Glossary term
Chargeable Weight
The weight a shipment is billed on: the greater of its actual weight and its volumetric weight.
Carriers charge on whichever is greater, actual weight or volume converted to a weight by a formula. Light bulky cargo therefore pays for the space it occupies rather than the mass it has.
The conversion factor differs by mode and by carrier, so the same shipment can have different chargeable weights with different providers. See also dimensional weight.