How to calculate CBM & Freight Ton

One of the most common questions i get asked is how to calculate CBM, specially by those clients who get charged per Freight Ton (weight or volume whichever is higher)..

Firstly CBM stands for CuBic Meter.. This is the most common unit used for the measurement of volumetric cargo..

When you have the dimensions of the package, first of all convert the measurement into meters.. Normally dimensions are in Length x Width x Height..

If for example the dimensions are 3.2 x 1.2 x 2.2 meters then the CBM is simply 3.2 x 1.2 x 2.2 = 8.448 cbm..

As mentioned above if the rate is quoted as for example Usd.12/per freight ton and the weight of the package is 1200 kgs = 1.2 tons, then the freight rate for this will be

8.448 cbm x Usd.12 = Usd.101.376 or

1.2 tons x Usd.12 = Usd.14.4

Since the cbm rate is higher, the freight rate of Usd.101.376 will apply..

For easy conversion of anything to anything – pls refer to http://www.onlineconversion.com/

16 thoughts on “How to calculate CBM & Freight Ton

  1. i want to know the computation of each freight charges for three invoices with
    different supplier & different total amount which loaded in one container. the
    total freight charges is 40,500 USD.

  2. how big the size 1 CBM in length x width x high. does look different with meter and centimeter? thank you.

  3. Hi Noel, CBM is the cubic meter which is the unit of measurement of the volume.. RT = Revenue Ton which is the freight rate calculated basis rate per ton or cbm whichever is higher.. Example if the freight is Usd.15/RT and the cargo weighs 10 tons and measures 12 cbm, then the freight charged would be Usd.15 x 12 cbm.. Trust this is clear..

  4. now i understand…..till date im just wondering how sale manager calculation frieght charges.

    thank you so much

  5. what if my freight forwarder provides a rate only per cbm. Is there any calculation to convert weight to cbm

  6. so do i need to measure every single box if different sizes? then how to take average? please advise. thanks in advance.

  7. HI,

    please assist,if i what to carry 2 tons of woven bags whose length,width and height is 57,25,50CM and the shipper quote 450 usd./CBM + DOC USD. 22/SET
    THANKS

    OLANIYI

  8. Kindly provide DDP and DDU, calculation as comparison for any example of ur choice

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