Volumetric Weight & Dimensional Weight for China Shipping

Volumetric weight (dimensional weight) determines what you pay when cargo is light but bulky. Importers shipping from China must compare actual weight vs chargeable volume — especially for furniture, apparel, and Amazon FBA cartons.

Volumetric Weight Formula

• Sea LCL: 1 CBM = 1,000 kg chargeable. If cargo is 400 kg but 2 CBM, you pay for 2 CBM.
• Air freight: Chargeable kg = (L cm × W cm × H cm) ÷ 6,000, or 167 kg per CBM — whichever is higher vs actual weight.
• Express/courier: Often uses divisor 5,000 — check carrier rules.

See also: How to calculate CBM

Worked Example: Bulky Furniture

One carton: 120×80×90 cm, actual weight 45 kg.

• CBM = 1.2 × 0.8 × 0.9 = 0.864 CBM
• Sea chargeable: 0.864 CBM (vs 45 kg → 0.045 CBM equivalent) — pay for 0.864 CBM
• Air volumetric: 120×80×90 ÷ 6,000 = 144 kg chargeable (vs 45 kg actual) — pay for 144 kg

How to Reduce Volumetric Charges

• Right-size cartons — eliminate empty air space
• Flat-pack and nest products where possible
• Consolidate at GSC Guangzhou warehouse and repack efficiently
• Compare LCL vs FCL — FCL may win at 15+ CBM regardless of weight

Get an Accurate Quote

Send packing list with L×W×H per carton and total weight. GSC verifies at warehouse receiving and quotes all-inclusive DDP to USA, UK, or Europe.