What is dimensional weight?
Dimensional weight is the amount of space a package occupies in comparison to its actual weight. For all shipments, you are charged by measuring both actual and dimensional weight and applying whichever is greater.
Why is dimensional weight important?
Three main reasons:
Imagine for a moment how many people organise shipments with packaging that’s too big. To stabilize the contents of these oversized boxes, extra cushioning material must be used. These overpacked shipments fill the trucks with cubic meters of unneeded corrugated cardboard, air pillows, Styrofoam. In some cases people are literally paying to ship air.
Dimensional weight pricing can reward customers who eliminate extra, oversized packaging. By increasing the shipment density, we can often pack more products on our trucks and planes, minimising cost for customers while maximising emissions efficiency.
To calculate dimensional weight:
Example:
30cm X 30cm X 25cm / 4000
=
5.6kg dimensional weight
Need a hand with the math? Check out this dimensional weight calculator designed to help you calculate the dimensional weight of your shipments. Determining dimensional weight may seem complicated but using it correctly and optimizing your packaging can save your business money while protecting the planet in the process.
Additional information
For additional information on the best way to optimize your packaging, check out our Top Tips for Packaging Freight page.