Helpful Freight Tools

Weight Conversion Tool

We provide a handy, easy-to-use weight conversion tool to our clients and prospective clients. Instead of only making it available here (our Tools page), we have decided that it would be much more useful being on every page!

So look out for our Weight Converter on the right-hand side of each page below the menu.

Dimensional Weight

Determining Weight, Dimensions, Cubic Inches and Girth

Actual Weight – The weight of a package using a standard scale rounded to the next full pound (Example: a 12 1/2 pound carton will have an “actual weight” of 13 pounds).

Dimensional Weight – calculation used to reflect a package’s density. Most carriers use the International Air Transport Association (IATA) volumetric standards (subject to change without notice). This standard is used for all international shipments, even those in packaging provided by carriers

  • For International Air Express Shipments – Multiply the carton’s dimensions (length x width x height) and divide the cubic inches by the dimensional weight factor of 166 if measured in inches. If measured in centimeters divide by 6,000 for a dimensional weight in kilos. Divide kilos by 2.20462 to convert to pounds.
  • For Domestic USA Air Express Shipments – Multiply the carton’s dimensions (length x width x height) and divide the cubic inches by the dimensional weight factor of 194 if measured in inches. If measured in centimeters divide by 6,000 for a dimensional weight in kilos. Divide kilos by 2.20462 to convert to pounds.
  • Example: a carton with the dimensions of 30″(L) x 20″(W) x 20″(H) = 12,000 cubic inches, divided by 166 = 72.2 pounds for a “dimensional weight” of 73 pounds (always round to the next full pound).
DIMENSIONAL WEIGHT =
Length x Width x Height = Cubic Inches
166 (International)


Chargeable Weight – Weight (actual or dimensional – whichever is greater) used in calculating shipping charges. (Example: the actual weight of a package is 15 pounds and the dimensional weight is 25 pounds the chargeable weight will be 25 pounds.) Note: Failure to record the weight of a shipment on the waybill may result in a default weight being applied.

Volume – calculation used to determine the three-dimensional space the carton occupies: length x width x height measured in cubic inches or cubic centimetres.

Length or Girth

  • Length – is the largest dimension of the carton or object being shipped. For example, if the package is very tall (height is greater than the base) use the height as the length.
  • Girth – is the sum of 2 times the width plus 2 times the height or the measurement around the largest area of the cylinder (see illustration).

Dimensions


Filing Electronic Export Information – EEI (SED)

The Census Bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) issued on June 2, 2008 revised export regulations that became effective July 2, 2008 requiring that all Electronic Export Information (EEI; formerly known as the Shippers Export Declaration) must be filed and accepted in the Automated Export System (AES) two hours before scheduled flight departure.

An Electronic Export Information (EEI) Filing (formerly known as SED) is required when:

  1. An individual Schedule B/HTS item (or group of the same items) value exceeds US$2500 to all foreign destinations (except to Canada); or
  2. An individual Schedule B/HTS item(or group of the same items) value exceeds US$2500 for shipment being shipped as follows:
    • from the U.S. to Puerto Rico;
    • from Puerto Rico to the U.S.;
    • from the U.S. or Puerto Rico to the U.S. Virgin Islands;
    • trans-shipped through or for storage in Canada, but ultimately destined to a third country;
    • exported under Carnets; or
  3. A shipment (regardless of value) is transported under an export license issued by the applicable U.S. Government agency (e.g., Dept of State, Dept of Commerce, etc.) including Canada destinations and including Carnets; or
  4. A shipment (regardless of value) is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) , including shipments exempt from licensing requirements and including shipments to Canada; or
  5. A shipment (regardless of value) contains rough diamonds (under Schedule B#’s 7102.10, 7102.21 and 7102.31, including shipments to Canada; or
  6. A shipment (regardless of value) is destined to a U.S. Department of Commerce authorized Validated End User (VEU)