Aircraft cargo holds run out of space before they run out of weight capacity. A box of pillows weighing 5kg can occupy the same space as a box of books weighing 25kg. If airlines charged purely by weight, bulky light shipments would be carried at a loss. Volumetric weight solves this: you pay for whichever is greater, the actual weight or the space your item occupies.
The air freight formula: length x width x height (in centimetres) divided by 6000 = volumetric weight in kilograms.
Example 1: a large suitcase. 75 x 50 x 30cm = 112,500 cubic cm. Divided by 6000 = 18.75kg volumetric. If the packed case weighs 23kg, you pay on 23kg (actual exceeds volumetric).
Example 2: a box of bedding. 60 x 60 x 50cm = 180,000 cubic cm. Divided by 6000 = 30kg volumetric. The box weighs only 8kg on the scale, but you pay on 30kg. This is why shipping duvets and pillows rarely makes sense.
Example 3: a box of books. 40 x 30 x 30cm = 36,000 cubic cm. Divided by 6000 = 6kg volumetric. The box weighs 22kg. You pay on 22kg. Books are dense: actual weight always wins, and anything over 30kg per item carries a heavy-weight surcharge to watch for.
Compress soft items. Vacuum bags shrink clothing and bedding volume dramatically, converting a volumetric-charged box into an actual-weight one.
Fill every void. Half-empty boxes charge you for air. Consolidate into fewer, fuller items.
Mix dense and light. Books at the bottom, clothing on top: the clothing fills volume the books do not use, and the box charges on actual weight.
Items over 30kg per item carry a £30.00 heavy-weight handling charge. Our items over 30kg per item carry a heavy-weight surcharge for safe handling. Two 20kg boxes beat one 40kg box, which would carry a heavy-weight surcharge. Call 0800 096 38 39 and we help you plan the most economical configuration.