Freight Shipping FAQ

Most freight questions have a short, correct answer buried under marketing pages. This FAQ collects the ones we get from users of the CBM Calculator and the Volumetric Weight Calculator, along with the questions that come up on every shipping forum. Each answer is written to be practically useful, not academically complete.

What does CBM mean in shipping?

CBM stands for Cubic Meter — the volume of a shipment measured in meters. It is the standard volume unit used in ocean freight (LCL), warehouse storage and international courier pricing. One CBM equals 1,000 liters or about 35.31 cubic feet.

How do I calculate CBM manually?

Multiply length × width × height in meters. If your carton is 60 × 40 × 30 cm, convert to meters first (0.6 × 0.4 × 0.3) = 0.072 CBM. Multiply by the number of cartons for total shipment volume.

How much CBM fits in a 20ft container?

A standard 20ft dry container has about 33.2 CBM of internal volume. Realistic loading is closer to 25–28 CBM after allowing for pallet gaps, blocking and dunnage.

How much CBM fits in a 40ft container?

A standard 40ft dry container holds about 67.7 CBM; a 40ft High Cube holds about 76.4 CBM. Practical loading is usually 55–60 CBM (standard) and 60–68 CBM (HC).

What is the difference between CBM and volumetric weight?

CBM measures pure volume. Volumetric (dimensional) weight converts that volume to a chargeable weight in kilograms using a divisor — 6000 for air, 5000 for courier, 3000 for road, 1000 for sea LCL. Carriers bill on the higher of actual and volumetric weight.

What is chargeable weight?

Chargeable weight is the greater of the shipment's actual gross weight and its volumetric weight. It is the number the freight quote is built on for air, express and most road shipments.

Why is my freight cost higher than expected?

Nine times out of ten it is because the volumetric weight exceeds actual weight. Light, bulky cargo (pillows, plastic mouldings, lampshades) gets charged on volume, not scale weight — a 20 kg carton can easily be billed as 60 kg.

What is the difference between FCL and LCL?

FCL (Full Container Load) means you book an entire container and pay a flat rate. LCL (Less than Container Load) means your cargo shares a container with other shippers and is priced per CBM or per 1,000 kg, whichever is greater.

At what CBM does FCL become cheaper than LCL?

The break-even is usually around 13–15 CBM for a 20ft container on most trade lanes, and 26–28 CBM for a 40ft. Below that, LCL is normally cheaper; above it, FCL wins and gives you full control of the container.

What are Incoterms 2020?

Incoterms 2020 are 11 standard trade rules published by the ICC that define who arranges transport, who pays for what, and where risk transfers between seller and buyer. The most common are EXW, FOB, CIF, CPT, DAP and DDP.

What is the difference between FOB and CIF?

Under FOB, the seller pays to get the goods loaded on the vessel; the buyer pays freight, insurance and destination costs. Under CIF, the seller also pays freight to the destination port and minimum marine insurance. Risk still transfers when goods are on board.

What is DDP shipping?

DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is the Incoterm with the maximum seller obligation — the seller delivers goods to the buyer's door with all export/import clearance, duties and taxes paid. The buyer only has to receive them.

What is a Bill of Lading?

The Bill of Lading (B/L) is the core ocean-freight document. It works as a receipt for the cargo, evidence of the contract of carriage and — for an original B/L — a document of title that must be surrendered to release the cargo.

What is the difference between a House B/L and a Master B/L?

The Master B/L (MBL) is issued by the ocean carrier to the freight forwarder. The House B/L (HBL) is issued by the forwarder to the actual shipper. Both cover the same cargo but at different points in the contract chain.

What is an HS Code?

The Harmonized System (HS) code is an international 6-digit product classification used by customs worldwide to determine duty rates. Countries add 2–4 digits for national tariff detail (10-digit HTSUS in the US, 8-digit CN in the EU).

What is demurrage vs detention?

Demurrage is charged when a full container stays inside the terminal past the free days. Detention is charged when the carrier's container stays outside the terminal (at your warehouse) past the free days. Both are per-day and add up fast.

What is THC in shipping?

THC (Terminal Handling Charges) are fees the port or terminal charges for moving containers between the vessel and the yard. Both origin and destination THC usually appear on freight quotes.

What is BAF?

BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor) is a surcharge ocean carriers add to cover fuel-price fluctuations. It is quoted per TEU (container) or per CBM/1000 kg for LCL and changes as fuel markets move.

How is air freight priced?

Air freight is priced per kilogram on chargeable weight (higher of actual and volumetric weight, using the 6000 divisor). Add fuel surcharge, security surcharge and any special handling. Minimum charge applies below a break-point.

What is a volumetric divisor?

A divisor is the cm³/kg factor carriers use to convert volume into chargeable weight. Standard air freight uses 6000 (IATA). Express couriers use 5000. Road/LTL varies from 3000–4000. Sea LCL uses 1000 (1 CBM = 1000 kg equivalent).

How many cartons fit on a Euro pallet?

A standard Euro pallet is 1200 × 800 mm with about 144 cm² of usable footprint. The exact carton count depends on carton footprint — divide 1200 × 800 by your carton L × W, then multiply by layers, capped by the pallet's max height (usually 1.6–2.0 m including pallet).

What pallet type is standard in the US?

The GMA pallet — 48 × 40 inches — is the US grocery standard and represents roughly a third of all US pallets in use. It fits standard truck trailers ten wide (two rows) with almost no wasted space.

What is the SOLAS VGM rule?

SOLAS Verified Gross Mass requires the shipper to declare the total weight of a packed container — cargo + tare — to the carrier before it can be loaded on board. Missing or wrong VGM will strand the container at the port.

What is an NVOCC?

A Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier is a freight forwarder that issues its own bills of lading and consolidates cargo but does not own the ships. NVOCCs give shippers pricing leverage against the direct carriers.

What is consolidation in shipping?

Consolidation is when a forwarder combines multiple LCL shipments from different exporters into one full container. It lowers cost per CBM for the shippers and lets the forwarder earn on the difference between LCL and FCL rates.

Should I use a freight forwarder or book direct with a carrier?

Book direct with a carrier only for regular, full-container lanes where you have volume and staff to handle documentation. Use a forwarder for LCL, mixed modes, complex customs, or when volume is not steady — they aggregate other shippers' cargo to give you better rates than you can get alone.

How long does sea freight from China to the US take?

West Coast US ports (LA/Long Beach) typically take 14–20 days port-to-port from major Chinese ports. East Coast (New York, Savannah) is 25–35 days via Panama Canal. Add 5–10 days for inland transport at both ends.

How long does sea freight from China to Europe take?

North European base ports (Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp) are 30–40 days from Shanghai or Ningbo. Mediterranean ports are 25–32 days. Red Sea disruptions and Cape of Good Hope routing add another 10–14 days on affected services.

What documents does an importer need to clear customs?

The core set is: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading (or AWB), certificate of origin, and any product-specific certificates (FDA, CE, phyto-sanitary, etc.). HS codes should be on the invoice.

What is a certificate of origin?

A signed document — usually from a Chamber of Commerce — declaring the country where the goods were produced. Used to claim preferential duty rates under free-trade agreements or to comply with anti-dumping rules.

How do I calculate import duty?

Multiply the customs value (usually CIF value on the commercial invoice) by the HS-code duty rate for your country. Add any VAT/GST on top of value + duty + freight. Use the CBM Checker import duty calculator for a first estimate.

What is a reefer container?

A refrigerated container with a powered cooling unit — used for perishables, pharmaceuticals, and any temperature-sensitive cargo. Internal volume is smaller than a dry container because of insulation and the cooling machinery.

Have another question?

This FAQ grows every month based on what actual users email us. If your question isn't here, send it to support@cbmchecker.com and we'll answer it and add it to the list.