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To understand the definition of Light Weight Cargo and Heavy Cargo/, you need to know what actual weight, volumetric weight, and billable weight are.
How to identify light weight cargo
Actual Weight
Actual Weight, i.e. the weight obtained according to weighing (overweight), includes Actual Gross Weight and Actual Net Weight.
In air cargo transportation, the actual gross weight is often compared with the calculated volumetric weight, and whichever is greater is calculated and charged for freight.
Volumetric Weight
Volumetric Weight or Dimensions Weight, i.e. weight calculated from the volume of cargo according to a certain conversion factor or formula.
In air cargo transportation, the conversion coefficient for calculating volumetric weight is generally 1:167, i.e. one cubic meter is equal to 167 kilograms.
For example: the actual gross weight of a ticket of air cargo is 95 kg, the volume of 1.2 cubic meters, according to the coefficient of 1:167 air transportation, the volume of this ticket of cargo weight is 1.2 * 167 = 200.4 kg, which is greater than the actual gross weight of 95 kg, so this cargo is Light Weight Cargo.
Therefore, this cargo is Light Weight Cargo. The airline will charge according to the volume weight, not the actual gross weight.
Another example: the actual gross weight of an air cargo is 560 kg, the volume is 1.5 CBM, according to the coefficient of 1:167 for air transportation, the volume weight of this cargo is 1.5*167=250.5 kg, which is less than the actual gross weight of 560 kg, so this cargo is Heavy Cargo.
Chargeable Weight
Chargeable Weight, abbreviated as C.W., is the weight according to which freight or other miscellaneous charges are calculated.
Chargeable Weight is either the actual gross weight or the volume weight, Chargeable Weight = Actual Weight VS Volume Weight, whichever is greater is the weight for calculating the transportation cost.
Calculation method
Calculation method for shipping and air shipments:
Rule item:
Length(cm)×Width(cm)×Height(cm)÷6000=Volumetric weight(KG),i.e. 1CBM≈166.66667KG.
Irregular items:
The longest (cm) × the widest (cm) × the highest (cm) ÷ 6000 = volume weight (KG), that is, 1CBM ≈ 166.66667KG.
This is the internationally accepted algorithm.
In short, the weight of 1 cubic meter is called Heavy Cargo/ if it is more than 166.67kg, and Light Weight Cargo if it is less than 166.67kg.
Heavy Cargo/ is charged according to the actual gross weight and Light Weight Cargo is charged according to the volume weight.
Notes:
1. CBM is the abbreviation of Cubic Meter, which means cubic meter.
2. Volumetric weight is also calculated according to L(cm)×W(cm)×H(cm)÷5000, which is not common, and only express companies use this algorithm.
3. in fact, air cargo transportation on Heavy Cargo / and Light Weight Cargo division is much more complex, such as according to the different density, there are 1:300, 1:400, 1:500, 1:800, 1:1000 and so on. The price is different for different ratios.
For example, 1:300 is 25$/kg and 1:500 is 24$/kg. The so-called 1:300 is 1 cubic meter is equal to 300 kg, 1:400 is 1 cubic meter is equal to 400 kg, and so on.
4. In order to fully utilize the space and capacity of the aircraft, generally Heavy Cargo / and Light Weight Cargo for a reasonable combination of air cargo distribution is a technical job – with good, you can make full use of the aircraft’s limited space resources, do a good job or even significantly increase the additional profits! Too much Heavy Cargo will be a waste of space (overweight before filling the space), and too much Light Weight Cargo will be a waste of weight (full before reaching the maximum weight).
Tips
Sea freight LCL is based on the density of water 1000KGS/1CBM, cargo weight in tons than the number of cubic meters, greater than 1 is Heavy Cargo/, less than 1 is Light Weight Cargo, but now a lot of voyage weight limit, so the ratio is adjusted to 1 ton / 1.5CBM or so.
China to USA air freight, 1000 to 6 shall prevail, equivalent to 1CBM = 166.6KGS, 1CBM more than 166.6 is Heavy Cargo /, on the contrary is Light Weight Cargo.
Shipping from China to the USA
Understanding the difference between actual weight and volumetric weight is vital for effective freight planning. If your goods take up more space than their physical weight justifies, carriers classify them as light weight cargo. When arranging shipping from China to USA, carriers base their fees on the chargeable weight—the greater of the actual scale weight or the calculated volumetric weight.
If you import large but light items, your shipping cost calculation relies entirely on these dimensions. Miscalculating package sizes can drastically inflate the budget for your freight from China to USA. Furthermore, providing incorrect weight and volume metrics on your commercial documents can trigger physical cargo inspections during US customs clearance, which unexpectedly extends your overall transit time.
Optimizing your package sizes to balance space and weight is the most effective way to reduce expenses and ensure a seamless supply chain when shipping from China to the USA.
For more strategies on optimizing your logistics and routing, read our Complete guide to shipping from China to the USA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered light weight cargo when shipping from China to the US?
When importing goods from China to the United States, carriers classify your shipment as light weight cargo if its volumetric weight is greater than its actual physical weight. For example, if you are shipping large items like pillows or bulky plastic toys, they take up a lot of space but weigh very little. Airlines and ocean carriers will charge you based on the space these items occupy rather than what they weigh on a scale.
How do carriers calculate the shipping cost for light weight cargo?
Carriers use a standard formula to determine the chargeable weight for your freight from China to the USA. They calculate the volumetric weight by multiplying the length, width, and height of your packages, then dividing by a specific dimensional factor. If this calculated volume is higher than the actual gross weight, you must pay the volumetric rate. Optimizing your packaging to reduce empty space is highly crucial to keeping your shipping costs down.
Can shipping light weight cargo cause delays during US customs clearance?
Yes, inaccurate volume and weight declarations can cause unexpected delays when your shipment arrives from China. If your commercial documents list the actual weight but fail to accurately state the volumetric dimensions of your light weight cargo, US customs officers might flag the container for physical inspection. To ensure smooth clearance and avoid costly hold-ups, always double-check that your packing lists perfectly match the dimensional weight calculated by your freight forwarder.