Shipping rates are based either on the Actual Weight of the package or the Dimensional (Volumetric) Weight of the package and whichever is the larger of the two is adopted as the Billable Weight. We will illustrate with an example later on.

So what is Dimensional Weight? Dimensional Weight is the shipping rate based on the package size or amount of space in cubic centimeters (Cubic inches) or Package Density that a package occupies in relation to its actual weight.

Space is important to courier or logistic companies as delivering more packages translates to higher earnings. As an example, a pair of ladies boots will weigh more than a pillow for adult use, however, the shipping rate of the pillow will be higher than the rate for the boots because it has a higher dimensional weight, in order words, it occupies more space.

How to Calculate Dimensional Weight based Rate

Corrosive substances

1.Examples: Corrosive cleaning liquids, corrosive rust removers and corrosion inhibitors, corrosive paint and vanish removers, nitric acid, battery liquids, and sulfuric acid.

Substances that may seriously damage living organisms through chemical reactions when they leak and make contact with living tissue or that may damage the other cargo or transport means.

Explosives

1.Explosive substances.Excluding highly hazardous ones categorized in other groups

2.Explosive articles. Excluding ones that that generate no jet, flame, heat, smoke, or loud noise to the outside through accidental ignition or explosion during transport, if they are limited in amount, or devices that contain such articles.

3.Other articles and substances that are not applicable to (1) or (2) but are designed to generate actual explosive and/or combustion effects.

Gases

1.Gases with steam pressures exceeding 300 kilopascals (3.0 bars or 43.5 pounds per 1 square inch) at 50 degrees centigrade (122 degrees Fahrenheit)

2.Materials that transform into gas at 20 degrees centigrade (68 degrees Fahrenheit) and at standard pressure 101.3 kilopascals (1.01 bars or 14.7 pounds per 1 square inch)

3.Category