In foreign trade, Measurement/Volume refers to the space occupied by cargo, typically measured in cubic meters (CBM). Together with weight, it forms the basis for calculating freight charges. Especially in LCL sea freight and air freight, volumetric weight is often compared with actual weight, and the greater one is used for billing. Usage scenarios include: quotation, booking, container loading, freight calculation, and warehousing fees. Notes: Different transport modes have different volume-to-weight conversion ratios (e.g., air freight 1 CBM = 167 KGS, LCL sea freight 1 CBM = 1000 KGS), so the carrier's standard must be confirmed; when measuring, the outer carton dimensions after packing must be considered, and net volume should be distinguished from gross volume. The difference from 'weight' is that volume reflects space occupation while weight reflects cargo mass, and together they determine the chargeable weight. Unlike 'capacity,' which usually refers to the internal volume a container can hold, volume refers to the space occupied by the cargo itself.
📝 Examples
1. The total volume of this shipment is 5.6 cubic meters. According to the LCL company's billing standard, we will charge sea freight based on 6 cubic meters. (Note: Rounding up volume is a common practice in LCL shipments.)
2. Please provide the volume and gross weight of each carton so that we can calculate the chargeable weight for air freight, because the volumetric weight may be higher than the actual weight. (Note: In air freight, the greater of volumetric weight and actual weight is used for billing.)
💡 Foreign Trade Tips
Foreign trade terms are the foundation of international business communication
Trade practices may vary slightly by country; pay attention when using them
When using terms in contracts, specify the applicable version (e.g., Incoterms 2020)
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