If you want to know how to calculate chargeable weight for air freight, then you have come to the right place. Our experts have compiled the ultimate guide that will allow you to control your margins like never.
You will learn how air freight cost is calculated and understand a key aspect of your business. You can use it if you’re making a one-off shipment or you ship thousands of items daily. Let’s dive right in and look at the key details you need to know.
What is meant by ”chargeable” air freight costs?
Air freight is a high-demand, high-cost way of moving goods quickly. While sea freight has a large amount of space, planes clearly do not. This is an inherent limitation of this mode of shipping and not something any of us can do about.
Air freight billing companies will take this into account when setting their costs. They are using the established principle of supply and demand. You may think the more demand there is for cargo space, the more the price will increase to regulate the supply. Yes, but more than that.
Let’s take a common example.
You are shipping weight plates for commercial gyms. They are compact items that take up relatively little space but they are very heavy. If someone has a box that is exactly the same size but it is full of pillows, you will need less fuel to get it off the ground. As a result, you are going to get charged more because it uses more fuel.
There’s also a third shipper using the plane who is sending surfboards to a new outlet. Surfboards are relatively light but take up a large amount of space. They do not have the high density of the weight discs, so they’re cheaper?
No, because the air freight company still needs to cover its operating costs and make a profit. The weight is low, but the volume taken up in the cargo hold is high. Carriers will charge surfboard suppliers more than pillow suppliers, as there is now a lot less room for other shipments.
The chargeable air freight cost is always the larger value: volume vs. weight. Still confused? We can go a little further and show you why this actually makes sense.
What are the different ways air freight is calculated?
Different from LCL sea freight, air freight is charged based on weight. There are two types of weight that need to be considered: you are charged whichever is greater.
- Actual Weight: Also known as the Gross Weight, this is the value you would read on a set of weighing scales. A 10 kg weight disc would weigh 10 kg, a pillow would weigh much less at around 0.3 kg, and so on.
- Volumetric Weight: Also known as the Dimensional Weight, it is really a measure of the density. Remember, in the surfboard example, that the actual weight was low, but the space occupied was large.
The key to figuring out flexible air freight costs is to think about the density of your shipments. The air freight cost will be higher for compact heavy items and very large yet light items. One uses up the most fuel, the other uses up the most space. In both cases, the air freight company has basic operating costs they need to cover.
It may be tempting to approach budgeting for air freight costs by finding the cheapest item to air freight. Here are three things you will need to consider:
- Avoid importing products based purely on their air freight weight limit costs — focus on the business as a whole.
- Ask whether it would make more sense to ship by sea — costs will be lower, size will be less of a factor, but timeframes are longer.
- Talk to an expert who will figure out the chargeable air freight for you — a second opinion can save you lots of confusion.
How can I calculate my air freight weight?
Learning how to calculate chargeable weight for air freight is a good way of keeping on top of the costs.
A simple chargeable air freight calculation will require you to measure the volume of your package. Multiply the length, width, and height together. Here are the key things you need to remember:
- Length x Width x Height (L x W x H) is a simple calculation that you can do on your phone’s built-in calculator.
- Make sure all three dimensions are in the same units: all in inches, all in feet, all in centimeters, all in meters, etc.
- You will also need to weigh your package to calculate your own air freight: use the same unit for all packages.
- When dimensions are in centimeters, the formula for calculating volumetric weight in international air freight is as follows:
Length x Width x Height (cm) / 6000
When dimensions are in meters, you can use this formula:
Volume (cbm) x 167
- Take care to round all dimensions to the nearest whole number to minimize discrepancies.
- Compare the volumetric weight and the actual weight and choose the larger one as the chargeable weight.
One issue when considering your chargeable air freight budget is that many carriers use different units. Some will use inches and pounds, others opt for centimeters and kilograms. You will find other combinations when working with carriers from around the world.
If you want to know how air freight is calculated, make sure you are using the right units. The full cost of air freight will then become so much easier to understand.
How to calculate chargeable weight in different dimensions?
Knowing how to calculate chargeable weight for air freight is largely about concentrating on the dimensions. The problem with an overly hasty air freight calculation is that it may cause you to overlook something simple. Here are some common issues that we hear from new air freight shippers:
- Unwittingly comparing numbers with different units will make the air freight cost seem very low. You will get caught out when the official invoice arrives and your budgeting is completely awry.
- Likewise, you may find that the use of inconsistent units makes you think the air freight weight limit costs are prohibitive.
- Confusion around calculation factors used by different carriers makes budgeting for air freight costs very difficult and time-consuming.
Unfortunately, the carrier will always charge you the greater of the actual weight and the volumetric weight. This is just how the industry works and there is nothing you can do about it.
If you find that your quoted costs are too high, Foresmart is always happy to help. Our experts will help check calculations, put you in contact with budget shippers, and make sure nothing gets missed.
You can use this as a safe way to double-check your budgeting when you want to build your business on the right foundations. It will also make sure you have a budget left over for other key parts of your expansion when you want to operate in a lean and agile manner for many years to come.
Can I dispute the different types of air freight weight?
You cannot lobby to pay the lower cost. Anyone who knows how to calculate chargeable weight for air freight will corroborate this. The industry works according to chargeable air freight. This may seem unfair, but is the same situation for everyone so you are not at a disadvantage.
If in doubt, working through a clear chargeable weight calculation using the steps above is the best approach. This will allow you to estimate your air freight budget accurately. Knowing how to calculate air freight will give you a greater insight into one of your key overheads.
Why are there chargeable weights?
It’s important to revisit the answer to this question at this point. When you learn how to calculate chargeable weight for air freight, it can be tempting to think that this is just a cash grab. This is not the case: air freight carriers have businesses to run.
A plane costs a set amount of money to get off the ground. If it is full of surfboards (large yet light products), the cargo may not even cover the basic operating overheads. The air carrier would cease to function and everyone would miss out.
If a second plane took off with weight discs, it would require so much fuel that it could become uneconomical to run. Charging a flat rate just doesn’t work in the aerospace industry because of the tight space and time constraints.
When learning how to calculate your own air freight cost, you may get annoyed/confused by the difference in costs. If you remember that everyone in the world pays whichever weight is higher, you will have nothing to worry about. We are all on a level playing field.
If you calculate your own air freight, it is natural to want a second opinion. Our experts will be more than happy to talk you through how to figure out the true chargeable air freight. They can also help you find a carrier who is more budget-friendly if need be.
Who will calculate the chargeable air freight weight quickly?
Getting in touch with someone who knows how to calculate chargeable weight for air freight is the best approach to take. We are always here when you need a fast, accurate, and reliable answer.
Please connect now and allow our experienced team of forwarding agents to guide you through everything you need to know.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I do a fast air freight weight calculation?
The best way to price up flexible air freight coverage is to connect with a trusted freight forwarder in the exporting country. We can send you fully priced up offers according to your needs without delay. That means all you have to do is pick a price and timeframe that works for your business.
How should I budget for air freight costs?
The first thing you need to do is carry out a chargeable weight calculation. We can do this for you. Once you get a clear overview of the costs, you will determine a suitable and realistic budget.
What should my chargeable air freight budget be?
This depends on the air freight cost, which is set largely by what you want to send and how quickly it needs to get there. Asking our team for a helping hand is always the best way to get things started.
