Actual, dimensional and billable package weight

Define the purchasing question

A parcel can be billed for more kilograms than the scale reads. Separate scale weight, dimensional weight and service rounding before comparing boxes.

Use this tool to estimate the entered billing-weight rule, then request or apply the actual tariff. Compare alternatives under the same service assumptions.

Collect measurements that match the calculation

Measure the final external package and weigh it with all packing components. Obtain the divisor, dimension rounding and weight increment for the exact service and contract.

Enter a divisor and rounding increment confirmed for your service and contract. This estimates weight, not a carrier tariff. Check dimension rounding and size surcharges separately.

• Finished length (cm)
• Finished width (cm)
• Finished height (cm)
• Scale weight (kg)
• Confirmed service divisor (cm³/kg)
• Weight billing increment (kg)

Work through an illustrative case

Dimensional kg = L × W × H ÷ Divisor; Billable kg = ceil(max(Scale, Dimensional)/Increment) × Increment

60 × 40 × 30 cm at an entered 5,000 cm³/kg divisor gives 14.4 kg, or 15 kg at a 1 kg increment.

Replace these illustrative inputs with measured data or a quotation for the same scope. Change one assumption at a time so that a difference can be traced to a dimension, quantity, charge or process change.

Avoid the expensive comparison error

A 5,000 divisor is not a worldwide shipping rule. Size surcharges, minimum charges and tariff bands can change cost even when billable weight is unchanged.

• Example divisor is an entered planning value, not a universal carrier rule.
• Use final external dimensions; carrier dimension rounding is outside this model.

Common questions