The calculation, without hidden assumptions
Turn a forwarder rate sheet into transparent shipment math. MAXScanner first calculates actual and volumetric weight, chooses the larger planning chargeable weight, then applies only the rate, surcharge and fee assumptions you enter—no invented live lane price.
How to use this calculator
Measure the finished outside dimensions of one identical package and enter package quantity plus actual gross weight per package.
Use the volumetric divisor stated on the airline/forwarder quote; 6000 is prefilled as a common general-air planning convention, not a universal tariff.
Enter the quoted base rate per chargeable kg, then add only the fuel percentage, security rate, handling, documentation and minimum charge shown on your quote.
Compare actual and volumetric weight, inspect every substituted line, then reconcile the estimate against the forwarder quote for omitted accessorials, rounding and weight-break rules.
Where people use it
- •Audit the arithmetic in an air-freight quote before approval.
- •See whether carton volume or actual gross mass drives the chargeable weight.
- •Model a quoted fuel percentage and per-kg security fee without hiding them inside an all-in rate.
- •Test whether packaging changes reduce volumetric weight enough to change the estimated base freight.
10 cartons, 80 × 60 × 50 cm, 42 kg each
At divisor 6000, each carton is 40 kg volumetric, so 10 cartons are 400 kg volumetric versus 420 kg actual. Actual weight governs. At 4 currency units/kg, base freight is 1,680; a 12% fuel surcharge adds 201.60 before entered security, handling and documentation fees.
What the result does not assume
- •This is a quote-planning calculator, not a live airline or forwarder rate feed. Every monetary rate comes from you.
- •Divisors, dimension rounding, chargeable-weight increments, minimums, fuel/security treatment and weight breaks vary by airline, forwarder, lane, contract and date.
- •The estimate intentionally excludes duties, taxes, customs brokerage, pickup/delivery, storage, dangerous-goods handling and other accessorials unless you incorporate them into an entered fee after confirming the quote.
- •Currency is intentionally unitless: keep every entered monetary field in the same currency.
Frequently asked questions
How is air freight chargeable weight calculated?+
Compare total actual gross weight with total volumetric weight under the divisor in your quote and use the greater planning value. The applicable tariff can add rounding or weight-break rules.
Why is 6000 prefilled?+
A 6000 cm³/kg divisor is a common general-air convention and corresponds to about 166.67 kg per cubic metre. It is editable because contracts and services vary.
Does this calculator know today’s air freight rate?+
No. Rates are lane-, date-, capacity-, commodity- and contract-specific. Enter the rate from your current forwarder or airline quote.
What does the minimum charge do?+
It acts as a floor: if the calculated base plus entered fees is below the minimum you entered, the minimum becomes the estimate.
Should fuel surcharge apply to every fee?+
Not automatically. This model applies the entered fuel percentage to base freight only so the assumption is explicit. Follow the quote if its surcharge basis differs.
Is this the same as a dimensional-weight calculator?+
No. Dimensional weight stops at the billable-weight comparison. This tool continues into user-entered air-freight rate and fee arithmetic.
Semantic next steps
Continue the calculation
These links move to a different input, formula or project stage rather than a keyword variation of this page.
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Keep the result connected to the real job
MAXScanner keeps the formula and assumptions beside the result so you can verify the number before using it in a drawing, estimate, specification, worksheet or document. Where a supplier, manufacturer, drawing or applicable standard owns a requirement, that source remains authoritative.