Buzz
No matter which shipping service you choose, the shipping cost will depend on the size of your package. To ensure that the shipping cost is accurately calculated, you must know the exact dimensions of the package you want to send. Use a precise measuring tape or ruler to measure the length, width, and height of the package. Once you have these measurements, you can use them to calculate other factors like the overall size and volumetric weight, which may also contribute to the total weight used for shipping calculations.
Steps
Measuring the Dimensions of a Standard Package
Start by identifying the longest side of the package. Use a tape measure or a ruler to measure along this side from one end to the other. Record the measurement and round it to the nearest inch (approximately 2.5 cm).
- Be sure to jot down your measurements on a piece of paper for future reference.
- The length will typically be the largest measurement of most packages.
- Many shipping companies only accept packages up to certain size limits, which are often rounded to the nearest inch.
Measure the Width by Using a Perpendicular Ruler. Width is the distance from one "side" of the short edge to the opposite side. Use a ruler to measure from one edge to the other, and round the measurement to the nearest inch.
- A small margin of error is acceptable here, as width and height do not need to be perfectly accurate. Even if there's a slight difference, it won't significantly affect the final result.
Hold the Ruler Vertically to Measure the Height. Measure the height of the box from the bottom to the top (or vice versa). Round the measurement to the nearest inch, as with the previous measurements.
- Common RSC cardboard boxes (the most popular shipping box type) have two equal sides, meaning either side can be the top or bottom.
- For most parcels, the height is usually the smallest measurement.
Tip:If your parcel has an irregular shape, you can measure it like a standard rectangular box: measure the length, width, and height at the farthest points of each side.
Double the Width and Height, Then Add Them Together to Find the Perimeter of the Parcel. Look at the measurements you've recorded, double the width and height, then add them together. The result will be the estimated perimeter of your parcel.
- If your parcel measures 30 cm long, 10 cm wide, and 15 cm high, doubling the width and height gives you 20 cm and 30 cm, and adding them together gives you 50 cm.
- The term "perimeter" refers to the total length around the longest part of the parcel.
- The length is not included in the perimeter calculation. The perimeter is only for the shortest edges of the package.
Add the Length and Perimeter to Get the Overall Dimensions of the Parcel. Sometimes you will be asked to provide the overall dimensions of your parcel when shipping via ground transport. To find the overall dimensions, simply add the length and perimeter measurements together. The result will give you the approximate size of the parcel, which helps with packing and shipping.
- Add the 30 cm length to the perimeter measurement in the example above, and you'll get an overall dimension of 80 cm.
- If your parcel is larger than 330 cm, you may incur an additional handling fee for oversized packages. Most shipping services do not accept parcels longer than 420 cm.
Calculate Volumetric Weight
Measure the Length, Width, and Height of the Parcel. Use a straight ruler or measuring tape to measure the longest side, shortest side, and the height of the parcel. Round the measurements to the nearest inch and write them down.
- When calculating the volumetric weight, you don't need to know which measurement corresponds to which side – what's important is that all measurements are as accurate as possible.
- Note that the volumetric weight calculation uses the imperial measurement system, not the metric system. (To use the metric system formulas, replace 166 with 5000.)
Multiply the Length, Width, and Height to Find the Cubic Size. The cubic size is essentially the volume, or the amount of space inside the parcel. For instance, if your parcel measures 12 inches (30 cm) long, 8 inches (20 cm) wide, and 4 inches (10 cm) high, the cubic size would be 384 inches (580 cm).
- Some shipping companies may use the term "volume" instead of "cubic size."
Divide the Cubic Size by the Appropriate Divisor to Find the Volumetric Weight. Shipping rates depend not only on the size of the parcel but also on the destination. For domestic shipments within the U.S. or Puerto Rico, divide the cubic size by 166. For international shipments, divide the cubic size by 139.
- With the cubic size from the example above, the volumetric weight would be 2.31 for domestic shipping and 2.76 for international shipping.
- Do not round the volumetric weight. It must be exact for accurate shipping cost calculations.
Weigh the Parcel Using a Postal Scale to Determine the Actual Weight. Place the parcel on the scale and wait for the reading. Make sure to record the exact weight, as you will compare it with the volumetric weight to determine the shipping cost.
- If you don't have a postal scale, you can weigh the parcel at the post office.
Tip: If you frequently ship parcels, investing in a postal scale will save you time and effort. Good quality postal scales are available online for just around $20-30 USD.
Compare the Actual Weight of the Parcel with Its Volumetric Weight. If the volumetric weight is greater than the actual weight, the volumetric weight will be considered as the "chargeable weight," meaning you will pay shipping costs based on this weight. Many shipping companies use the higher of the two values to determine the chargeable weight in order to maximize their profit per shipment.
- It is crucial to know both the actual and volumetric weight of the parcel, as volumetric weight is only an estimate, not an exact measurement.
- Typically, shipping costs are based on volumetric weight, which is calculated from the length, width, and height of the parcel. However, unusually heavy parcels are often priced based on their actual weight.
Tip
- If you're using the manufacturer's or shipping company's custom packaging, pay attention to the markings on the box to ensure you're measuring the correct sides.
- Each shipping service has its own guidelines and regulations for package dimensions and weight. Be sure to check the shipping provider's cost calculation rules to determine the most cost-effective shipping method for you.
What You Need
- Straight ruler or tape measure
- Postal scale (optional)
