How to Calculate the Costs for LCL Sea Freight

When calculating the sea freight for consignments in consolidated containers (Less Than Container Load), the volume/weight ratio (w/m - tonne to cubic metre) is always taken as the basis and the higher factor is used in each case.

The costs per shipment are calculated on the basis of the shipment details of the goods ready for shipment according to the information provided by the sender.

The Calculation Using an Example With the Following Key Data

Length: 63 cm

Width: 45 cm

Height: 58 cm

Number of packages: 50

Individual weight: 10 kg (gross weight)

Calculation of the Volume (in m³):

Volume of a package

Length x width x height
0.63 m x 0.45 m x 0.58 m = 0.16443 m³

Total volume of the consignment

Volume of one package x number of packages
0.16443 x 50 = 8.2215 m³³

This results in a cubage factor of: 8.2215

Calculation of the Weight:

Total weight of the consignment

Number of packages x individual weight (gross weight)

50 x 10 kg = 500 kg

This results in a weight factor of: 0.5

Calculation of Freight:

Sea freight as per quotation = 100 USD w/m (weight / measure = weight subject to freight).

Cubage factor > weight factor, therefore the cubage factor is used

Calculation of the sea freight rate:

100 USD x 8.2215 = 822.15 USD