What is Volume Weight (Volumetric Weight)?
Understanding Volume weight, often referred to as volumetric weight, is a fundamental pricing factor employed by shipping carriers. It ensures fair representation of shipping costs by considering the dimensional space occupied by a package alongside its actual weight. Carriers use the larger value between actual weight and volume weight to ensure proper compensation for transporting parcels, whether dense and compact or lightweight but space-consuming
How to Calculate Volume Weight
Calculating volume weight is relatively straightforward. Multiply the length, width, and height of the package, and then divide the result by a specified volumetric factor. This factor may vary depending on the carrier and is usually expressed in cubic inches or centimeters per pound or kilogram. Equipping yourself with this formula empowers you to make informed shipping choices that significantly impact your expenses.
The Crucial Role of Volume Weight in Shipping
Efficiently managing volume weight is vital for several reasons:
- Cost Optimization: Shipping carriers utilize volumetric weight to ensure fair pricing. Ignoring this metric could lead to overpaying for shipping lightweight, but bulky packages, eroding your profit margins.
- Smart Packaging Decisions: Awareness of volumetric weight encourages smart packaging choices. Employing the right-sized boxes and reducing unnecessary packaging materials can lower shipping costs and minimize environmental impact.
- Enhanced Customer Experience: Precise volumetric weight calculations facilitate accurate shipping cost estimates for customers. No one likes unexpected shipping charges or delays, so transparent pricing builds trust and enhances customer satisfaction.
Conclusion:
Understanding volumetric weight in the shipping industry is a game-changer. It plays a pivotal role in optimizing shipping costs, fostering sustainability, and providing superior customer experiences. Volume weight plays a crucial role in every aspect of shipping operations. As you navigate the dynamic world of shipping, keeping this key metric in mind empowers you to make informed decisions, staying ahead in the competitive market.
Real-Life Examples Showcasing Volume Weight Significance:
Example 1: Shipping light but extremely large items
A rare antiques furniture E-commerce brand sold a beautiful SELIG Lounge chair inspired by the Designer Ward Bennett from the 1960’s. The Chair itself is no more than 35lbs but the size of the ready-to-ship package was 31” x 31” x 31” (31x31x31/139=214.32lbs Volume Weight). This shipper was ecstatic with the fact that he could properly quote his receiver and provide a smooth, enhanced customer experience to his buyer in Atlanta Georgia, USA.
Example 2: Shipping heavy but extremely small items
A great example being last week, a customer shipped a box of printed matter to Dobbs Ferry NY. The package was 12” x 19” x 11” (12x19x11/139=18.04lbs Volume Weight) but the package weighed 31.70lbs. In this situation, the shipper can expect to be billed for the actual weight (31.70lbs) because it is the higher of the 2 factors.
