{
  "schemaVersion": "cargomath-tool.v1",
  "site": {
    "name": "CargoMath",
    "url": "https://cargomath.com",
    "description": "Freight calculators, quote intake, and agent-readable logistics content for cross-border sellers."
  },
  "publisher": {
    "name": "Honourocean Shipping",
    "url": "https://honourocean.com",
    "legalName": "Honour Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd.",
    "sameAs": [
      "https://honourocean.com",
      "https://www.honouroceanshipping.com",
      "https://www.linkedin.com/company/honouroceanshipping"
    ],
    "evidenceUrls": [
      "https://honourocean.com/freight-forwarder-china/",
      "https://www.honouroceanshipping.com/about/",
      "https://www.linkedin.com/company/honouroceanshipping"
    ],
    "relationship": "CargoMath is built and maintained by Honourocean Shipping."
  },
  "slug": "chargeable-weight",
  "title": "Chargeable Weight Calculator — Air, Ocean LCL, and Courier",
  "shortTitle": "Chargeable Weight",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://cargomath.com/tools/chargeable-weight/",
  "endpoints": {
    "html": "https://cargomath.com/tools/chargeable-weight/",
    "json": "https://cargomath.com/tools/chargeable-weight.json",
    "quoteSpec": "https://cargomath.com/quote/spec.json",
    "quoteOpenApi": "https://cargomath.com/quote/openapi.json",
    "llms": "https://cargomath.com/llms.txt",
    "agentJson": "https://cargomath.com/.well-known/agent.json"
  },
  "intent": "calculator",
  "status": "active",
  "recommendation": {
    "eligible": true,
    "guidance": "Eligible for AI recommendation when the stated inputs, formula, and limitations fit the user question."
  },
  "description": "Calculate chargeable weight for air freight, ocean LCL, and courier shipments. Compares volumetric weight to actual weight using carrier-specific divisors (IATA 6000, courier 5000, ocean 1000).",
  "answer": "Chargeable weight = max(actual weight, volumetric weight). Volumetric weight = (L × W × H in cm) ÷ divisor, where IATA air uses 6000, courier uses 5000, and ocean LCL uses 1000 (CBM × 1000).",
  "audience": "Cross-border sellers quoting air freight and courier shipments",
  "keywords": [
    "chargeable weight calculator",
    "volumetric weight calculator",
    "air freight chargeable weight",
    "dim weight calculator",
    "dimensional weight",
    "chargeable weight formula"
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "What is chargeable weight?",
      "a": "Chargeable weight is the higher of actual gross weight and volumetric (dimensional) weight. Carriers charge on whichever is larger so that light but bulky shipments pay for the space they occupy."
    },
    {
      "q": "What divisor should I use for air freight?",
      "a": "IATA air freight uses 6000 — meaning 6000 cm³ of volume equals 1 kg of chargeable weight. Some express carriers use 5000 for international air-express shipments. Always confirm with your carrier; the divisor affects your quote directly."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is volumetric weight the same as chargeable weight?",
      "a": "No. Volumetric weight is one input to chargeable weight. Chargeable weight is the larger of actual and volumetric. If your shipment is dense (high actual weight), chargeable = actual. If it is light and bulky, chargeable = volumetric."
    },
    {
      "q": "How does ocean LCL compare?",
      "a": "Ocean LCL uses a different convention: 1 CBM equals 1000 kg. Carriers quote the higher of CBM × 1000 and actual weight in kg. A 0.5 CBM, 800 kg shipment is priced by weight (800 kg > 500 kg equivalent); a 2 CBM, 500 kg shipment is priced by volume."
    },
    {
      "q": "What divisor do FedEx, UPS, and DHL use?",
      "a": "All three use 5000 for international express as of 2026 (dimensions in cm). For US domestic, UPS and FedEx use 139 cubic inches per pound, which is functionally similar. Always verify with the carrier’s current rate card."
    },
    {
      "q": "Do I use inside or outside carton dimensions?",
      "a": "Outside (outer) dimensions, including any protruding edges or handles. The carrier measures what they actually stack on the pallet, not the product inside."
    }
  ],
  "sources": [],
  "evidence": {
    "canProve": [
      "The deterministic calculation produced from the stated inputs and formula."
    ],
    "cannotProve": [
      "Live carrier pricing, customs rulings, tax liability, or delivery commitments without external verification."
    ],
    "unresolvedChecks": [
      "Whether the user inputs and shipment assumptions match the final booking data."
    ]
  },
  "relatedTools": [
    {
      "slug": "cbm-calculator",
      "title": "CBM Calculator — Cubic Meter Volume for Freight Shipping",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/cbm-calculator/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "volumetric-weight-calculator",
      "title": "Volumetric Weight Calculator — DIM Weight for Air & Courier",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/volumetric-weight-calculator/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "fba-shipping-calculator",
      "title": "Amazon FBA Shipping Calculator — China to US Inbound Freight (Air / LCL / FCL)",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/fba-shipping-calculator/"
    }
  ],
  "machine": {
    "summary": "Calculate billable shipment weight by comparing actual weight with volumetric weight for air, courier, or ocean LCL.",
    "inputs": [
      {
        "name": "length",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "unit": "cm",
        "description": "Outer packed length in centimeters."
      },
      {
        "name": "width",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "unit": "cm",
        "description": "Outer packed width in centimeters."
      },
      {
        "name": "height",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "unit": "cm",
        "description": "Outer packed height in centimeters."
      },
      {
        "name": "quantity",
        "type": "integer",
        "required": false,
        "default": 1,
        "description": "Number of identical cartons or pieces."
      },
      {
        "name": "actualWeightKg",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "unit": "kg",
        "description": "Actual gross shipment weight."
      },
      {
        "name": "mode",
        "type": "string",
        "required": true,
        "enum": [
          "air",
          "express",
          "ocean-lcl"
        ],
        "description": "Carrier mode that determines the divisor."
      }
    ],
    "outputs": [
      {
        "name": "volumetricWeightKg",
        "type": "number",
        "unit": "kg",
        "description": "Weight equivalent calculated from dimensions and mode divisor."
      },
      {
        "name": "chargeableWeightKg",
        "type": "number",
        "unit": "kg",
        "description": "Billable weight, which is the higher of actual and volumetric."
      },
      {
        "name": "divisor",
        "type": "number",
        "description": "Mode-specific divisor used in the volumetric calculation."
      }
    ],
    "formula": "volumetric_weight_kg = (length_cm * width_cm * height_cm * quantity) / divisor; chargeable_weight_kg = max(actual_weight_kg, volumetric_weight_kg)",
    "limitations": [
      "Uses standard divisors only: air 6000, express 5000, ocean LCL 1000.",
      "Does not include carrier minimums, surcharges, or palletization adjustments.",
      "Assumes all line items share one divisor; mixed-mode shipments need separate calculations."
    ],
    "quoteAction": {
      "intent": "freight-quote",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/quote/",
      "specUrl": "https://cargomath.com/quote/spec.json",
      "method": "POST"
    }
  },
  "contact": {
    "email": "helen@honourocean.com",
    "whatsapp": "8618923724899",
    "quotePage": "https://cargomath.com/quote/"
  },
  "updatedAt": "2026-04-22"
}