What is volumetric weight?
Light but large boxes take up a lot of space on planes, so international couriers and forwarders charge by whichever is greater: actual or volumetric weight.
Volumetric weight (kg) = length × width × height (cm) ÷ 6000 (DHL, FedEx, UPS and others sometimes use 5000)
In inches and pounds: length × width × height (in) ÷ 166 (or 139) = volumetric weight (lbs).
Tips to cut shipping costs
- A forwarder's box replacement or repacking service can shrink the box and cut volumetric weight a lot.
- Remove unnecessary packaging, such as shoe boxes.
- Weight is usually rounded up to 0.5kg or 1lb units for billing.