume (VW).

Measure the length, width, and height of each item. For rows with shapes other than rectangular boxes, we convert the size to get the size of the surrounding rectangular box. Use the size unit of a centimeter (cm).

VW calculation formula: VW = (Length x Width x Height)/6000

For exampl:, if a package has dimensions of 60cm x 20cm x 10cm, then the volume VW = (60 x 20 x 10) / 6000 = 2kg.

• Step 3: Calculate the Chargeable Weight

After calculating the two masses, GW (gross weight) and VW (volume weight), with the same unit, such as kg or lb, we compare and choose the highest value, which is chargeable weight.

2.2. How to calculate Chargeable Weight for Sea goods

To calculate the chargeable weight of sea goods, we perform the following specific steps:

• Step 1: Calculate the total weight of the goods.

For example, there are 10 packages, each weighing 800kg. So the total weight of the shipment is 10 bales x 800 kg/bale = 8000kg.

• Step 2: Calculate the volume of the shipment.

For example, the size of each package is 120cm x 100cm x 150cm. Converting dimensions to cubic meters is: 1.2m x 1m x 1.5m. The volume of each package is 1.8 cubic meters. The total volume of the shipment is 10 bales x 1.8 cbm/bale = 18 cbm.

• Step 3: Calculate the volumetric weight of the shipment.

For example, volumetric weight is calculated by multiplying the volume of the goods by the volumetric weight constant, in this case, 1000 kg/cbm. So the volumetric weight of the shipment is 18 cbm x 1000 kg/cbm = 18000 kg.

• Step 4: Calculate the chargeable weight of the shipment.

We compare the actual total weight and the volumetric weight of the goods and then choose the larger value.

For example, the total weight of the shipment is 8000 kg. The volumetric weight of the shipment is 18000 kg. So the chargeable weight of the shipment is 18000 kg.

3. Distinguish between Gross Weight and Chargeable Weight

Besides the question of what is chargeable weight, there are also many questions surrounding the distinction between GW and CW. So today, Dolphin Sea Air will answer all your questions.

• Chargeable Weight: This is the weight used to determine shipping costs, calculated by comparing volume weight and gross weight. Usually measured in kg.

• Gross Weight: The actual weight of all goods, including product weight and packaging weight. The commonly used unit is kg.

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4. Instructions on how to resolve the situation of goods with wrong weight GW

In cases where the goods have been weighed and packed at the warehouse, but when brought to the airport to be re-weighed, there are discrepancies due to factors such as incorrect packaging or the actual packing of the goods being different from expected. If the enterprise has transmitted the declaration and encounters a situation where the goods are weighed incorrectly, the handling process can be carried out as follows:

• Additional declaration (if necessary): Depending on the provisions of Circular 39/2018/TT-BTC, businesses may need to study Article 20 of Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC to see whether the declaration Is supplementation appropriate?
• Update information: If there is a difference in weight, the warehouse business needs to update the actual weight information in the system and notify the customs authority.
• Handling when the customs authority checks: In the event that the customs authority checks and detects a weight difference, the enterprise is responsible for providing accurate and reasonable information.

5. Things to keep in mind when calculating fees

When calculating and converting weight in the shipping industry, there are some important notes we need to consider, as follows:

For sea goods:

• 1 ton < 3 CBM:
  • Type of goods: heavy goods
  • Charge calculation method: Use the KGS price list (based on KG weight).
• 1 ton >= 3 CBM:
  • Cargo type: light cargo
  • Charge calculation method: Apply the CBM price list (according to cubic meter volume).

Note: In sea transport, the convention is that 1 m3 is equivalent to 1000kg.

For air cargo: In air transport, the convention is that 1 m3 is equivalent to 166.67kg.

We hope that the above information has helped you get the answer to the question, "What is Chargeable Weight?" If you have questions or need support, please contact us. Dolphin Sea Air is happy to help and advise to ensure your transportation process goes as smoothly as possible.

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