| Gross Weight | | | | Containerload (FCL) basis. However, |
| A basic tenet of shipping is that freight is rated on its | | | | Less-than-Containerload (LCL) and the occasional FCL |
| gross weight. Gross weight is simply the weight of | | | | shipment are rated on a metric "Weight/Measure" in |
| the product and its packaging. For example, the glass | | | | most trades. This formula is based on 1 cubic meter |
| vase, packing peanuts, carton, sealing tape and label | | | | (35.3147 cubic feet) versus 1,000 kilograms (2,204.6 |
| combine to make the gross weight. | | | | pounds), whichever yields the greater revenue to the |
| | | | carrier. Let me save you some time. Unless your |
| Net Weight | | | | shipment is extremely dense, it's going to go on |
| The weight of the product itself without packaging. | | | | Measure. I've shipped tractor parts that went on |
| (The vase by itself.) Net weight is rarely a factor in | | | | Measure. Weight basis shipments are rare. |
| shipping unless a carton is overpacked and splits | | | | Trucking Density Rates |
| open. (Check the seal on the bottom of a standard | | | | Motor carriers also sell space on their trailer, even |
| shipping carton for the maximum weight the carton | | | | though the rates are on a weight basis. Domestic |
| will hold safely.) | | | | LTL (less-than-truckload) rates are usually charged |
| Tare Weight | | | | per one hundred pounds ("cwt"). However, think of |
| Tare weight is the weight of an empty vehicle or | | | | those ping pong balls again. Many trucking rates |
| container. Normally not something that a shipper is | | | | factor in density. Plastic items and commodities of a |
| concerned with but it's a term everyone should | | | | similar nature have tiered rates that are based upon |
| know. | | | | the density of the product. The tariff may read |
| Volumetric Weight - Air freight | | | | something along the lines of: |
| International airfreight shipments are usually rated per | | | | Plastic Items NOIBN (not otherwise indexed by |
| pound or per kilogram. However, what the airlines are | | | | number) Density under 10 pounds per cubic foot |
| really selling is space aboard the aircraft. Therefore, | | | | Rate $10.00/ cwt. |
| they have a volumetric equivalent for shippers of | | | | Plastic Items NOIBN Density 10 to 20 pounds per |
| lightweight articles. Consider how much space 100 kgs | | | | cubic foot, Rate $8.50/ cwt |
| of ping pong balls would consume vs. 100 kgs of | | | | The difference between motor carrier density rates |
| anvils. International air shipments are figured on both | | | | versus air or sea volumetric rates is that the motor |
| the actual gross weight and volumetric weight and | | | | carrier density rates apply only to select commodities. |
| rated at the higher of the two. To determine | | | | They're universal in air and sea shipments. |
| volumetric weight for air: | | | | GROSS MEASUREMENT |
| Multiply length x width x height in inches and divide by | | | | For air and sea freight, the LxWxH measurements |
| 366. The result is the volumetric in kilograms. | | | | are stretched to the farthest point. For example, an |
| Example: 20" x 20" x40" = 16,000 cu. inches | | | | automobile length would stretch bumper tip to |
| Divided by 366 = 43.7 (round up to 44 kilograms) | | | | bumper tip. Therefore it's advisable, whenever |
| If the gross weight of the shipment is 35 kilograms, | | | | possible, to "square off" the package. Say you're |
| it would be rated on the volumetric 44 kilograms. If | | | | shipping a stove with a chimney attachment. Remove |
| the actual gross weight is 50 kilograms, it would be | | | | the chimney before shipping and lay it flat alongside |
| rated at 50 kgs. | | | | or inside the stove. If you are shipping an automobile, |
| Weight/Measure ' Sea Freight | | | | remove the radio antenna. |
| Many sea freight shipments are rated on a Full | | | | |