What is dimensional weight?
Essentially, dimensional weight is a pricing technique that freight companies use to maximize shipping efficiency.
Think of dimensional weight like this: The more space you take up on your haul truck, the more you’ll likely have to pay. Volumetric weight calculates how much volume a box has and converts that volume to weight.
So don’t pack your homemade candles in an oversized shipping box, as you’ll end up paying more for the air and space it takes up on the truck.
This is a more formal definition of dimensional weight.
Before dimensional weights were implemented, carriers were only charged based on the actual weight of the package. this is a problem. People pack lightweight items in large boxes. So when carriers pack their shipping units, they find they are packing several lightweight boxes that take up a lot of space. Since they can only pack as many items according to the space, they cannot ship as many items at once.
Dimensional weight calculates how much volume a box has and counts that volume into the weight. If the dimensional weight of the package is higher than the actual weight of the contents, you may be charged for the dimensional weight. Whichever number is higher, the carrier calls your billable weight. This solves the problem of light weight but bulky packages taking up space on the shipping unit.
How to determine actual weight
The actual weight of your package is rounded up to the next whole pound.
So if you have a 13.1 lb package, it will be counted as 14 lbs. Include any packaging for the item, such as bubble wrap or foam.
It is best to use a scale to determine the weight of the package, as this is the measuring device the shipper will use.
How to Determine Dimensional Weight
Dimensional weight is more difficult to determine.
It refers to packing density, which is the amount of space a pack can occupy compared to its actual weight. The dimensional weight of the package applies to all domestic and international packing services.
First, you need to use inches in the US
Measure the package at its longest, widest, and highest point, even if they are not on the same end.
Each of these needs to be rounded to the nearest whole number.
For example, anything less than half an inch is rounded down, and anything half an inch or more is rounded up.
Then multiply these three numbers together to get the package’s cubic dimensions (in inches).
Then there are two ways to calculate the next step:
For domestic shipments, you need to divide the cubic size by 166. Any fractions need to be rounded up to the nearest whole number. You should also use this number when you ship from Canada using Canada’s UPS standard.
For international shipments, you divide the same cubic size by 139. Again, you need to round up any fractions to the nearest whole number.
For example, if you have a package with a maximum point of 20″” x 10″” x 10″”. The cubic dimensions are:
20 X 10 X 10 = 2000
Then 2000 / 166 = 12.05
2000 / 139 = 14.38
For domestic and Canadian standard shipments, the dimensional weight is 12.05, rounded up to 13.
For international shipments, the dimensional weight is 14.38 and needs to be rounded up to 15.
