Measure a shipment before comparing freight quotations

Measure the packed shipment

Measure the goods as they will be handed to the carrier, including the outer packaging and any pallet. Record the longest outside dimensions rather than a product’s internal size. Keep net product weight separate from gross packed weight. For mixed cartons, create one row for each package size instead of forcing every package into an average dimension.

Record the measurement unit beside every number. A dimension in centimetres cannot be multiplied directly with one in metres. Convert the dimensions to a consistent unit first and retain the original measurements for review. Re-measure a sample after export packaging is finalized, especially when protective inserts or pallet overhang change the footprint.

• Use length, width, and height of the outside package.
• Keep package count and gross weight separate.
• Measure irregular loads at their maximum outer extent.

Calculate cubic volume

Volume in cubic metres is length multiplied by width multiplied by height after converting each dimension to metres. For ten cartons measuring 60 by 40 by 30 centimetres, one carton occupies 0.072 cubic metres and the group occupies 0.72 cubic metres. Sum the groups to obtain total measured CBM.

CBM is a measurement, not a complete freight price or a promise that a particular container can accept the cargo. Packing arrangement, door openings, weight distribution, stackability, and handling restrictions can affect usable capacity. Tell the forwarder when goods cannot be stacked, must stay upright, or require unusual handling.

Understand chargeable weight

Some services price a shipment using whichever is greater: actual weight or a dimensional-weight calculation. DHL’s published help illustrates length multiplied by width multiplied by height divided by a volumetric divisor. The correct divisor and rounding approach depend on the carrier and service, so confirm them in the quotation instead of treating one setting as universal.

For a carton measuring 60 by 40 by 30 centimetres and an assumed divisor of 5,000, the dimensional weight is 14.4 kilograms. If it actually weighs 10 kilograms, that dimensional figure is the larger planning value before service-specific rounding. Changing the divisor changes the result; preserve the setting with the calculation.

Turn measurements into a useful quote request

Give each forwarder the same origin and destination, shipment date, package groups, gross weight, commodity description, declared value, and delivery responsibilities. Include any batteries, liquids, temperature needs, or handling limitations so the provider can ask the appropriate follow-up questions. Ask for exclusions and destination charges as well as the headline transport price.

Use Traderoz’s CBM and chargeable-weight tools to prepare the measurement summary. Attach it to the RFQ and compare quotations only after checking that they cover the same services. When goods are collected, retain the final measured or billed figures and investigate material differences before using the estimate for another shipment.

• Confirm the carrier’s divisor and rounding rules.
• Keep a dated measurement summary with each request.
• Update the packing list when package counts or sizes change.