What is cubic volume of freight? When transport or courier companies transport goods they charge either deadweight or cubic weight.
Getting your freight from point a to point b isn’t as simple as putting it on a truck and waiting. You have to choose the right freight service and then you have to measure your freight. While the best expedited shipping services can simplify this process, savvy shippers also know how to accurately measure freight and determine freight class. In this infographic post, we have visual instructions for measuring your freight prior to shipping.
Sorting through freight providers to find the one that best suits your needs and budget can often be a time consuming and frustrating experience, however there’s an easier way - Couriers and Freight.
Couriers and Freight makes the process of finding, getting a quote and booking easy because it’s not like other online brokers or aggregators.
Keep in mind that any item over 35 kilograms (dead weight) must be placed in a skid or pallet. Health and safety requirements prevent freight drivers lifting anything above this weight. Putting multiple cartons that are being shipped by the same carrier should be put onto one pallet so they can be easily and quickly collected by the driver. If they're going to multiple destinations you’ll need to put “Breakdown at depot” on the label so the carrier knows.
The perfect carton to ship depends on whose shipping it. When it comes to Startrack, the ideal carton is up to 1.2 metres and weighs up to 20 kilograms. TNT and Toll also like cartons that are up to 1.2 metres but weight shifts to 30 kilograms. All providers prefer packages that don't contain liquids, fragile or loose items. If your package meets these specifications it will easily move through carrier automated sorting systems, and can be easily lifted and moved by drivers and freight handlers. Perfect cartons means cheaper freight for you.
The not so perfect carton is one that’s over 1.2 metres, has straps, contains dangerous goods, fragile items and liquids. While not ideal they can still be shipped via air and road freight networks but will incur higher fees and charges as they require manual handling.
When shipping a carton you have a choice of calculating the cubic weight or the volumetric weight, whichever is best suited to the service selected.
Multiply the height x length x width = 0.35 x 0.65 x 0.4 = 0.091 m³ (Cubic Measurement)
To convert 0.091 m³ to a weight in kilograms: Multiply 0.091m3 x 333 (general freight cubic conversion) = 30.30 kg
30.30 kg is greater than the actual weight of 15 kg
Multiply the height x length x width = 40 x 35 x 65 = 91,000 cm³
To convert 91,000 cm³ to a weight in kilograms: Divide the number by 6000 and round up. Volumetric weight of the carton is 15.2 kg
Volumetric weight for international shipments are calculated using the formulae below. Volumetric weights for domestic shipments may vary, so please contact your local Couriers and Freight customer services department or country website. Length x width x height in centimetres / 6000 = Volumetric weight in kilograms rounded up to the nearest 0.5kg.
International Volumetric = Height x Length x Width / 5000
Multiply the height x length x width = 40 x 35 x 65 = 91,000 cm³
To convert 91,000 cm³ to a weight in kilograms: Divide the number by 5000 and round up. Volumetric weight of the carton is 18.5 kg
Volumetric Weight Formula: Height x Length x Width / 6000
Multiply the height x length x width = 40 x 35 x 65 = 91,000 cm³
To convert 91,000 cm³ to a weight in kilograms: Divide the number by 6000 and round up. Volumetric weight of the carton is 15.5 kg
Transport companies charge either dead weight or cubic weight. Which ever is greater! Dead weight = the actual weight of the item and cubic weight = the volume weight i.e. size of the freight item (formula calculation) see below. Throughout the industry, different cubic conversions exist. This normally depends on what transport mode is utilised by the customer. Please see the rate factor table on the right to see which one applies to you.
Cubic conversion is the term given to measuring the size of a freight consignment. Large and lightweight shipments may take up more space on the trailer than heavy weight freight items, so it is important the size of freight is taken into consideration when calculating freight costs.
Cubic Volume Formula: Height x Length x Width
Multiply the height x length x width = 0.35 x 0.65 x 0.4 = 0.091 m³ (Cubic Measurement)
To convert 0.091 m³ to a weight in kilograms: Multiply 0.091m3 x 333 (general freight cubic conversion) = 30.30 kg
30.30 kg is greater than the actual weight of 15 kg
Cubic Volume Formula: Height x Length x Width
Multiply the height x length x width = 1.9 x 1.2 x 1.2 = 2.736 m³ (Cubic Measurement)
To convert 2.736 m³ to a weight in kilograms: Multiply 2.736 m³ x 333 (general freight cubic conversion) = 911 kg
911 kg greater than the actual weight of 450 kg
Cubic Volume Formula: Height x Length x Width
Multiply the height x length x width = 1.6 x 1.3 x 1.4 = 2.912 m³ (Cubic Measurement)
To convert 2.912 m³ to a weight in kilograms: Multiply 2.912 m³ x 333 (general freight cubic conversion) = 970 kg
970 kg greater than the actual weight of 580 kg
Cubic Volume Formula: Height x Length x Width
Multiply the height x diameter x diameter = 1.9 x 1.1 x 1.1 = 2.299 m³ (Cubic Measurement)
To convert 2.912 m³ to a weight in kilograms: Multiply 2.912 m³ x 333 (general freight cubic conversion) = 765 kg
765 kg greater than the actual weight of 500 kg
Dangerous goods are any substances that is corrosive, flammable, combustible, explosive, oxidising or water-reactive or have other hazardous properties. Dangerous goods can cause explosions or fires, serious injury, death and large-scale damage. You may not be aware your goods are dangerous. That’s why its important to check the classifications below to ensure your goods can be shipped safe and you are compliant.
DG Class: 1, like fireworks and flares
DG Class: 2.1, like aerosols or camping gas
DG Class: 2.2, like compressed oxygen
DG Class: 2.3, like pesticides or herbicides
DG Class: 3, like solvents and paints
DG Class: 4.1, like matches or potassium
DG Class: 4.2, like phosphorus
DG Class: 4.3, like calcium carbide
DG Class: 5.1, like fertiliser
DG Class: 5.2, like fibreglass repair kits
DG Class: 6.1, like pesticides
DG Class: 6.2, like blood tests or medical trials
DG Class: 7, like smoke detectors
DG Class: 8, like bleach or drain cleaner
DG Class: 4.2, Like airbags, magnets, or laptops
If you spot any of the labels shown on the items you want to ship, you'll need to get in touch with us.If you're not sure whether your shipment is dangerous goods or not, ask the manufacturer or supplier for a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). If it contains a UN number, it's a dangerous good. Alternatively, you can just contact us.
Some goods that are classified as hazardous materials may surprise you, such as aerosols, perfume or anything containing lithium batteries – like phones or laptops.
If packed incorrectly or damaged in transit, lithium batteries can short-circuit, causing them to overheat and catch fire.
The compressed gas that makes these items work is hazardous and can explode if packed incorrectly.
Oil-based paints, spray paints and some varnishes can overheat and catch fire in certain conditions.
Alcohol, which is a flammable substance, is also a crucial ingredient in almost all perfumes and colognes.
Magnets can cause problems in transit affecting other packages or even cause disruptions to avionics or material handling equipment
If the alcohol content of the beverage exceeds 24% proof it is classified as a dangerous good
Can start a fire or release toxic gases if they come into contact with other chemicals, including moisture and water.
If the alcohol content of the beverage exceeds 24% proof it is classified as a dangerous good
Lithium Battery – The term “lithium battery” refers to a family of batteries with different chemistries, comprising many types of cathodes and electrolytes. For the purposes of the DGR they are separated into:
Lithium-ion batteries (sometimes abbreviated Li-ion batteries) are a secondary (rechargeable) battery where the lithium is only present in an ionic form in the electrolyte. Also included within the category of lithium-ion batteries are lithium polymer batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are generally used to power devices such as mobile telephones, laptop computers, tablets, power tools and e-bikes.
Lithium Ion Batteries are classified as follows:
Lithium metal batteries. Are generally primary (non-rechargeable) batteries that have lithium metal or lithium compounds as an anode. Also included within lithium metal are lithium alloy batteries.Lithium metal batteries are generally used to power devices such as watches, calculators, cameras, temperature data loggers, car key fobs and defibrillators.
Lithium Metal Batteries are classified as follows:
It’s the shipper’s responsibility to ensure dangerous goods are correctly declared, packed and labelled with the right documentation for the countries of origin, transit and destination. What we can do is make it as easy as possible for you to follow these rules. With a bit of teamwork, we’ll get your dangerous goods shipped in no time.
If you have any doubts about whether your shipment is classified as dangerous goods or not, just get in touch with our experts using the button below. They’re on hand to answer all your dangerous goods questions – and will walk you through the shipping process.
Talk to us todayTo ship dangerous goods, consignors are required to prepare a form certifying that the cargo has been packed, labeled and declared according. Download the form below and start shipping.
Let us leverage industry knowledge and connections to find the best deal
Let us leverage industry knowledge and connections to find the best deal
Let us leverage industry knowledge and connections to find the best deal
If you’d like to talk to us about any of your shipments call 1300 10 11 10 to speak to our friendly experts.