Pricing & Surcharges
CBM (Cubic Metre)
A unit of volume used to price LCL ocean freight and calculate chargeable weight. Calculated as length × width × height in metres.
In depth
CBM, or cubic metre, is the standard volume measure in freight and the basis on which most LCL and air shipments are priced. It is calculated by multiplying length, width, and height in metres. Because carriers charge for the space a shipment occupies rather than only its weight, CBM is compared against actual weight to produce the chargeable weight, and the higher figure wins. Always measure the outer dimensions of the packed carton or pallet, including the pallet itself — using the product's dimensions instead of the packed dimensions is the most common cause of a quote being re-rated after collection.
Key points
- Length x width x height, all in metres
- The basis for LCL and air freight pricing
- Compared against actual weight to find the chargeable weight
- Measure packed dimensions including the pallet, not product dimensions