To understand the definition of bubble cargo and heavy cargo, it is necessary to know what actual weight, volumetric weight, and chargeable weight are.
1、 Actual weight
Actual Weight refers to the weight obtained by weighing (weighing), including Gross Weight (G.W.) and Net Weight (N.W.). The most common is the actual gross weight.
In the transportation of air cargo, the actual gross weight is often compared with the calculated volumetric weight, and the freight is calculated and charged based on the larger one.
2、 Volume weight
Volume Weight or Dimensions Weight refers to the weight calculated based on the volume of goods using a certain conversion factor or formula.
In air cargo transportation, the conversion factor for calculating volumetric weight is generally 1:167, which means that one cubic meter is approximately equal to 167 kilograms.
For example, if a shipment of air freight has an actual gross weight of 95 kilograms and a volume of 1.2 cubic meters, and is calculated using a 1:167 air freight coefficient, the volumetric weight of this shipment is 1.2 * 167=200.4 kilograms, which is greater than the actual gross weight of 95 kilograms. Therefore, this shipment is considered as foam cargo (also known as light weight cargo or light cargo/goods, or low density cargo or measurement cargo in English), and the airline will charge based on the volumetric weight, rather than the actual gross weight. Please note that air freight is generally referred to as bubble cargo, while sea freight is generally referred to as light cargo, with different names.
For example, if a shipment of air freight has an actual gross weight of 560 kilograms and a volume of 1.5 CBM, calculated using a 1:167 air freight coefficient, the volumetric weight of this shipment is 1.5 * 167=250.5 kilograms, which is less than the actual gross weight of 560 kilograms. Therefore, this shipment is considered heavy cargo (also known as Dead Weight Cargo or Heavy Cargo/Goods or High Density Cargo in English), and the airline will charge based on the actual gross weight, not the volumetric weight.
In short, according to a certain conversion factor, calculate the volumetric weight, and then compare the volumetric weight with the actual weight. The larger one will be charged accordingly.
3、 Chargeable weight
【 Chargeable Weight 】 In English, it is called Chargeable Weight, abbreviated as C W. The weight used to calculate shipping or other miscellaneous fees.
The chargeable weight is either the actual gross weight or the volumetric weight. The chargeable weight equals the actual weight minus the volumetric weight, whichever is greater, is the weight used to calculate the transportation cost.
4、 Calculation method
Calculation methods for express delivery and air freight:
Rule items:
Length (cm) x Width (cm) x Height (cm) ÷ 6000=Volume Weight (KG), i.e. 1CBM ≈ 166.66667KG.
Irregular items:
Longest (cm) x widest (cm) x highest (cm) ÷ 6000=volumetric weight (KG), i.e. 1CBM ≈ 166.66667KG.
This is an internationally recognized algorithm.
In short, a weight greater than 166.67 kilograms per cubic meter is called heavy cargo, and a weight less than 166.67 kilograms is called soaked cargo.
Heavy goods are charged based on actual gross weight, while soaked goods are charged based on volume weight.
Notes:
1. CBM stands for Cubic Meter, which means cubic meter.
2. The volume and weight are also calculated based on length (cm) x width (cm) x height (cm) ÷ 5000, which is not common and is generally only used by courier companies.
3. In fact, the classification of heavy cargo and bubble cargo in air cargo transportation is much more complex. For example, according to different densities, there are statements such as 1:300, 1:400, 1:500, 1:800, and 1:1000. Different proportions result in different prices.
For example, 25 yuan/kg at 1:300 and 24 yuan/kg at 1:500. The so-called 1:300 means that 1 cubic meter is equal to 300 kilograms, 1:400 means that 1 cubic meter is equal to 400 kilograms, and so on.
4. In order to fully utilize the space and load capacity of an aircraft, it is generally necessary to combine heavy cargo and foam cargo in a reasonable manner. Air cargo allocation is a technical activity - if done well, it can fully utilize the limited cabin resources of the aircraft, and even significantly increase additional profits. Too much heavy cargo will waste space (if the cabin is not full, it will be overweight), and too much cargo will waste payload (if it is full before reaching the maximum weight).
The calculation method for sea freight:
1. The classification of heavy and light goods by sea transportation is much simpler than air transportation. In China's sea freight LCL business, heavy and light goods are basically distinguished based on the standard that 1 cubic meter is equal to 1 ton. In sea freight consolidation, heavy cargo is rare and mostly light cargo. Moreover, sea freight consolidation is calculated based on volume, which is fundamentally different from air freight calculation based on weight, so it is relatively simpler. Many people have made a large amount of sea freight, but have never heard of light and heavy goods because they are rarely used.
2. According to the ship's load factor, any cargo with a load factor less than the ship's compartment capacity factor is called Dead Weight Cargo/Heavy Goods; Any cargo with a loading factor greater than the vessel's capacity factor is called Measurement Cargo/Light Goods.
3. According to the perspective of calculating freight rates and international shipping practices, any cargo with a loading factor of less than 1.1328 cubic meters/ton or 40 cubic feet/ton is called heavy cargo; Any cargo with a loading factor greater than 1.1328 cubic meters/ton or 40 cubic feet/ton is called light cargo/bubble cargo.
4. The concepts of heavy and light goods are closely related to storage, transportation, storage, and billing. The carrier or freight forwarding company distinguishes heavy cargo, light cargo/bubble cargo according to certain standards.
The above content is sourced from Ocean Shipping Network
