CBM Calculator & Shipping
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Comprehensive Guide to Using a CBM Calculator for Shipping
Learn how to effectively use a CBM calculator to determine the cubic meter (CBM) of your shipments. This guide explains the significance of CBM in shipping and provides step-by-step instructions on how to calculate your shipment’s volume.
Free Quotation within 24Hours ! What is CBM in Shipping?
CBM, or Cubic Meter, is a standard unit of measurement used globally in shipping to determine the volume of cargo. This measurement is calculated by multiplying the length, width, and height of your shipment. CBM is crucial because it dictates how much space your cargo will take up in a container, truck, or aircraft, thus affecting the shipping cost. CBM is applicable across all shipping methods—air, sea, rail and road.
CBM Meaning in Shipping Terms
CBM stands for Cubic Meter, which is the most commonly used unit to measure the volume of shipments. Essentially, CBM measures how much space a package or cargo occupies in a container or plane. Knowing the CBM of your cargo is vital for determining shipping costs and choosing the right shipping method.
Step-by-Step Guide to Calculating CBM
Number of Units: How is the quantity of items you’re shipping.
Dimensions (L×W×H per unit): Provide the dimensions of each unit in centimeters.
Weight (per unit): Add the weight in kilograms for each unit.
Add More Loads: Optional step for adding more items to your calculation.
Calculate Volume: Review your total volume after inputting all necessary data.
How to Calculate CBM
Calculating CBM is straightforward:
Select Measurement Unit: Choose between metric or imperial.
Input Unit Details: Fill in the number of units and their dimensions.
Get Instant Volume: The calculator provides your total volume immediately.
How to Calculate CBM for Air Shipment?
For air freight, CBM is also used to calculate costs, but the charge is based on either actual weight or volumetric weight (CBM x DIM factor), whichever is higher. The DIM factor for air freight is typically 1:6000, meaning 1 CBM = 6000 kg.
How to Calculate CBM for Sea Shipment?
In sea freight, CBM is used mostly for Less than Container Load (LCL) shipments. If your cargo weighs less than 1 ton (1000 kg), shipping charges are usually based on CBM. However, if the cargo weighs more than 1 ton, charges are calculated based on weight.
CBM for Full Container Types
Understanding the CBM capacity of different containers is crucial for planning your shipment, whether you’re using a 20ft, 40ft, or 45ft container. Below are the standard sizes and CBM capacities for the most common container types.
20ft Container CBM:
20′ Dry Container: 33.2 CBM (L: 5.9m, W: 2.3m, H: 2.3m, Payload: 28130 kg)
20′ Reefer Container: 28.1 CBM (L: 5.4m, W: 2.3m, H: 2.1m, Payload: 29140 kg)
20′ Open Top: 32.5 CBM (L: 5.9m, W: 2.3m, H: 2.3m, Payload: 30050 kg)
40ft Container CBM:
40′ Dry Container: 67.7 CBM (L: 12m, W: 2.4m, H: 2.4m, Payload: 28750 kg)
40′ Reefer HC: 67.7 CBM (L: 11.6m, W: 2.3m, H: 2.4m, Payload: 29580 kg)
40′ Open Top: 66.8 CBM (L: 12m, W: 2.3m, H: 2.4m, Payload: 28450 kg)
45ft High Cube Container CBM:
45′ Standard HC: 86 CBM (L: 13.5m, W: 2.3m, H: 2.7m, Payload: 27700 kg)
Why Understanding CBM is Crucial:
Dimensional Weight: For light but bulky packages, CBM helps calculate dimensional weight, influencing the chargeable weight.
Chargeable Weight: Particularly in air freight, where cost is sensitive to both size and weight, CBM can determine whether dimensional or actual weight is charged.
Freight Class: In trucking, CBM can affect freight classification, impacting shipping costs.
Free Quotation within 24Hours ! Essential Guide to CBM to KG Conversion for Different Shipping Modes
Shipping Mode
CBM Calculation
Weight Consideration
Cost Basis
CBM to KG Conversion
Sea Shipment (LCL)
Length x Width x Height (m³)
Charges based on CBM if < 1 ton, based on weight if > 1 ton
$40 per CBM or per ton
1 CBM = 1000 kg
Air Shipment
Length x Width x Height (cm) / 6000
Charges based on actual weight or volumetric weight (higher value)
$200 per ton (based on higher weight)
1 CBM ≈ 167 kg
Rail Freight
Length x Width x Height (m³)
Charges often based on volume-to-weight conversion
Varies by provider
1 CBM = 500 kg
Road Freight
Length x Width x Height (m³)
Charges often based on volume-to-weight conversion
Varies by provider
1 CBM = 333 kg
Understanding the conversion from cubic meters (CBM) to kilograms (KG) is indispensable across various shipping modes. This conversion helps optimize cost and space efficiency, crucial for planning and budgeting in logistics.
Key Points:
Sea Shipment (LCL): CBM is essential for determining shipping costs, especially important for cargoes weighing less than 1 ton.
Air Shipment: A DIM factor of 1:6000 is used to calculate the volumetric weight, and the cost is based on the higher of the actual or volumetric weight.
Rail and Road Freight: Both modes use a specific volume-to-weight ratio to standardize charges, with rail typically having a higher conversion factor than road.
Ocean Freight Conversion
Standard Conversion: In ocean freight, 1 CBM is generally equivalent to 1,000 kg.
Application: This ratio simplifies calculations for Less than Container Load (LCL) shipments, allowing shippers to estimate costs based on volume.
Air Freight Conversion
Volumetric Weight Formula: For air cargo, the calculation is more nuanced due to the space that cargo occupies being as crucial as the weight. The formula used is:
Length (cm) × Width (cm) × Height (cm)÷6000=Volumetric Weight (KG)
Length (cm) × Width (cm) × Height (cm)÷6000=Volumetric Weight (KG)
Use Case: This method ensures that shippers are charged fairly for lightweight, bulky cargo. It reflects the space taken up in an aircraft, balancing cost with cargo density.
Rail Freight Conversion
Simplified Metric: In rail freight, the conversion is slightly different with 1 CBM being equivalent to 500 kg.
Practical Use: This conversion is crucial for planning rail shipments, especially when dealing with bulk goods that may not be heavy but occupy significant space.
By mastering these CBM to KG conversions for different shipping modes, logistics professionals can make informed decisions that lead to more efficient and cost-effective shipping operations. Understanding these conversions allows for better utilization of cargo space and optimized freight costs, aligning with the logistical and budgetary requirements of modern commerce.
Free Quotation within 24Hours ! Maximizing Shipping Containers Using CBM
Accurately calculated CBM can help you optimize how products are packed into shipping containers. Understanding CBM is essential for efficient loading and cost management.
Container Capacity Estimates:
20′ Container: Holds approximately 26-28 CBM up to a maximum of 33 CBM.
40′ and 45′ HC Containers: These larger containers can hold more, and understanding their capacity can significantly impact shipping efficiency.
You can read this guide to understand container dimension for different shipping containers.
Mastering the use of CBM calculations will streamline your shipping processes, ensuring you utilize space effectively and manage costs efficiently.
Further reading
AMAZON FBA BOX SIZE LIMIT – How to choose the right size For your Products
What are the most common way to send money to China
Shipping Knowledge Guideline in AIR | SEA | Rail Freight
Unleashing Freight Calculators: A Comprehensive Guide to Optimizing Your Shipping Costs
Import Customs Duties Comprehensive Guide
FAQ
What is CBM?
CBM stands for Cubic Meter, which is the unit of measurement used to quantify the volume of a shipment in both domestic and international freight. It is calculated by multiplying the length, width, and height of the shipment. While it might sound complex, using a CBM calculator simplifies this process significantly, providing a quick and straightforward way to determine the volume of your goods.
Why is CBM Important in Shipping?
CBM is crucial for several reasons in the shipping industry:
Dimensional Weight: This is a standard calculated for bulky yet lightweight shipments. For instance, a large pallet of ping pong balls takes up significant space but is light, potentially leading to higher shipping costs based on volume rather than actual weight. CBM helps determine this dimensional weight.
Chargeable Weight: This refers to the weight that freight carriers charge for, which could be either the actual weight or the dimensional weight, whichever is greater. For air freight, where space is at a premium, dimensional weight often becomes the chargeable weight.
In the Shipping world, freight class can impact shipping costs, especially for less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping. CBM plays a role in determining the appropriate freight class for a shipment, which is usually based on weight but can also consider size for large, lightweight items.
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