Dimensional weight

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In shipping and freight, Dimensional Weight is a billing technique which takes into account the volume of a package. Shipping costs have historically been calculated on the basis of gross weight in kilograms or pounds. By charging only by weight, lightweight packages become unprofitable for freight carriers with limited shipping volumes.

Dimensional weight systems assume a nominal density for packages, and increase the billable weight for low density packages. In the USA, domestic air shipments often charge extra for packages less dense than 143 kilograms per cubic meter (9 pounds per cubic foot). For international flights, dimensional weight usually applies to packages less dense than 167 kilograms per cubic meter.

Using dimensional weight calculations, a freight carrier will charge for lightweight packages as if they had a greater weight. For example, box of clothing shipped internationally which weighs 0.9 kilograms, and measuring 20 cm by 30 cm by 50 cm (=0.03 cubic meters) would be charged as if it weighed 5.01 kilograms. (Generally, a carrier will then round this up to 6 kilograms and charge accordingly.)

Dimensional weight favors shippers of dense objects and penalizes those who ship lightweight boxes. A box of unpopped corn kernels will likely be charged by gross weight; a box of popcorn will probably be charged by its dimensional weight.

Shippers avoid dimensional weight charges by using smaller boxes, by compressing their goods, and by reducing the use of packing peanuts and other dunnage.

Dimensional weight is commonly used by air-freight carriers such as DHL, FedEx, and Lufthansa. In 2007, FedEx and United Parcel Service adopted the dimensional weight system for their ground services.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is also adopting dimensional weight, calling it Shape Based Postage Pricing. The rational behind this proposal is not only to charge more for lightweight items, but also to recover costs involving manual sorting and handling, since many postal machines are built to handle flats. This system would charge much more for mailing a parcel than a flat envelope. It encourages mailing books and DVDs in flat paperboard or plastic envelopes, rather than padded mailers.

A dimensional weight calculator at DHL

Canadian use of dimensional weight

United States Postal Service Proposed Price Adjustments for May 2007