Chargeable weight is the figure your freight is actually billed on, and it is often not what your scale says. On ocean LCL the rule is weight or measure, written W/M: the carrier charges on whichever produces the greater number. Getting this right before booking is the difference between an accurate budget and an amended invoice.
The ocean calculation
The pivot for ocean freight is one cubic metre against one metric ton, so:
- Measure each piece in centimetres, including the pallet and any overhang.
- Volume in cubic metres = length x width x height, divided by 1,000,000.
- Compare total cubic metres with total weight in metric tons.
- The higher number is the chargeable figure, subject to the minimum in the tariff.
Worked example. Four pallets, each 120 x 100 x 150 cm, each weighing 320 kg.
- Volume per pallet: 120 x 100 x 150 = 1,800,000 cm3, divided by 1,000,000 = 1.8 cbm
- Total volume: 7.2 cbm
- Total weight: 1,280 kg, which is 1.28 metric tons
- Chargeable: 7.2, because volume exceeds weight
This shipment pays on 7.2 units. To be charged on weight instead, the same four pallets would need to weigh more than 7.2 tons, which for palletised consumer goods almost never happens. That is why most LCL freight is volume driven.
Why the pallet counts
Measurement is taken over the outside of the shipment as presented, including the pallet base and anything protruding. A 15 cm pallet under a 135 cm stack adds cubic metres to the bill. Overhang is measured too, and it also risks handling damage. Repalletising to a tighter footprint is the cheapest freight saving available.
The dimensional weight comparison in air freight
Air freight uses a volumetric divisor rather than the cubic metre against ton pivot. The standard conversion divides the volume in cubic centimetres by 6,000 to obtain a kilogram equivalent, then charges on the greater of that and the actual weight. Because that divisor is far more aggressive than the ocean pivot, light bulky cargo is punished much harder by air.
| Mode | Pivot | Effect on light cargo |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean LCL | 1 cbm against 1 metric ton | Volume usually governs |
| Air | Volume in cm3 divided by 6,000 | Volumetric weight usually governs, and sharply |
Where the figure is verified
The consolidator remeasures and reweighs at the container freight station. Those figures, not yours, go on the invoice and on the manifest. Declaring optimistic dimensions does not save money, it produces a corrected invoice after the cargo has sailed and, if weights are involved, a mismatch with the verified gross mass declaration required for FCL loading.
Practical steps that lower the chargeable figure
- Reduce carton dimensions before reducing carton count. Volume compounds in three dimensions.
- Stack to a standard pallet height rather than leaving a partially loaded top layer.
- Remove display packaging designed for shelves, not ships.
- Consolidate two small shipments into one to clear the minimum charge once instead of twice.
- Ask whether the tariff uses a different pivot, because some trades vary.
More cost levers are in what drives LCL shipping costs, and if your volume is growing, compare against a full container using LCL vs FCL for US exports.
FAQ
What is chargeable weight in ocean freight?
The greater of the shipment's volume in cubic metres and its weight in metric tons, used as the billing unit for LCL.
How do I calculate cubic metres?
Multiply length by width by height in centimetres and divide by 1,000,000. Include the pallet.
Is the minimum charge one cubic metre?
Most LCL tariffs apply a minimum of one cubic metre or one metric ton, whichever is greater.
Does FCL use chargeable weight?
No. Full containers are priced per container, subject to payload and road weight limits.
Why did my invoice differ from my calculation?
The consolidator measures the cargo as presented, including pallets and overhang, and bills on those figures.
Want your dimensions checked before you book? Send the packing list and we will confirm the chargeable figure.