CBM (Cubic Meter)
What is CBM (Cubic Meter)?
CBM(Cubic Meter) is the standard unit used in international freight transport to measure the volume of goods. It is calculated by multiplying the length, width, and height of the goods, and the formula is: CBM = length (m) x width (m) x height (m). CBM is an essential indicator for determining freight rates in sea, air, and road transport, especially in LCL and LTL transport, where the goods’ volume and actual weight (gross weight) together determine the final billing weight.
How is CBM calculated?
The formula for calculating CBM is straightforward: CBM = length (meters) x width (meters) x height (meters). If the dimensions of the goods are in centimeters, you need to convert the centimeters to meters (1 M= 100 CM) before calculating. For example, the CBM of a box measuring 200 cm x 100 cm x 150 cm is calculated as follows:
CBM = (200 ÷ 100) x (100 ÷ 100) x (150 ÷ 100) = 2 x 1 x 1.5 = 3 cubic meters.
For multiple items of different sizes, you can calculate the CBM for each box separately and then add the results.
Relationship between CBM and billing weight
In international freight transport, the freight is usually based on the chargeable weight, which is greater than the volumetric or actual weight. The formula for calculating volume weight is: Volume weight = CBM x DIM factor. The DIM factor varies according to the mode of transport; for example, Air freight is usually 1:6000, while sea freight is 1:1000. By comparing the volume weight with the actual weight, the carrier can determine the final chargeable weight, thus ensuring fairness in freight calculation.
CBM in container shipping
In container shipping, CBM estimates whether goods can be loaded into a specific size container. For example, the maximum capacity of a standard 20-foot container is about 33 m3, but due to wasted space during loading, the actual usable capacity is usually 26-28 m3. By calculating the total CBM of the goods, the owner can better plan the use of the container and avoid wasting space or overloading.
Related FAQs
What is the DIM factor?
The DIM factor is a multiplier used to convert CBM to volume weight. It varies depending on the mode of transport (e.g., 1:6000 for Air freight and 1:1000 for Sea freight).
What is CBM?
CBM is an abbreviation for cubic meter, which measures the volume of goods. It is an essential indicator for calculating freight rates in international freight transport.
How does CBM affect freight rates?
Freight rates are based on the billing weight, which is greater than the volumetric or actual weight. The larger the CBM, the higher the volumetric weight is likely to be and, thus, the freight rate.
How is the CBM of irregularly shaped goods calculated?
For irregularly shaped goods, CBM = maximum length x maximum width x maximum height.
Which modes of transport does CBM apply to?
CBM applies to sea freight, Air freight, and road freight, especially LCL and part load.
