The container load refers to the volume of cargo that can be shipped in a standard shipping container, typically a 20-foot container, without exceeding its weight limit. The maximum weight of a standard 20-foot container is typically around 30,480 kg, although the exact weight limit may vary depending on the specific container and the cargo it is carrying. The container load is determined by the density of the cargo, as well as the size and weight of the individual packages. By carefully calculating the container load, shippers can ensure that they are maximizing the cargo capacity of each container and minimizing the number of containers needed to transport a given amount of cargo. This helps to reduce costs and improve the efficiency of the shipping process.
Actual Shipping Weight
The actual shipping weight of a shipment is the total weight of the cargo, including the weight of the crate or container in which it is shipped. If the packed crate is too heavy to be weighed on a scale, the weight of the contents can be determined separately and added to the weight of the crate to calculate the actual shipping weight. The weight of the crate can typically be obtained from the manufacturer. The actual shipping weight is important for determining the cost of shipping the cargo, as well as for ensuring that the weight of the shipment does not exceed the weight limits for the mode of transportation being used. By accurately calculating the actual shipping weight, shippers can ensure that their shipments are properly sized and priced, and that they can be safely transported without exceeding weight limits.
Dimensional Shipping Weight
Some shippers take the dimensions of the crates or containers into account when determining the shipping weight of a shipment. In these cases, a dimensional weight must be calculated to determine the shipping weight of the cargo. The dimensional weight is typically calculated using a formula that takes into account the height, width, and length of the crate or container. Different shippers may use different formulas for calculating the dimensional weight, so it is important to check with the specific shipper to determine the appropriate formula to use. For example, the formula used by FedEx is height x width x length measured in centimeters, divided by 5,000, to find the dimensional weight in kilograms. If the dimensional weight of a shipment is greater than the actual weight, the dimensional weight is used as the shipping weight for the cargo. The use of dimensional weight helps to ensure that the size of the cargo is taken into account when determining the cost of shipping, as well as the capacity of the transportation mode being used.