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What is dimensional weight in commercial freight and why does it matter?

Of course, blankets are cheaper than headphones, but they can take more space. That’s the point! In shipping, no matter how lightweight your goods are, the space occupied by them is also considered when it comes to pricing. You might end up paying hugely for shipping your cheap blankets than the pricey headphones. This is where the term dimensional weight comes into the picture. But don’t worry, there are ways to avoid the cost of dimensional weight. For your help in this article, we are going to discuss dimensional weight in detail. So, let’s break it all. 

What is dimensional weight?

Also known as DIM weight, volumetric weight, or cubed weight, dimensional weight is a pricing technique used in commercial freight transport that takes into account an estimated weight based on the space occupied by a package. The calculation of dimensional weight is simple. Let’s discuss that. 

How is dimensional weight calculated?

By calculating the dimensional weight that is the physical size of the package, and comparing it with its actual weight, the freight companies determine the shipping rates. 

The most basic formula used to calculate the dimensional weight is:

DIM weight = Cubic Size of the Package / DIM Factor

Now, you must be thinking about what the cubic size of the package is and what the DIM factor is. In short, the cubic size is the multiplication of length, width, and height of the package. As far as, the DIM Factor is concerned, it usually differs from Carrier to the carrier.

So, if the cubic size of your package is (20 x 12 x 12) inches i.e. 2880 cubic inches and the DIM Factor used by your carrier is 139, your DIM weight would be 2880 cubic inches / 139 = 20.7. However, since in shipping a rounded-up figure is considered, the DIM weight would be 21 pounds. 

Why is DIM Weight Important?

It is important to know the DIM weight of your package as shipping companies use it for calculating the shipping prices. Not just that, if you have the idea of the DIM weight you can pack goods more efficiently, reduce the DIM weight and reduce the shipping costs. Besides, by efficient packaging, you can make your shipment more environmentally friendly as it would not only save material used for packaging but will save the fuel as well and so reduce the emissions. 

Dimensional Weight Vs Actual Weight Vs Billable Weight

Actual Weight: The weight of the product including packaging.

Dimensional Weight: The weight of the product is calculated based on the dimension of the product that is the space it occupies. 

Billable Weight: The weight of the product used to calculate the shipping rates. It is the greater weight of the two (actual weight vs. dimensional weight).

Wrap Up

Though DIM weight or dimensional weight is used by commercial freight transport companies as a pricing technique to get full value from the spaces they have, you can act even smarter and avoid it by rightsizing your package. Pick the packaging that matches the fragility and size of your item. A good freight forwarding company can help you do that. While they do not under-pack or risk damage by doing the right cushioning for your items if they are delicate, they don’t waste material on over-packing as well.

30 October 2021