Definition
The total weight of a shipment including the product, packaging, pallet and protective material — the figure customs and carriers use for limits and pricing.
See it in practice
Related terms in Units & measures
CBM (Cubic Meter)
The standard volume unit in freight: length × width × height in meters. LCL ocean rates and many road quotes are priced per CBM.
Volumetric weight
A billing weight derived from package volume (L × W × H ÷ divisor). Carriers charge the higher of actual and volumetric weight.
Chargeable weight
The weight a carrier actually bills: the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight.
Net weight
The weight of the goods alone, excluding packaging and pallets. Declared on invoices and customs documents alongside gross weight.
Tare weight
The empty weight of a container or vehicle. Gross weight minus tare weight gives the cargo (payload) weight.
TEU
Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit — the standard measure of container capacity. A 40-foot container equals 2 TEU.