Density

In foreign trade, 'density' refers to the mass per unit volume of cargo, commonly measured in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³) or grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³). It directly affects transportation costs, storage space, and freight calculations. Especially in sea less-than-container load (LCL) and air freight, density is a key indicator for determining whether cargo is charged by weight or by volume. For example, in sea LCL, if 1 cubic meter of cargo weighs more than 1 ton (i.e., density greater than 1000 kg/m³), it is charged by weight ton; otherwise, by volume ton. In air freight, volumetric weight is often compared with actual weight, and low-density light cargo is charged by volumetric weight. Note: Different transport modes have different density thresholds; for air freight, cargo below 167 kg per cubic meter is generally considered light cargo. Additionally, density affects container loading efficiency: high-density cargo may exceed weight limits, while low-density cargo may waste space. Unlike 'specific gravity', density has units while specific gravity does not; unlike 'volumetric weight', density is an inherent property of cargo, while volumetric weight is a calculated billing value. Foreign trade practitioners need to accurately provide cargo density to avoid freight disputes and loading risks.