Air Freight Chargeable Weight Calculator

Method and assumptions

Air freight normally charges the greater of gross and volumetric weight. Use packed carton dimensions and the divisor stated by the forwarder.

Worked scenario

Enter packed carton dimensions, carton count, gross weight, the forwarder divisor, rate per kilogram and rounding step. Compare a dense shipment with a bulky shipment at the same gross weight. The chargeable weight is the greater of gross and volumetric weight after applying the selected rounding rule.

How to interpret the result

The quoted freight amount may still exclude fuel, security, screening, handling, minimum charges and origin or destination fees. Use this calculation to validate the weight basis, then build the complete shipment cost separately. Confirm whether the forwarder rounds per piece or after shipment aggregation.

Input reference

Currency

Example default: USD

Carton length (cm)

Example default: 60

Carton width (cm)

Example default: 40

Carton height (cm)

Example default: 35

Cartons

Example default: 20

Total gross weight (kg)

Example default: 180

Volumetric divisor

Example default: 6000

Weight rounding step (kg)

Example default: 0.5

Freight rate per kg

Example default: 4.5

Minimum freight charge

Example default: 100

Common mistakes

• Using product dimensions instead of packed carton dimensions.
• Applying a parcel divisor to an air-freight quote.
• Treating base freight rate as an all-in landed rate.

Before using the result

1. Copy divisor and rounding from the written quote.
2. Add all minimum and surcharge lines separately.
3. Compare estimate with the final chargeable weight.

Questions to check before deciding