Gross Weight
A basic tenet of shipping is that freight is rated on its
gross weight. Gross weight is simply the weight of the
product and its packaging. For example, the glass vase,
packing peanuts, carton, sealing tape and label combine to
make the gross weight.
Even when you attach your freight to skids or pallets for
ease of handling, pallet weight (which can be considerable
as anyone who has tossed them around a dock will testify)
must be included in the gross weight.
Net Weight
The weight of the product itself without packaging. (The
vase by itself.) Net weight is rarely a factor in shipping
unless a carton is overpacked and splits open. (Check the
seal on the bottom of a standard shipping carton for the
maximum weight the carton will hold safely.)
Tare Weight
Tare weight is the weight of an empty vehicle or container.
Normally not something that a shipper is concerned with but
it's a term everyone should know.
Volumetric Weight - Air freight
International airfreight shipments are usually rated per
pound or per kilogram. However, what the airlines are
really selling is space aboard the aircraft. Therefore,
they have a volumetric equivalent for shippers of
lightweight articles. Consider how much space 100 kgs of
ping pong balls would consume vs. 100 kgs of anvils.
International air shipments are figured on both the actual
gross weight and volumetric weight and rated at the higher
of the two. To determine volumetric weight for air:
Multiply length x width x height in inches and divide by
366. The result is the volumetric in kilograms.
Example: 20" x 20" x40" = 16,000 cu. inches
Divided by 366 = 43.7 (round up to 44 kilograms)
If the gross weight of the shipment is 35 kilograms, it
would be rated on the volumetric 44 kilograms. If the
actual gross weight is 50 kilograms, it would be rated at
50 kgs.
Weight/Measure ' Sea Freight
Many sea freight shipments are rated on a Full
Containerload (FCL) basis. However, Less-than-Containerload
(LCL) and the occasional FCL shipment are rated on a metric
"Weight/Measure" in most trades. This formula is based on 1
cubic meter (35.3147 cubic feet) versus 1,000 kilograms
(2,204.6 pounds), whichever yields the greater revenue to
the carrier. Let me save you some time. Unless your
shipment is extremely dense, it's going to go on Measure.
I've shipped tractor parts that went on Measure. Weight
basis shipments are rare.
Trucking Density Rates
Motor carriers also sell space on their trailer, even
though the rates are on a weight basis. Domestic LTL
(less-than-truckload) rates are usually charged per one
hundred pounds ("cwt"). However, think of those ping pong
balls again. Many trucking rates factor in density. Plastic
items and commodities of a similar nature have tiered rates
that are based upon the density of the product. The tariff
may read something along the lines of:
Plastic Items NOIBN (not otherwise indexed by number)
Density under 10 pounds per cubic foot
Rate $10.00/ cwt.
Plastic Items NOIBN Density 10 to 20 pounds per cubic foot,
Rate $8.50/ cwt
The difference between motor carrier density rates versus
air or sea volumetric rates is that the motor carrier
density rates apply only to select commodities. They're
universal in air and sea shipments.
GROSS MEASUREMENT
For air and sea freight, the LxWxH measurements are
stretched to the farthest point. For example, an automobile
length would stretch bumper tip to bumper tip. Therefore
it's advisable, whenever possible, to "square off" the
package. Say you're shipping a stove with a chimney
attachment. Remove the chimney before shipping and lay it
flat alongside or inside the stove. If you are shipping an
automobile, remove the radio antenna.
----------------------------------------------------
http://Howtoshipanything.com is and online resource
dedicated to help you ship both domestically and
internationally. W.E. Reinka, an international shipping
consultant, may be reached at
http://www.howtoshipanything.com/w-e-reinka/
No comments:
Post a Comment