Normally, when you ask for airfreight from a shipping company, they will offer you an AIR FREIGHT for ALL IN rate, which is included fuel surcharge, security inspection fee, airport operation fee, document fee, and customs fee.
Here let me share with you more about air freight, such as air freight calculation, and how to calculate the chargeable weight? What are the factors affecting air freight? How to save the air freight cost?
Air freight calculation
The freight of the airline is mainly composed of two parts: air freight and surcharges.
Generally speaking, air freight cost per kg from China we will offer a different price against difference chargeable weight, there are five classes price: +45KG, +100KG (goods over 100KG) +300KG, +500KG, +1000KG.
And normally, if there is no corresponding level of freight, the freight will be calculated according to the TACT price (air freight rate).
The chargeable weight is also an important thing. The weight of the goods is divided into two aspects: volume weight and gross weight.
When the volumetric weight is greater than the gross weight, the volumetric weight is the chargeable weight of the goods, and when the volumetric weight is less than the gross weight, the actual gross weight is the chargeable weight.
Air freight chargeable weight for gross weight cargo or volume weight cargo
Air freight chargeable weight means a shipment is ultimately used to calculate the air freight.
(General units are: grams, and kilograms)
High-density cargo（Heavy cargo）
In China: high-density cargo means weighing more than 1 kg per 6,000 cubic centimeters or 166.67 kg per 1CBM (cubic meter).
In international: Cargo weighing more than 1 kg per 166 cubic inches or one pound per 166 cubic inches.
The chargeable weight of a high-density cargo is the actual weight (gross weight).
The gross weight of the goods is in kilograms, and the minimum unit of billable weight is 0.5 kilograms or 1 kilogram (determined by each airline).
*The small unit is 0.5 kg. When the weight is less than 0.5 kg, it will be calculated as 0.5 kg; if it exceeds 0.5 kg and less than 1 kg, it will be calculated as 1 kg. *When the smallest unit is 1kg, if it is less than 1kg, it will be calculated as 1kg.
Volume Weight Calculator for Air Freight (Light cargo)
A: Actual gross weight B: Volume weight
If A > B then the cargo is high-density cargo, the opposite will be light cargo.
In China: Light cargo means those goods weighing less than 1 kg per 6,000 cubic centimeters or less than 166.67 kg per 1 CBM (cubic meter).
In International: Cargo weighing less than 1 kg per 366 cubic inches or less than 1 pound per 167 cubic inches.
For volume cargo (light cargo), its dimensional weight is used as the chargeable weight, and the calculation method is as follows:
Regardless of the geometric shape of the goods, measure the *length, *width, and *height parts of the goods, in centimeters, meters or inches Volume weight (kg) = length (cm) × width (cm) × height (cm) ÷ 6000 = Cargo volume (cubic meters) × 167kg = Cargo volume (cubic inches) ÷ 366 Volume weight (lbs) = Cargo volume (cubic inches) ÷ 166
Example description of air freight chargeable weight
Example 1:
There is a shipment, after weighting and measuring,
Final data is: 10 pallets, 2500kgs, 18.72cbm. size: 120*120*130cm per each pallet.
So actual gross weight: 2500kgs.
Volume weight: 120*120*130/6000=3120kgs.
Volume weight> actual gross weight, so it’s a volume cargo, and the chargeable weight is against volume weight.
Example 2:
There is a shipment, after weighting and measure,
Final data is: 100cartons, 1680kgs, 3cbm
So actual gross weight: 1680kgs.
Volume weight: 3cbm*167kgs=501kgs.
Actual gross weight > Volume weight, so it’s a heavy cargo and the chargeable weight against as gross weight.
International air freight rates per kg:
Due to COVID-19, International air freight can cost between $0.50-$5.00 per kilogram, or more, depending on the type of air cargo being shipped.
What are the factors affecting air freight? How to save the air freight cost?
Air freight will be a float with some factors like peak season or low season, high-density cargo or volume cargo, big size packing, or small size packing? Dangerous goods or general cargo, direct flight service or indirect flight service, or some other else.
Normally speaking, of course, air freight during low season is cheaper than peak season, and high-density cargo air freight is cheaper than volume cargo (but no over 1cbm>5000kgs), loosen cargo air freight is cheaper than big size cargo like pallet shipment.
Please tell us the cargo weight, POD, or more details, and click the button to access live freight quotes from global logistics providers.
