CBM, or cargo volume, is a measurement commonly used in the calculation of international express, air or sea freight.

Marine CBM

Marine LCL (LCL) is generally charged according to volume, and heavy cargo is converted to volume and then charged. For sea freight pricing, one ton or 1000KG is equivalent to 1 cubic meter.

Air freight CBM

The standard formula used for air transport is length (cm) x width (cm) x height (cm)÷6000= volume weight (KG)/1CBM≈166.6666KG. Any calculation of air freight will use this conversion, so it is worth noting this rule of thumb: 167 kg =1 m3

If the volume of a batch of goods is greater than the actual weight, it is called light cargo. If the volume of a shipment is less than the actual weight, it is called heavy cargo.

The volume weight of the goods VS the actual weight, which weight is charged according to which, such as plastic products, cotton, sponges and other large volume and small weight goods, the volume weight is charged.

Volumetric weight charge

Volume involves the full use of shipping space, billing, security and many other aspects. Whether it is an airplane, ship or truck, its loading space is limited, relatively speaking, the volume and weight are limited requirements. If the FCL container is shipped by sea, it is necessary to determine what type of container to order according to the number of CBM.

LCL Freight:

The calculation method may be different according to different shipping companies, different freight forwarders, different ports or different warehouses. There are several common ones:

1CBM=1000KG: If the actual volume is 0.8CBM and the actual gross weight is 1200 kg, the freight rate is 1200/1000*.

1CBM=750KG: If the actual volume is 0.8CBM◇ The actual gross weight is 1200 kg ◇ The freight =1200/750* rate.

1CBM=500KG: If the actual volume is 0.8CBM and the actual gross weight is 1200 kg, the freight rate is 1200/500*.

1CBM=363KG: If the actual volume is 0.8CBM, the actual gross weight is 1200 kg, then the freight =1200/363* rate.