As an Ecommerce owner, you have probably already heard of the volumetric weight of a package, which is used by shipping service providers to calculate the dimensions of a package. But do you know how to calculate the volumetric weight?
Find out here how to calculate the volumetric weight and thus reduce your logistics costs.
What criteria are used by the various shipping service providers to calculate the volumetric weight of a parcel? In this article, you will find answers to all questions regarding volumetric weight.
What is the volumetric weight of a parcel?
The volumetric weight of a parcel is determined from the volume of the parcel and enables the shipping service provider to calculate the space required for transport. For this reason, shipping service providers compare the actual weight of a package with its volumetric weight and calculate the shipping costs based on the higher value.
Why should I calculate the volumetric weight?
Why should you calculate the volumetric weight if you already know the actual weight of your package? Well, because it is not the same to send a kilo of feathers or a kilo of lead.
Shipping service providers are always looking for ways to optimise the use of their trucks, without reaching the maximum payload. For this reason, shipping service providers compare the volumetric weight with the actual weight of a parcel to calculate the shipping costs.
It is important for shipping service providers to know the volumetric weight of a package for the following reasons:
- Optimal use of the available space in the airplane
- Calculating the correct shipping rate
- Optimising the profitability of deliveries
In e-commerce, it is therefore always worthwhile to calculate the volumetric weight of packages before they are shipped. This way you can determine your exact shipping costs in advance and, if necessary, increase the shipping costs. This will save you additional costs.
Calculating and understanding volumetric weight
Let’s take the example of an online shop for household goods.
A customer orders two large cushions and eight ceramic plates. The cushions are packaged in a larger package than the plates. The volumetric weight of the package containing the cushions is therefore greater than that of the package containing the plates, even though the package containing the plates is heavier.
Another example is an online shop selling DIY products.
Summer is approaching and one customer orders a small inflatable swimming pool for his garden. Another customer prefers to use the summer for DIY and orders 1,000 nails and 1,000 screws. The large quantity of nails and screws weighs more than the inflatable pool, but takes up less space. The volumetric weight for sending the inflatable pool is therefore higher than that for sending the nails and screws.
The shipping service provider always compares the volumetric weight with the actual weight of a package and calculates the shipping costs based on the higher value. This is why it costs more to send the cushions or the inflatable pool than the ceramic plates or the screws and nails.
Calculating the volumetric weight: how to do it?
You can calculate the volumetric weight in two different ways:
– Using a formula.
– By using a free volumetric weight calculator.
The formula for calculating the volumetric weight is as follows
Length x width x height / conversion factor = volumetric weight.
The length, width and height are measured in centimetres and the conversion factor depends on the shipping service provider concerned (it is usually 5,000 or 6,000).
We therefore recommend that you check with Ship2eu before sending. The way in which the volumetric weight is calculated and applied can vary depending on the delivery service chosen and the destination.
How do you pack your parcel correctly and reduce its volume?
Observe the following six tips when packing your parcels:
- Avoid unnecessary padding. Choose packaging that is as small as possible.
- The packaging should be perfectly adapted to the size of your goods. Avoid empty spaces, so that you save on volume and unnecessary padding and your goods will not slide around in the package.
- Use shipping packaging with built-in cushioning material, such as bubble wrap.
- Find a packaging supplier suitable for your e-commerce business and buy packaging materials in different sizes.
- Prefer biodegradable tape, especially if your package is small and heavy. The adhesive strength of high-quality PLA tape is higher than that of traditional adhesive tapes.
- Choose the most appropriate shipping method for each product, Ship2eu will choose the most suitable shipping method for each of your parcels
Ship2eu is a shipping service provider that always offers the best shipping service for every product. This saves you time, helps you to organise the logistics of your e-commerce business better and to meet challenges.
International Shipping cost calculator
The easiest way to learn how to calculate shipping costs is to use a calculator. The shipping calculator allows you to get an estimate of your shipping charge.
