One major factor in the pricing of shipments is the dimensional weight. Read on to learn more about dimensional weight and how it affects pricing.
Dimensional weight, also called DIM weight, is a pricing technique used for commercial freight transfer, including courier and postal services. Dimensional weight is computed by multiplying length times width times height.
Since the amount of space on a delivery truck is limited, dimensional weight takes into account package density to determine shipping rates. So even if you have a lightweight package, it could be worth it to calculate DIM.
Freight carriers like USPS, FedEx, or UPS calculate shipping charges based on whichever number is greater: the actual weight of the package or its calculated dimensional weight. Whichever is higher becomes your billable weight.
It’s important to keep dimensional weight in mind when choosing which boxes to ship your products in. Larger boxes will lead to larger DIM weights, which in turn will lead to more expensive shipping costs. Use the smallest box possible while still ensuring orders are shipping securely and leaving enough room for any necessary air fill, bubble wrap
To calculate dimensional (DIM) weight, multiply the length, width, and height of a package, using the longest point on each side. Then, divide the cubic size of the package in inches by the DIM divisor to calculate the dimensional weight in kilograms.
- EMS（Australia Post）calculated by dead weight (real weight) only
- Other international freight company, like DHL, TNT or FedEx will consider chargeable weight between real weight and dimensional weight and charges the higher of either the dead (actual) or volumetric weight as chargeable weight.
- For domestic: multiply the Length (L) x Width (W) x Height (H) in centimetres and divide by 5,000
- 50 (L) x 30 (W) x 40 (H) = 60,000 divided by 4,000 equals 15 kg volumetric weight.
- 50 (L) x 30 (W) x 40 (H) = 60,000 divided by 4,000 equals 15 kg volumetric weight.
- For international: multiply the Length (L) x Width (W) x Height (H) in centimetres and divide by 5,000
- 50 (L) x 30 (W) x 40 (H) = 60,000 divided by 5,000 equals 12 kg volumetric weight.
- 50 (L) x 30 (W) x 40 (H) = 60,000 divided by 5,000 equals 12 kg volumetric weight.
- For domestic: multiply the Length (L) x Width (W) x Height (H) in centimetres and divide by 5,000