Glossary
CBM and volumetric weight, plainly explained
CBM (cubic meter) = volume in m³ of your shipment. Volumetric weight (kg) = (L × W × H in cm) ÷ 5,000. Carriers bill the higher of gross vs volumetric.
Why a 'volume weight' exists
Imagine shipping 1 ton of feathers vs 1 ton of bricks. Same gross weight, very different truck volume. Carriers don't want to lose money on bulky-but-light cargo, so they invented volumetric weight to charge for space, not just mass.
Formula
- Volumetric weight (kg) = (length × width × height in cm) ÷ 5,000
- Some express airlines use 6,000 instead of 5,000.
Example
A box 60 × 40 × 30 cm:
- Volume: 72,000 cm³ = 0.072 m³ (CBM)
- Volumetric weight: 72,000 ÷ 5,000 = 14.4 kg
- If actual gross weight is 8 kg, carrier bills based on 14.4 kg.
When this matters for meals
For grocery shopping it doesn't — you carry it home. But food importers (specialty stores, restaurants buying direct) hit volumetric weight constantly: dried herbs, packaged sauces in oversized retail boxes.
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