Key points
- Chargeable weight = the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight.
- Sea LCL: 1 CBM = 1,000 kg, billed per W/M with a usual minimum of 1 CBM.
- Road LTL and rail LCL: commonly 1 CBM = 333 kg, but carriers vary, so check the quote.
- Air cargo: 6,000 cm³ per kg (about 167 kg per CBM); express couriers use 5,000.
- Full containers and full trucks are priced per unit, limited by payload, not by ratio.
What chargeable weight means
Every freight price is built on a unit. For a full container the unit is the box. For anything smaller, the carrier needs one number that is fair whether your pallet holds steel bolts or pillows. That number is the chargeable weight. The carrier works out a volumetric weight by multiplying your volume by a fixed ratio for the mode, compares it with the actual gross weight, and bills whichever is higher. Light, bulky cargo pays for the space it takes; heavy, compact cargo pays for its weight. The ratio is really a break-even density: if your goods weigh more per CBM than the ratio, weight decides; if they weigh less, volume decides.
| Mode | Ratio | Volumetric weight | Break-even density | Billed as |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea LCL | 1 CBM = 1,000 kg | CBM compared with tonnes | 1,000 kg per CBM | W/M (freight tons), minimum usually 1 CBM |
| Road LTL (groupage) | Commonly 1 CBM = 333 kg; some carriers use loading metres | CBM × 333 | 333 kg per CBM | kg, or per loading metre |
| Rail LCL | Commonly 1:3, L × W × H in cm ÷ 3,000 | CBM × 333 | 333 kg per CBM | kg or per CBM, by operator |
| Air cargo | IATA standard 6,000 cm³ per kg | L × W × H in cm ÷ 6,000 | about 167 kg per CBM | kg |
| FCL, FTL, full wagon | No ratio | Not used | Payload limit applies | Per container, truck or wagon |
Sea freight: W/M at 1:1000
Shared-container (LCL) sea freight is charged per W/M, short for weight or measure. The consolidator compares the volume in CBM with the gross weight in tonnes and charges the larger figure. 6 CBM weighing 2,000 kg is 2 tonnes against 6 CBM, so you pay 6 W/M. 3 CBM of tiles weighing 4,500 kg is 4.5 tonnes against 3 CBM, so you pay 4.5 W/M. A minimum charge, usually 1 CBM, applies to small lots, and origin and destination CFS fees are often also billed per W/M. Full containers ignore the ratio: you pay per box, but the payload limit matters. A 20GP typically carries about 25,000–28,000 kg, and dense goods such as tiles or steel usually reach the weight limit before they fill the space.
Usable space: 20GP ~25–28 CBM, 40GP ~55–58, 40HQ ~65–68.
- Measure the outer dimensionsMeasure each carton or pallet at its widest points, in centimetres, including the pallet and any overhang.
- Work out the volumeMultiply length × width × height and divide by 1,000,000 to get CBM per piece, then multiply by the number of pieces.
- Take the gross weightUse the gross weight from the packing list, including packaging and pallets, not the net weight of the goods.
- Apply the mode ratioMultiply total CBM by 1,000 for sea LCL, about 333 for road or rail, or about 167 for air.
- Compare and take the higherThe larger of actual weight and volumetric weight is your chargeable weight.
- Apply minimums and roundingCheck the minimum charge and how the carrier rounds; both appear in a proper quote.
Worked examples: one shipment, four modes
| Mode | Volume | Actual weight | Volumetric weight | Chargeable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea LCL (1:1000) | 4.8 CBM | 0.96 t | 4.8 t | 4.8 W/M (volume decides) |
| Road LTL (1:333) | 4.8 CBM | 960 kg | 1,598 kg | 1,598 kg (volume decides) |
| Rail LCL (1:333) | 4.8 CBM | 960 kg | 1,598 kg | 1,598 kg (volume decides) |
| Air cargo (1:167) | 4.8 CBM | 960 kg | 802 kg | 960 kg (weight decides) |
The table uses one real-world style lot: 40 cartons of 60 × 50 × 40 cm, each weighing 24 kg. Each carton is 0.12 CBM, so the lot is 4.8 CBM and 960 kg, a density of 200 kg per CBM. That density is below the sea and road ratios, so volume decides there, but above the air ratio of 167, so weight decides by air. Two more cases show the extremes. Tiles: 3 CBM at 4,500 kg are charged 4.5 W/M by sea and 4,500 kg by road, because 3 × 333 is only 999 kg. Pillows: 10 CBM at 600 kg are charged 10 W/M by sea, 3,330 kg by road or rail and 1,670 kg by air. Knowing your density tells you in seconds which side of the ratio you are on.
Road and rail: the 1:333 family
Road groupage (LTL) across the GCC and to Central Asia is often charged on 1 CBM = 333 kg, but this varies by carrier, and some European and Central Asian truckers price by loading metre instead. Full trucks are priced per vehicle; a standard 13.6 m tilt trailer takes roughly 82–90 CBM and 20–24 tonnes. Rail LCL is commonly calculated at 1:3, that is centimetres divided by 3,000, which also gives about 333 kg per CBM, although some rail consolidators simply quote per CBM with a weight cap. Full rail containers are priced per box. Golden Way's running land routes include daily trucks from the UAE to Oman and the Gulf states, rail and road to Central Asia via Khorgos, and the Middle Corridor and TIR trucks to Turkey and Europe. As of November 2026, sea LCL for Dubai is discharged at Khor Fakkan and moved to Jebel Ali by bonded truck because the Strait of Hormuz is closed to container ships; the sea leg is still billed on W/M, and our team confirms how the trucking leg is included.
- Ratio 1 CBM = 1,000 kg
- Billed per W/M with a usual 1 CBM minimum
- Cheapest per kg for most goods
- Often cheaper as FCL from about 12–15 CBM
- Commonly 1 CBM = 333 kg, varies by carrier
- Some carriers bill per loading metre
- Full trucks priced per vehicle
- Light, bulky cargo pays most of its volume
- Commonly 1:3, about 333 kg per CBM
- Some operators quote per CBM
- Full containers priced per box
- LCL rail adds about 2–4 days to transit
- IATA 6,000 cm³ per kg, about 167 kg per CBM
- Express couriers use 5,000
- Dense goods usually billed on actual weight
- Shown here for comparison
Air freight: 1:167 in practice
Air cargo uses the IATA volumetric standard of 6,000 cubic centimetres per kilogram. Take 10 cartons of 60 × 50 × 40 cm weighing 8 kg each. Each carton is 120,000 cm³, which divided by 6,000 gives 20 kg, so the shipment is charged 200 kg even though it weighs 80 kg. Air is where volumetric weight surprises importers most, because most consumer goods are lighter than 167 kg per CBM. Golden Way's core services are sea, road and rail; we include air here so you can compare quotes on the same basis.
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Frequently asked questions
What is chargeable weight?
It is the weight a carrier bills you on: the higher of the actual gross weight and the volumetric weight, which converts volume into kilograms with a ratio for each mode.
How do you calculate chargeable weight for sea freight?
Compare the volume in CBM with the gross weight in tonnes and take the larger. 1 CBM counts as 1,000 kg. A minimum of usually 1 CBM applies to LCL.
What ratio is used for road freight?
Road groupage is commonly charged at 1 CBM = 333 kg, but carriers differ and some use loading metres. Full trucks are priced per vehicle.
What is the volumetric factor for air cargo?
The IATA standard is 6,000 cm³ per kg, about 167 kg per CBM. Express couriers usually use 5,000 cm³ per kg.
Does chargeable weight apply to FCL?
No. A full container is priced per box. What matters is the payload limit, around 25,000–28,000 kg for a typical 20GP.
Is UAE customs duty based on chargeable weight?
No. UAE duty is 5% of the CIF value of the goods, and VAT is 5% on the CIF value plus duty. Chargeable weight only affects freight.
Sources
General information checked on the date shown. Rules and rates change: our team confirms the details for your shipment.