How does international logistics measure cargo size?

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Before answering this question, let's take a look at how international logistics companies measure the size of goods?

Here we take DHL as an example：

As an important part of international logistics, parcel weighing and charging are essential. DHL's operating guide also has a special introduction.

In actual operation, there are three ways to measure volumetric weight:

① Standard package measurement method: If the package is of standard carton size, the volumetric weight is calculated based on the length, width and height of the carton.

For example, if the package is 45cm long, 30cm wide and 20cm high through DHL, the volumetric weight = (45x30x20)CM/5000 = 5.4KG, and the actual weight is 1.2KG, then the freight will be calculated based on the volumetric weight of 5.4KG, and the final chargeable weight is 5.5KG.

②Surface wrapping measurement method:

If the package is squeezed by the cargo and the plane of the box expands and deforms, the longest side of the package will be used for calculation. For example, if the carton is actually 15 long, 30 wide, and 20 high through the DHL channel, it will be 18 long, 33 wide, and 22 high after sealing due to the cargo squeezing. The volume weight = (18x33x22)/5000 = 2.7KG, and the actual weight is 2KG. The freight for this package is calculated based on the volume weight of 2.7KG, and the final chargeable weight is 3KG.

③Irregular package measurement method:

If the goods need to be packed into irregular packages due to their actual size, the volumetric weight of the package will be calculated based on the longest side.

For example, if the length of an irregular package is 15cm, the width is 40cm, and the height is 25cm, then the volumetric weight is (15x40x25)/5000=3kg, and the actual weight is 2kg, then the freight will be calculated based on the volumetric weight of 3kg.

No matter it is shipped by sea or air, when measuring the size, no matter it is carton packaging or irregular packaging, the longest or most protruding point will be used to measure the size. This will be larger than the actual size of your shipment, because the box may be deformed during transportation and loading and unloading, but the difference is basically not too big, 2-3cm is within the normal range.

In addition, the size and design of carton packaging are often overlooked.

Inner diameter size, or inner size: It is the internal space size of the corrugated carton after it is boxed, which is slightly larger than the overall size of the contents.

Production size, or manufacturing size: The inner diameter size plus the thickness of the used Wabang cardboard is the manufacturing size.

Outer diameter size, or outer size: The actual manufacturing size plus the thickness of the used corrugated cardboard is the outer diameter size.

Reasons for the three major sizes:

As we all know, cartons are made of corrugated cardboard. Corrugated cardboard has a certain thickness and is divided into models such as A, B, C, E, and F. The thickness of the corrugated cardboard is determined by the height. The same corrugation, the higher the number of pits, the higher the thickness; when producing cartons, in order to make the corrugated cardboard bend well, the corrugated structure inside the corrugated cardboard is destroyed by pressing the line, so that the inner paper shrinks and the surface paper extends to form a wave shape. Now the thin knife paper splitting creasing machine only presses the inner line, and there are no two creasing lines on the surface paper, which is flat. It is for this reason that the three sizes mentioned above are generated.

Schematic diagram of the relationship between the outer diameter, manufacturing size, and inner diameter of the carton：

The ranking of three sizes: carton outer diameter > production size > inner diameter.

The schematic diagram shows the point-to-flat pressing method. Usually, we may encounter three-point or five-point pressing methods to form corrugated cardboard boxes. The purpose is the same. The protruding part of the bottom line of the pressing wheel squeezes the compressed part of the corrugated cardboard into the center of the corrugated cardboard.

The inner diameter of the corrugated cardboard is slightly shorter than the distance between the line and the pressing line when the corrugated cardboard is unfolded, because there is basically no gap at the bend, which is basically solid. The higher the corrugated cardboard is, the longer it is bent.

Conversion table of carton inner diameter, manufacturing size, and outer diameter：

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From the perspective of professional ethics, as business personnel of a regular international logistics company (employees who connect with customers), we actually cannot see the goods throughout the whole process, and the size is based on the data of the shipping system.Business is not a one-time deal. It is much easier to lose a customer than to develop a customer.

Business is not a one-time deal. It is much easier to lose a customer than to develop a customer.

When cooperating with customers, honesty and trustworthiness are the most basic professional ethics.

From the perspective of operators, the process of warehousing, measuring, and recording orders is very busy, especially during the peak period of recording shipments. If there is a problem with the size of a piece of goods, it is very time-consuming to deduct the goods, dismantle the board, and re-measure, which can easily delay the timeliness of the goods transportation, and cause more problems later.

If you encounter the above problems, you are welcome to come to our company to verify the size on site.