Email
13OO 71O 683
Tariff Lookup
HS Code Lookup
Newsletter Signup
Air freight is not charged on what your shipment weighs — it is charged on whichever is greater, the actual weight or the volumetric weight. Enter your packed dimensions and gross weight below to see the chargeable weight airlines and freight forwarders will use to rate your consignment.
Air freight chargeable weight calculator
Get an air freight rate against that weight
Send us your chargeable weight, origin airport or supplier address, destination in Australia and required delivery date. We will quote airport-to-airport and door-to-door so you can compare properly.
Request an air freight quote Call 1300 710 683How chargeable weight works
Aircraft run out of space long before they run out of lifting capacity, so airlines charge for the room your cargo takes up as well as its weight. The industry does this by converting volume into a notional weight — the volumetric weight — and then charging on whichever figure is higher.
| Step | Formula |
|---|---|
| Volumetric weight (cm) | (Length × Width × Height) ÷ 6000 |
| Volumetric weight (m³) | Volume in m³ × 167 |
| Chargeable weight | The greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight |
The divisor of 6000 is the standard IATA air freight convention and equates to 167 kg per cubic metre. Courier and express operators commonly use 5000, which equates to 200 kg per cubic metre, and some express products use 4000. The divisor is part of the rate — always confirm it before comparing two quotes.
Worked example
One pallet measuring 120 × 80 × 90 cm, gross weight 95 kg.
- Volume: 120 × 80 × 90 = 864,000 cm³ = 0.864 m³
- Volumetric weight at 6000: 864,000 ÷ 6000 = 144 kg
- Actual weight: 95 kg
- Chargeable weight: 144 kg — the volumetric figure wins
At a rate of AUD 4.50/kg, that pallet is charged as 144 kg, not 95 kg. Understanding this before you pack is often worth more than negotiating the rate.
The break-even point: 167 kg per cubic metre
Under the standard 6000 divisor, cargo denser than roughly 167 kg per cubic metre is charged on actual weight, and cargo lighter than that is charged on volume. Knowing which side of that line you sit on tells you where to focus.
| Cargo type | Typical density | Charged on | What to do about it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machinery parts, fasteners, tooling | Over 400 kg/m³ | Actual weight | Focus on rate and route, not packaging |
| Electronics, packaged consumer goods | 150–250 kg/m³ | Close to break-even | Small packing improvements can move you under the line |
| Apparel, foam, plastics, empty containers | Under 120 kg/m³ | Volume | Reduce cube: compress, nest, right-size cartons, lower pallet height |
Five ways to reduce chargeable weight
- Right-size the carton. Air inside a box is charged at the same rate as product. Oversized cartons with void fill are the single most common source of avoidable air freight cost.
- Lower the pallet. Height is a multiplier. Removing 15 cm from a 120 × 80 cm pallet removes 0.144 m³, or 24 kg of chargeable weight at the 6000 divisor.
- Avoid overhang. Cargo hanging over the pallet edge is measured at its widest point, so a few centimetres of overhang can be charged across the entire consignment.
- Nest and disassemble. Items that stack or knock down for transport routinely cut cube by a third or more.
- Ask about the divisor. A shipment quoted at 5000 rather than 6000 is 20% heavier on paper for exactly the same cargo.
Air freight or sea freight?
Chargeable weight is what makes the comparison meaningful. Air freight is priced per kilogram of chargeable weight; LCL sea freight is priced per revenue tonne, where one cubic metre is treated as 1,000 kg. That means light, bulky cargo is penalised far more heavily by air than by sea.
Use this calculator alongside our CBM calculator to see both figures for the same consignment, then ask us to quote both modes. For time-critical, high-value or low-volume cargo, air often wins on total cost once you account for inventory, demurrage and lost sales.
Frequently asked questions
Which divisor will apply to my shipment?
General air cargo through a freight forwarder normally uses 6000. International courier and express products commonly use 5000, and some use 4000. It is set by the carrier and the product, so confirm it on the quote rather than assuming.
Do I round the chargeable weight?
Yes, usually. Airlines commonly round chargeable weight up to the next 0.5 kg or 1 kg, and many rate breaks are applied at set weight bands. Our calculator shows the unrounded figure so you can see the true position.
Should I measure each carton or the whole pallet?
Measure what will be presented to the airline. If the cargo is palletised, measure the finished pallet including overhang and wrap. If cartons ship loose, measure each carton type and add the volumes together.
Why is my invoice higher than this calculator?
Air freight quotes usually include fuel and security surcharges, terminal handling, customs entry, screening and delivery on top of the per-kilogram rate. This tool calculates the chargeable weight only. Ask us for an all-in landed rate to see the full picture.
What if my cargo is oversized?
Pieces that exceed aircraft door or ULD limits may require a freighter, special handling or dismantling. Send us the dimensions early — the earlier we see them, the more options are available.
This calculator is a general estimating tool. Divisors, rounding, rate breaks and surcharges vary by carrier and product. Confirm chargeable weight with MTF Logistics before booking.