| CBM in LCL | Volume Calculator | W/M - Weight or Measurement | CBM in FCL | CBM in RO-RO |

About the CUBIC METER & W/M = Weight or Measurement

We found that people sometimes miss understand meaning of cubic meter. This page is created to help.

• One cubic meter is a considerably large volume
• A cubic meter is a measurement of volume, equal to space that is one meter wide, one meter long, and one meter high.
• One metric meter = 3.28 metric feet
• ONE CUBIC METER = 35 CUBIC FEET

This image from www.wikipedia.org should help you get a picture of one cubic meter

A cubic meter is something 1 meter long by 1 meter wide by 1 meter high
(or 3.28 feet long by 3.28 feet wide by 3.28 feet high)

• 1m * 1m * 1m = 1 CUBIC METER
• 3.28ft * 3.28ft * 3.28ft = 35 CUBIC FEET = 1 CUBIC METER

Technically cubic meter could be any combination of lengths as long as all three dimensions multiplied together equals 1.

• 0.5m * 0.5m * 4m = 1 CUBIC METER
• 5ft * 7ft * 1ft = 35 CUBIC FEET = 1 CUBIC METER

CUBIC METER IN THE OCEAN FREIGHT
 

I. Cubic Meter in LCL (Less than Container Load)

Besides the price, the advantage of shipping sizable cargo using LCL (Less than Container Load) seafreight service is because WEIGHT OF CARGO IS NOT A PRICING FACTOR (this statement is not valid for extremely heavy cargo. Find about W/M limitations below).   

Unlike with a parcel service or airfreight, LCL ocean freight rates are primarily based on volume not on weight. Charges will be based on a rate per cubic meter, not on weight in kilos or pounds. When calculate LCL ocean freight do not worry about weight of your cargo. Just disregard it.

These pictures should give you an idea on how shipping boxes fit to cubic meter.           

Notice: YOUR CARGO VOLUME DOES NOT HAVE TO BE LIMITED TO ONE CUBIC METER. The total volume will be derived as a sum of volumes of your shipping units including fractions. For example:

You may ship any volume and a wide variety of boxes. You can mix and match boxes of any size. You can ship boxes, crates, luggage or any other freight properly packaged and labeled for shipping purposes.

Use this Volume Calculator in order to calculate total volume of your shipping units: 

Notice: This Volume Calculator does not reflect W/M - Weight or Measurement. It does not reflect extra volume that may appear due to palletizing (read about palletizing in our website). It calculates straight sum of volumes of shipping units being shipped loose.

W/M = Weight or Measurement

W/M is the acronym for Weight or Measurement, which ever is higher. W/M presents cargo density limit. I.e. light cargo is charged based on measure, while heavy cargo based on weight. W/M may differ among carriers.

Shippers should be aware of CHARGEABLE WEIGHT AND CHARGEABLE VOLUME (WM) definitions used in different modes of cargo transportation. In respect of Ocean and Inland modes the meanings of WM are:

OCEAN MODE OF TRANSPORTATION: Since vessel capacity is not really limited by weight of cargo but by the hold of the ship, then charges for regular ocean shipments are based on the total cargo volume. In general for sea shipments, the weight of the cargo is not a pricing factor.

However there is a cargo density limit if WM ocean freight rates are present. It varies depending on the carrier, origin and destination, etc. Regular shipments most likely will not exceed the limit. In general exporters have to be aware of the “U.S. 45 lbs rule”, 45 lbs = 1 cubic foot. This means that if the density of the cargo exceeds 45 lbs per one cubic foot, then chargeable volume will be calculated using this formula: Total Weight of the cargo (in pounds) divided by 45 lbs = Chargeable Volume in cubic feet. The limit of 1 cubic meter = 750 kilos can be used as well. However depending on carrier, origin and destination etc, it may vary: 1 cbm = 500 kilos; 1 cbm = 1000 kilos etc. The exporter should be advised about WM by the carrier when making the booking.

INLAND MODE OF TRANSPORTATION (Pickup or Line-haul charges): WM for Inland Trucking is more heavily restricted then in the Ocean mode and subject to actual or dimensional weight verification. In U.S. chargeable weight for Inland Trucking will be calculated using this formula: Chargeable Weight in Pounds = Actual Weight of the Cargo OR (Length x Width x Height in inches) divided by 194, whichever is greater.

If WM rules apply then it should be indicated in our documents for each shipment.  

II. Cubic Meter in FCL (Full Container Load)

As a rule rates with FCL - Full Container Load are based on type on container not on weight or volume. In respect of the cubic meter shipper should be aware of CUBIC CAPACITIES AND PAYLOADS of containers to be shipped.
 

Here are cubic capacities and payloads for mostly common used intermodal seafreight containers:

• 20’ STANDARD
  Cubic Capacity: 33.0 cbm (1,165 cubic ft)
  Payload* :22,100 kg (48,721 lbs)
  
• 40’ STANDARD
  Cubic Capacity: 67.3 cbm (2,377 cubic ft)
  Payload*: 27,397 kg (60,401 lbs)
  
• 40’ HIGH CUBE
  Cubic Capacity: 76.0 cbm (2,684 cubic ft)
  Payload*: 29,600 kg (65,256 lbs)

*Payload weight exceeds over-the-road legal limits in US and Canada. Recommended maximum payload for the US and Canada is 35,000 lbs per 20' and 42,000 lbs per 40'.

III. Cubic Meter in RO-RO (Roll On/Roll Off)

Rates with Ro-Ro are based on cubic meter or cubic foot and type of vehicle. Than bigger vehicle then rate is higher.

Total ocean freight will be calculated as a total volume of your vehicle in cubic meters or cubic feet multiplied to the rate per cubic meter or cubic foot.

Exemptions can be rates for shipping cars Ro-Ro. It can be a lump sum per vehicle depending on its size. For example: Cars up to 600 cubic feet of total volume and up to 1.6 meters high - $1,300 lump sum + BAF & CAF etc. However, that “lump sum” rate is initially based on range of volume in cubic meters or cubic feet as well.