Jet Worldwide Blog Posts

Chargeable Weight: Actual Weight vs. Dimensional Weight

One of the most common questions from shippers is: Why am I charged for a higher weight than the scale shows? This is because carriers calculate chargeable weight based on either the actual or dimensional (volume) weight — whichever is higher.

As more and more online companies ship international via air cargo, the question of chargeable weight - especially as it relates to volumetric pricing - can become significant unknown costs. While all shipments are subject to volume pricing, the affect on air - versus surface - is much more significant.