Is it more expensive to ship by weight or size?

The Great Shipping Debate: Weight vs. Dimensional Weight – Which Costs More?

The cost of shipping a package isn’t simply a matter of slapping a label on and paying based on the weight displayed on your bathroom scale. While weight plays a significant role, the true cost often hinges on a less intuitive factor: dimensional weight. Understanding the interplay between these two factors is crucial for anyone looking to optimize their shipping budget.

Shipping carriers don’t just weigh your package; they also measure its dimensions – length, width, and height. This is because a large, lightweight package, like a box filled with packing peanuts, occupies a disproportionate amount of space on a truck or airplane compared to a smaller, denser package of the same weight. This space consumption impacts fuel efficiency and overall logistical operations.

This is where dimensional weight (DIM weight) comes into play. DIM weight is a calculated weight based on the package’s volume, designed to reflect the space it consumes during transit. Carriers use a formula, typically involving multiplying the length, width, and height of the package, then dividing by a specific divisor (which varies depending on the carrier and service). The result is a DIM weight, which is then compared to the actual weight. The higher of the two – actual weight or DIM weight – determines the shipping cost.

Let’s illustrate:

Imagine two packages:

• Package A: Weighs 10 lbs and measures 12x12x12 inches. Let’s assume a DIM divisor of 166. The DIM weight is (12x12x12)/166 ≈ 10.4 lbs. In this case, the actual weight and DIM weight are almost equal, so the shipping cost would be determined primarily by the actual weight.

• Package B: Weighs 5 lbs but measures 24x24x24 inches. Using the same DIM divisor, the DIM weight is (24x24x24)/166 ≈ 83.4 lbs. Here, the DIM weight significantly exceeds the actual weight. The carrier will charge based on the much higher DIM weight, resulting in a substantially more expensive shipment.

The takeaway? While a heavier package can be more expensive to ship, it’s not always the case. A large, lightweight package can easily incur higher shipping costs due to its dimensional weight. Optimizing your packaging to minimize wasted space is key to keeping shipping expenses in check. Choosing appropriately sized boxes and using effective packing techniques to eliminate excess air gaps will help reduce your DIM weight and, ultimately, your shipping costs.

Understanding the relationship between actual weight and dimensional weight empowers you to make informed decisions when shipping goods. Don’t just focus on the scale; consider the size of your package to truly understand the total shipping expense.