Air Cargo Rates Calculator
Estimate air cargo chargeable weight, base freight, fuel surcharge, security charges and an overall freight budget.
Estimate air-freight chargeable weight and freight charges from shipment dimensions, actual weight, a carrier volumetric divisor and your quoted rate per kilogram.
Air cargo estimate
Air freight is not priced from scale weight alone. Airlines compare the shipment’s actual gross weight with its volumetric weight and generally rate the shipment on the higher figure. This calculator combines that chargeable-weight step with the rate and surcharges from your own freight quote.
How chargeable weight affects an air freight quote
The general IATA low-density cargo rule uses 6,000 cubic centimetres per kilogram. Add the cubic volume of the packages, divide by the applicable divisor, then compare the resulting volumetric weight with the actual gross weight. The higher figure becomes the starting chargeable weight before carrier rounding.
Express parcel services commonly use a different divisor, such as 5,000 cm³/kg. Some airlines, commodities, countries and contracts also use different rules. Use the custom divisor option when the quote or tariff gives you another value.
What the estimated rate includes
The calculator multiplies rounded chargeable kilograms by your quoted rate per kilogram, applies a minimum freight charge when entered, then adds the fuel percentage, security or screening rate and fixed charges you provide. This makes the result useful for reviewing a forwarder’s quote without pretending that one public rate applies to every route.
Costs that may still sit outside the result
Air freight pricing can also include pickup and delivery, terminal handling, storage, customs brokerage, duties, taxes, dangerous-goods charges, insurance, oversize fees and destination services. Add known fixed amounts here when appropriate, but confirm the final payable amount with the carrier or forwarder.
Air cargo volumetric-weight example
Two packages measuring 120 × 80 × 50 cm have 0.96 cubic metres of combined volume. At a 6,000 divisor their volumetric weight is 160 kg. If their combined scale weight is 150 kg, the shipment is rated from 160 kg before the carrier’s rounding and rate rules.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard air cargo volumetric divisor?
6,000 cm³/kg is the general IATA air-cargo rule for low-density cargo. Always verify the divisor in the actual tariff or quote because exceptions and carrier-specific rules exist.
Why is chargeable weight higher than actual weight?
Bulky cargo consumes aircraft space even when it is light. Volumetric weight converts that space into a billing weight so the carrier can compare volume with scale weight.
Does this calculator give live air freight market rates?
No. Air cargo rates change by origin, destination, airline, commodity, capacity, season and shipment size. Enter the rate and surcharges supplied by your forwarder or carrier.