Freight Cost Calculator
Estimate air and ocean freight cargo costs using chargeable volumetric weight, carrier rates, and accessory fees. Free, instant, client-side.
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Chargeable Weight and Volumetric Freight Pricing
Logistics carriers price cargo transportation using 'Chargeable Weight'. Chargeable weight is the greater of two values: the actual gross weight of the package, or its volumetric (dimensional) weight.
Volumetric Weight Conversions
Logistics standards define volumetric weight factors based on transportation mode:
$$\text{Volumetric Weight (Air)} = \text{Total CBM} \times 167\text{ kg}$$ $$\text{Volumetric Weight (Ocean LCL)} = \text{Total CBM} \times 1,000\text{ kg}$$Freight Calculations
$$\text{Chargeable Weight} = \max(\text{Actual Weight}, \text{Volumetric Weight})$$ $$\text{Estimated Freight Cost} = (\text{Chargeable Weight} \times \text{Freight Rate}) + \text{Surcharges}$$Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is chargeable weight?
Chargeable weight is the value used to calculate shipping fees. It is determined by comparing actual cargo weight and volumetric space weight, selecting whichever is greater.
Why do carriers use volumetric weight?
Cargo planes and trucks have physical space limits. Light, bulky cargo (like pillows) would fill the hold before hitting weight limits. Volumetric formulas ensure shippers pay for space occupied.
How does ocean freight invoicing differ from air?
Ocean freight LCL uses a volumetric factor of 1 CBM = 1000 kg (1 ton). In air cargo, the factor is much higher (1 CBM = 167 kg), making volume-heavy goods much more expensive to ship by air.
What are common accessories / surcharges?
Surcharges in freight invoices include fuel adjustments, port handling charges, export document preparation fees, customs clearance surcharges, and destination delivery fees.