How to calculate the dimensional weight for a small parcel shipment ?
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Parcel shipments: Dimensional weight
Why
The shipping costs is typically calculated by taking the highest between the dimensional weight and the actual weight. This is referred to as the chargeable weight (billable weight).
How
The cubic weight, also known as dimensional weight, is calculated to determine the chargeable weight of a shipment when it takes up more space than its actual weight.
DIM weight = parcel length in inches x parcel width in inches x parcel height in inches
DIM divisor
The calculation involves the following steps:
1- Calculate the Volume: Multiply the length by the width by the height to obtain the volume of the shipment in cubic inches or cubic centimeters.
2- To convert the volume to cubic feet: divide the cubic inches by 1,728 (12 x 12 x 12), which is the number of cubic inches in a cubic foot.
3- To convert the volume to cubic meters: divide the cubic centimeters by 1,000,000 (100 x 100 x 100), which is the number of cubic centimeters in a cubic meter.
4- Determine the Dim Factor: The dim factor, also known as the dimensional weight factor, is a value assigned by the shipping carrier. It represents the amount of weight per unit of volume that is used to calculate the dimensional weight. The dim factor varies depending on the carrier and the unit of measurement (pounds or kilograms). Common dim factors include 139 for pounds and 5,000 for kilograms.
5- Calculate the Cubic Weight: Multiply the volume in cubic feet or cubic meters by the dim factor. The result is the dimensional weight of the package. If you have multiple handling units, add all the dimensions together.
6- Compare Actual Weight and Dimensional Weight: Compare the actual weight of the package (in pounds or kilograms) with the calculated dimensional weight. The higher of the two weights is typically used as the chargeable weight (billable weight) for determining the shipping cost. If you have multiple handling units, use the total dimensional weight and compare it with the total actual weight.
Keep in mind that different shipping carriers may have their own specific guidelines and dim factors for calculating dimensional weight. It's advisable to check with the carrier you are using for their specific requirements to ensure accurate calculations and determine the chargeable weight for your small parcel shipment.
