Volumetric weight

Volumetric weight, also known as dimensional weight, is a measurement used by shipping companies to determine how much space a package will take up in their shipping vehicle. This measurement is contrasted with the actual weight of the package, which is the physical weight obtained by placing the package on a scale.

Shipping companies use the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight to calculate shipping cost. This value may vary depending on the transport company and/or the service selected.

Formula to calculate the volumetric weight

Length * Width * Height / (package weight factor).

💡Important note. The weight factor is established by each carrier. You can find the one that uses a specific service by selecting the carrier on envia.com / paqueterias

Example

For example, if you have a box of 50 cm long, 40 cm wide and 30 cm tall, and the weight factor is 5000, the calculation of the volumetric weight would be:

(50 cm * 40 cm * 30 cm) / 5000 = 12 kg.

In this case, although the actual weight of the box is 10 kg, the transport company will charge as if it weighed 12 kg due to the space it takes up in your vehicle. Therefore, volumetric weight is a crucial factor to consider when calculating shipping costs.