Freight weight is also known as dimensional weight and volume weight, typically used in parcel deliveries.
Freight weight is used when a shipment is priced based on the space it occupies rather than its actual weight. Freight weight is commonly used by freight carriers like DB Schenker, and both Posti and Matkahuolto use volumetric weight pricing. For example, in Matkahuolto's parcel deliveries, packages are priced based on volumetric weight when their size exceeds 0.07 cubic meters.
Billing is always based on the weight or volume reported by the carrier.
Parcel Deliveries
For parcel deliveries, volumetric weight is typically calculated using 250kg/m3, please note that carriers may have their own formulas for calculating volumetric weight, so the billable weight may vary by carrier.
For domestic parcel deliveries, you can calculate the volumetric weight using the following formula for Posti, Matkahuolto, and DB Schenker parcel services.
Lengthwidthheight m * 250kg/m3
Examples:
For a 20x20x20 cm package, calculate the volumetric weight as follows: 0.2x0.2x0.2*250 = 2 kg
So assuming your package has an actual weight of 1kg, the carrier may charge the shipment based on 2 kg if the shipment is subject to volumetric weight charging.
Conversely, if a package weighs 5kg and is 20x20x20cm, it will be charged based on the actual weight of 5 kg.
A bigger surprise often comes when, for example, a 40x40x40cm package has a volumetric weight of 16 kg
Carriers have different formulas for charging volumetric weight/dimensional weight, so it's good to clarify these well in advance when comparing prices between carriers.
Examples:
Carrier A charging method -> A 1kg package of 40x40x40 cm would be 40x40x40/5000 = 12.8 kg -> 13 kg. Or 0.4x0.4x0.4*200 = 12.8 kg -> 13 kg. Conversely, if a package's actual weight is 3 kg at 20x20x20cm, the shipment is billed based on 3 kg.
Domestic Pallet Shipments
A half pallet 80x60cm occupies 0.2 loading meters and thus has a calculated freight weight of 370 kg. EUR-pallet 120x80cm 0.4 ldm-> 740 kg and FIN-pallet 0.5 ldm 925kg
Loading meter calculation example for EUR-pallet: 1.2 x 0.8 / 2.4 = 0.4 ldm. The shipment can be 220cm high if the carrier accepts this height and will be billed based on 800 kg, if the actual weight exceeds 800 kg the price goes by kg.
Please note that even if the shipment is packed on an EUR-pallet, if the shipment extends beyond the pallet, the freight weight is calculated based on the outermost dimensions and can significantly increase the shipment price, as this part of the shipment often makes it unstackable.
When a shipment is determined to be unstackable, it is priced according to loading meters, e.g., an unstackable FIN-pallet has a freight weight of 1 loading meter -> 1850 kg.
When does a pallet become unstackable
The pallet is not evenly stacked or collapses when stacked
The pallet is over 120cm high
The shipment is ADR-classified
It must be possible to stack on top of the shipment and the shipment must be able to be loaded on top of another pallet. For example, ATVs and various machines should be packed in wooden crates to be suitable for stackable shipping.
Please note that the carrier always has the right to adjust the freight weight if the declared shipment details differ from the actual.
For international and domestic shipments, carriers often have different methods of calculating freight weight.