Knowing the difference between volumetric and actual weight is crucial in any logistic shipping business. Both factors are significant in shipping, but they are calculated and applied differently. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between the concepts and shipping rates and why you should understand them for your business.
We know you must have been surfing the internet for a top Volumetric weight calculator or an actual weight metric – and so on, but before you do that, don’t you have to know the primary differences between these two before you could get confused? Let’s figure it all out in this post.
Difference Between Volumetric Weight and Actual Weight
- What Is Actual Weight?
Actual weight is the literal, regular weight of an object. It is the weight that generally is weighed on a scale, often referred to as “gross weight.” It includes the weight of the product, packaging, or any other accessory included with the shipment. Generally, what most people refer to when they refer to the weight of a package is usually the actual weight.
For instance, consider a package carrying a book that weighs 2 kilograms. Here, the volumetric weight of the package would be 2 kilograms.
- What is Volumetric Weight?
A volumetric weight, commonly termed a dimensional weight, refers to the pricing technique shipping companies use: the space occupied by a package rather than its weight. This technique is particularly applicable to large light shipments. Volumetric weight is measured by the dimensions of a package, including length and height, and converted into weight using a specified formula.
The formula for volumetric weight is usually expressed as:
Volumetric Weight (kg) = (Length x Width x Height) / Divisor
The divisor is an assumed number applied to standardize volume-to-weight conversions with shipping firms’ use. Typically, divisors applied by logistics firms are 5000 or 6000, which the firm will use, and the region is determined by the firm’s end.
For example, if you are shipping a consignment measuring 60 cm x 40 cm x 30 cm and the divisor is 5000, the volumetric weight would be as follows:
Volumetric Weight = (60 x 40 x 30) / 5000 = 144,000 / 5000 = 28.8 kg
So, even if the parcel’s actual weight is 10 kilograms, the shipping company would quote you based on the volumetric weight of 28.8 kilograms.
- Why Does Volumetric Weight Matter?
Shipping companies use volumetric weight to help them intelligently manage cargo space and get the most out of the shipping cost. In this case, a package may be huge and occupy much space in the cargo hold, but if it doesn’t weigh much, that alone may not be charged fairly. The volumetric weight ensures that they charge the customer for the space this package occupies rather than its weight.
For example, consider sending a tiny but relatively light item in a large box. The actual weight is minimal, and the box takes up more space, so they can’t send another package in the same space. Volumetric weight ensures that the shipping companies are paid for the space their cargo occupies and maintains profitability and fair balance.
- How Shipping Companies Use These Weights
Shippers typically consider the higher of two weights to compute the ultimate charge on your shipment- the actual or volumetric weight. This is referred to as “billable weight.”
- How to Do Volumetric Weight Calculation
The formula for calculating the volumetric weight differs for the courier or carrier. This is a simplified step-by-step approach:
Measure the package’s dimensions in centimeters for length, width, and height or in inches, respectively.
Multiply by the dimensions to give the volume of the package in cubic centimeters or cubic inches, respectively.
Divide the volume obtained above by the divisor, which usually stands at 5000 or 6000, to transform the volume into weight equivalent in kilograms or pounds, respectively.
Conclusion
Knowing the difference between actual and volumetric weight while costing shipping is crucial in transportation. Actual weight is the physical weight of the parcel, while volumetric weight is the space occupied while in transit. Shipping lines charge based on the higher of the two, so the shipping line is always paid for the space occupied by the package. With an understanding of both weight measurements, businesses could better manage their logistics costs and optimize shipping. So, just picture yourself booking for an intercity courier from HSR Layout, wouldn’t it be great if you could decode the pricing yourself?
