Calculate volume weight - MOL Logistics Netherlands

Volume weight calculations.

Not only the weight, but also the space a shipment occupies, is an important part in determining the shipping costs. You can imagine that there is less space in an aircraft than in a container vessel. That is why, when calculating the price of your shipment, we take into consideration the volume-weight and the ‘chargeable’ weight. The ‘chargeable weight’ originated as calculating factor for the difference between weight and volume. As you will know, 1000 kilo of feathers has more volume than 1000 kilo of lead. To charge this difference equally, a calculating factor was agreed within the transport.

The difference between feathers and lead

For each shipment the volume-weight is calculated and compared with the actual weight in kilos. This calculation is done according an approved formula. In air freight 1 cbm (cubic meter) equals 167 kilo. In ocean freight (LCL) 1 cbm is calculated as a maximum of 1000 kilo, while in road transport 1 cbm matches 333 kilo. The highest weight (volume or actual) will be charged.

What weight determines the costs?
In ocean freight you can choose for a full container, but also for a so called LCL shipment. Then, more shipments of several owners are loaded into 1 container. In that case you will pay for the space used in the container. Here we calculate with the Size/Weight (M/W) method: per cubic meter (‘size’) or per ton (‘weight’). Actually this is the same as the chargeable weight, but with a different designation.

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Air freight: 1 cbm = 167 kilo (volume ratio is 1:6)

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Road transport: 1 cbm = 333 kilo (volume ratio is 1:3)

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Ocean freight: 1 cbm = 1.000 kilo (volume ratio is 1:1)

The final shipping costs are calculated based on the highest of the two ‘weights’: this is the chargeable weight. When goods take op to much space (in case of large, high volume products), in most cases the volume-weight is charged.

How to calculate the volume-weight?

To calculate the volume-weight, first the volume should be determined: length x width x height (in centimeters). Then this number should be divided by following factors:

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Air freight: 6.000

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Road transport: 3.000

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Ocean freight: 1.000

Calculate yourself

How about loading meters in the road transport?

In the road transport we often calculate in loading meters. 1 loading meter equals 1 actual ‘floor’ meter in the truck. Often this calculating unit is used for goods that cannot be stacked, or stacked upon. Hereby the trucker compensates the loss space. Most times, 1 loading meter equals 1.850 kilo. When using pallets, you can also calculate to loading meters: 1 euro pallet (80x120cm) is 0,4 loading meter and 1 block pallet (100x120cm) is 0,5 loading meter.

What is meant by size/weight in ocean freight?

In ocean freight you can choose for a full container, but also for a so called LCL shipment. Then, more shipments of several owners are loaded into 1 container. In that case you will pay for the space used in the container. Here we calculate with the Size/Weight (M/W) method: per cubic meter (‘size’) or per ton (‘weight’). Actually this is the same as the chargeable weight, but with a different designation.

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