Calculating Cubic Weight of consignments

Though the focus of most carriers is on the weight of your consignment, there are times when you may have a large lightweight item to transport.  Many businesses and individuals become confused about how their lightweight consignment can be noted on paperwork as a relatively heavy weighing item.

The reason carriers convert bulky items to a weight is based on capacity and efficiency.  For example, one tonne of tiles will fit comfortably on one pallet and will take up a very small space.  However, one tonne of pillows will take up most of a trailer.  The carrier cannot afford to transport those pillows for the equivalent charge of one tonne so they convert it to cubic weight.

If you ask your carrier what the conversion is, they will probably tell you

• 1 tonne = 0.333 cubic metres

Let's assume you have a bulky item with the following attributes-

• Weight - 85kg
• Dimensions - 3.5m L*1.8m W*1.5m H

Multiply the dimensions and your item is calculated to be 9.45 cubic metres. Now multiply this by the conversion rate supplied by the carrier (in this example 0.333)

• 9.45*0.333 = 3.146

Therefore the cubic weight of your item is 3.146 tonne or 3146kg.  This is what the carrier will charge to move your consignment.  Note that you will always be charged the greater between the two.