Before you ship
Volumetric Weight for International Parcels
Sources checked
The scale gives your parcel’s actual weight. A carrier may also calculate a dimensional weight to account for the room the parcel takes up. On services that use the larger figure, a bulky box can move into a higher billing tier even if its contents are light. DHL Express uses an example divisor of 5,000 when dimensions are in centimeters and weight is expressed in kilograms. Check the divisor and rounding for your actual route. DHL Express on chargeable weight
Compare two boxes for the same order
Suppose either box weighs 2.4 kg on a scale. Using a divisor of 5,000, multiply the three dimensions in centimeters and divide by 5,000.
- A 45 × 32 × 24 cm box has a dimensional weight of 6.91 kg before carrier rounding.
- A 38 × 28 × 16 cm box has a dimensional weight of 3.40 kg before carrier rounding.
If your service bills by the higher weight, both boxes in this example would be billed by dimensional weight.
Check what was measured
- Ask whether the dimensions are for the sealed outer carton, including protective packing.
- If the estimate changed, ask for the scale weight, three outside measurements, divisor and billing tier. Compare them with the earlier quote one input at a time.
- When comparing packing options, keep enough protection for the contents. Requote with the dimensions the warehouse expects after packing.
For a current shipping quote, use the packed dimensions, scale weight and destination. HUBBUY shipping examples