Check whether weight or volume drives your air or ocean LCL freight quote before you ask a forwarder for rates.
Shipment comparison result
Ocean LCL is the first quote to check when cost saving matters more than transit time.
Cargo density
161.9 kg/m3
Cheaper by
$2,434.32
First quote to check
Ocean LCL
Estimated gap
$2,434.32
Difference
89%
Billing basis
Volumetric weight / CBM
Bulky cargo: volume is likely to drive billing. Recheck outer packaging before requesting rates.
Start with total packed CBM and gross weight, or calculate them from cartons below.
Use outside packed dimensions. Apply the result to the shipment totals when it looks right.
Calculated CBM
2.016 CBM
Calculated weight
672 kg
Enter simple quote assumptions to compare air chargeable weight with ocean revenue tons.
Share these numbers with a forwarder to reduce back-and-forth.
Air basis
701.4 kg
Volumetric weight
Ocean basis
4.2 RT
CBM
Air effective / kg
$3.91
Air freight
Ocean effective / RT
$74.05
Ocean LCL
Air volumetric
701.4 kg
Air chargeable
701.4 kg
Ocean base RT
4.2 RT
Ocean billable RT
4.2 RT
Cargo density
161.9 kg/m3
Dominant basis
Volume dominant
Estimated air freight
$2,745.32
Estimated ocean freight
$311.00
Practical read
Ocean LCL is the first quote to check when cost saving matters more than transit time.
Final quotes may add surcharges, pickup, customs, storage, fuel, and carrier minimum rules.
Air freight: Actual weight vs Volumetric weight
Ocean LCL: CBM vs Weight ton
Logistics planning notice
This tool is a planning aid only. Actual freight charges, customs treatment, chargeable weight, carrier rules, warehouse limits, and contractual terms must be confirmed with the carrier, forwarder, warehouse, or official shipping documents.
Save this result, compare previous runs, or share a report.
What to confirm
Air freight often bills the larger of actual weight and volumetric weight. Ocean LCL often compares CBM with metric tons to find the revenue ton. Seeing both together helps you prepare cleaner quote requests.
A revenue ton is a billing unit commonly used in LCL shipping where volume and weight are compared and the larger basis is billed.
It is a common benchmark, but carriers and forwarders can use different billing rules.
No. Use it for planning and quote preparation. Final pricing may include surcharges, pickup, customs, storage, dangerous goods, and minimum billing rules.
Practical cases
Review the conditions commonly missed in loading and freight comparisons.
Air is fast but volumetric weight can be high. Ocean is cheaper per unit but adds lead time and inventory financing. Compare total delivered cost and the cost of delay.
There is no universal CBM threshold. LCL adds CFS, minimum and per-RT charges, while FCL adds container, terminal and inland costs. Compare both on the same all-in landed basis.
Nominal cubic capacity alone can point to the wrong container. A realistic choice also checks internal dimensions, carton orientation, pallets, stack height, payload and door clearance.
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