Freight Glossary
Chargeable Weight – Meaning & Examples
The weight used for billing - either actual weight or volumetric weight, whichever is greater.
- Related terms
- billable weight, freight weight, paying weight
Chargeable weight is the weight used to calculate air freight charges. Airlines charge based on whichever is greater: actual (gross) weight or volumetric (dimensional) weight. This ensures carriers are compensated for both heavy and bulky shipments. Volumetric weight for air freight is typically calculated as: Length × Width × Height (cm) ÷ 6000. This factor (6000) may vary by carrier.
Chargeable Weight examples
- A shipment weighing 100 kg with volumetric weight of 150 kg is charged at 150 kg.
How Chargeable Weight is used in freight operations
Chargeable Weight appears in quotations, bookings, shipping documents, and tracking updates. Confirm how it applies to your shipment with your carrier, forwarder, or customs representative, because practice can differ by country and contract.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Chargeable Weight?
The weight used for billing - either actual weight or volumetric weight, whichever is greater.
What is an example of Chargeable Weight?
A shipment weighing 100 kg with volumetric weight of 150 kg is charged at 150 kg.