CBM Calculator for Railfreight Shipping

To use the CBM calculator for railfreight shipping, enter the details of each package, to instantly calculate the package CBM volume, total volume, and total weight of each shipment.

Use the CBM calculator by following these steps:

1. Enter the length, width, height and weight of each package, and the number of packages. Click ’Add Package’ to add new package details as required.

   The CBM calculator will give you the following calculations:

   • Package Volume (CBM m3)
   • Total Volume (CBM m3)
   • Total weight (Kg)
2. If you’d like to calculate the total chargeable amount for the shipment, enter the ‘Freight Rate Per Kg’ that has been quoted to move this shipment.

   At the bottom, the ‘Total Chargeable Amount’ to move this airfreight shipment will be shown.

The CBM Calculator measures shipment volume in cubic meters, which is important in shipping and logistics. CBM stands for Cubic Meter (m3), which confirms the total space that your shipment occupies. In shipping, CBM (cubic meter) is a standard unit of measurement for freight volume. This is important for international trade.

The CBM Calculator helps by providing shippers with individual and overall packaging cubic volumes and weights. When shipping goods via FCL, this helps shippers to plan the loading of shipping containers. When shipping goods via LCL cargo, it helps shippers understand the freight costs.

Shipping companies or freight forwarders usually charge based on volume or weight, whichever is greater. Understanding CBM and weight data will help shippers in many ways, including:

• Understand the total freight costs that the shipment volume will incur
• Calculating the Landed Costs of imported products. Use the IncoDocs Landed Cost Calculator here.
• Plan purchasing quantities
• Plan the loading of shipping containers

The formula for calculating CBM is quite simple. Multiply the Length x Width x Height of your package in meters. The result is the cubic meter volume (m3). See below formula and example for CBM calculations:

DIM Weight (also known as Dimensional Weight, or Volumetric Weight) is a key number used to calculate the chargeable weight for different modes of transport - via, Sea, Air, Courier/Parcel, Road or Rail transport. It calculates the amount of space that a shipment will take up when it is transported and compares it to the actual gross weight of a shipment.

Carriers, freight forwarders and courier companies will calculate the Dimensional Weight by multiplying the length x width x height of a package, and then divide it by a standard divisor (called the DIM Factor, which is 6000 for airfreight).

This ensures that even if packages are very large and lightweight, or very small and heavy, that they are charged accordingly by the carrier. For airfreight the DIM factor is 6000. It’s important to note that the DIM factor varies per mode of transport.

• Railfreight: Length (cm) x Width (cm) x Height (cm) / 3000
• Seafreight: Length (m) x Width (m) x Height (m) x 1000. For seafreight shipments, carriers will multiply the length x width x height (in meters) and then multiply it by 1000.
• Airfreight: Length (cm) x Width (cm) x Height (cm) / 6000
• Courier/Parcel: Length (cm) x Width (cm) x Height (cm) / 5000
• Roadfreight: Length (cm) x Width (cm) x Height (cm) / 3000

For any particular shipment, the chargeable freight rate depends on the CBM volume and the Actual Weight or the DIM Weight (Dimensional Weight) of the shipment, whichever is greater.

It’s important to understand that Sea, Air or Road carriers will use the greater of the Actual Weight or the Dimensional Weight (also known as the volumetric weight, or cubed weight) to determine the chargeable cost to move the freight. For example, light but bulky items may cost more due to the large space that they occupy.

When calculating the chargeable weight, shipments via Sea, Air and Road will use a different DIM Factor (Dimensional Weight Factor, also known as the conversion factor/conversion rate). The different factors, conversion rates and formulas for the different modes of transport are as displayed in the table below.

If you ship goods via road freight LTL, the carrier will charge for the freight per 1m3 or usually per 333Kg (a DIM factor of 3000 is used).

Note that for road freight LTL, a conversion rate 333 is widely used. However this can vary per carrier. Some carriers use 250, some 300, most use 333. Always verify with your carrier to ensure accurate calculations and compliance with their policies.

If a road freight LTL freight rate is quoted at $100USD per CBM/MT, let’s look at 2 examples below.

How long does it take to ship from China to Europe via Rail Freight?

The transit time for rail freight from China to Europe varies depending on several factors, including the specific route taken, the origin and destination points and the efficiency of rail operators.

• Rail freight, as a general guideline, from China to Europe typically takes between 15-25 days.
• Sea freight typically takes around 30-45 days from China to Europe, making rail freight a faster alternative.
• Airfreight is much faster, usually taking 5-7 days, depending on direct or trans-shipment routes, but is significantly more expensive than rail freight.

Is there a difference in container size between sea and rail freight?

Both sea freight and rail freight commonly use standardized ISO shipping containers. However, rail freight offers more flexibility as it can accomodate oversized or unusual cargo due to fewer height restrictions compared to sea freight.

What is the Minimum Shipment Volume for Rail Freight?

For rail freight cargo shipped via LCL, usually the rail operator or freight forwarder will charge a minium of 1 CBM m3, however this can vary depending on the specific rail operator. It’s best to check and confirm the operator’s minimum voluem requirements and pricing structures.

How do you calculate the CBM of an irregular shaped box?

Calculating the cubic meter of an irregular-shaped carton is a bit different, but maintains the same formula. First, find the maximum length, width and height of the carton. Treat it as if it fits into a regular cuboid. Measure the maximum length, maximum width and maximum height of the carton. Use these measurements as if they form a regular carton.

CBM Calculation for Multiple Boxes or Cartons

Calculating CBM for multiple boxes or cartons is simple. First, calculate the CBM for one box/carton using the formula: Length (m) x Width (m) x Height (m) = CBM.

Once you have the CBM of one box/carton, multiply that by the number of boxes/cartons to get the total volume in CBM.

How to Calculate CBM for Pallets

To calculate the CBM for pallets it is quite simple. Multiply the Length x Width x Height of your package in meters (be sure to include the pallet bast in your dimensions). The result is the cubic meter volume (m3) for pallets. See below formula and example for CBM calculations: