Dimensional Weight Forwarding: Three Worked Examples

Dimensional weight forwarding charges are based on the size of your box whenever the box is large for what it weighs. We compare the actual weight with the dimensional weight, bill the higher of the two, and apply a 1 kg minimum. Below are the formula and three worked examples using our published Malaysia air freight rates.

Actual weight vs dimensional weight

Actual weight is what the scale shows. Dimensional weight is a figure calculated from the length, width and height of the box, so it reflects how much room the parcel takes up.

Space on an aircraft is limited, which is why a big, light carton costs more to fly than its scale weight suggests. Your billed weight is the higher of the two numbers.

Dense items such as books or heavy boots usually bill on actual weight. Light items in roomy cartons, such as jackets, soft toys or structured bags, usually bill on dimensional weight.

The dimensional weight forwarding formula

Our formula uses inches and gives pounds first, then kilograms.

1. Measure the length, width and height of the outer box in inches.
2. Multiply the three numbers, then divide by 166. The result is dimensional weight in pounds.
3. Multiply the pounds by 0.4536 to get kilograms.

If you measured in centimetres, divide each side by 2.54 to get inches before you start. The shipping calculator accepts cm or inches and kg or lb, so you can skip the hand arithmetic if you prefer.

The 1 kg minimum and the next-tier rule

Two rules turn the higher weight into the billed weight.

The first is the minimum: 1 kg per box or trip. A parcel that works out at 0.6 kg is billed as 1 kg.

The second is the next-tier rule. The Malaysia rate card has 33 tiers from 1 kg to 30 kg, in half-kilo steps up to 4 kg and whole kilos after that. A weight that falls between two tiers moves up to the next one. There is no 4.5 kg tier, so 4.1 kg uses the 5 kg row.

Total air freight is the billed weight multiplied by that tier’s USD per kg rate. These are the tiers used in the examples below:

Rates are reviewed and may change, so check the full card on the shipping fees page before you rely on a number.

Three worked examples

The box sizes and weights here are illustrations. Your quote uses the weight and dimensions measured when the parcel reaches our US warehouse.

Example 1: a small bag box

A small crossbody bag arrives in a box measuring 10 x 8 x 4 inches and weighing 0.6 kg.

• 10 x 8 x 4 = 320 cubic inches
• 320 / 166 = 1.928 lb
• 1.928 x 0.4536 = 0.87 kg dimensional weight

The higher figure is 0.87 kg (dimensional). That is under the minimum, so the billed weight is 1 kg. Freight: 1 x USD 36.00 = USD 36.00.

Example 2: a shoe box

A pair of sneakers ships in an outer box measuring 14 x 9 x 5 inches and weighing 1.3 kg.

• 14 x 9 x 5 = 630 cubic inches
• 630 / 166 = 3.795 lb
• 3.795 x 0.4536 = 1.72 kg dimensional weight

Dimensional weight (1.72 kg) is higher than actual weight (1.3 kg). It sits between the 1.5 kg and 2 kg tiers, so it moves up to 2 kg. Freight: 2 x USD 31.00 = USD 62.00.

Example 3: a bulky, light box

A puffer jacket ships in a carton measuring 20 x 16 x 12 inches and weighing only 3 kg.

• 20 x 16 x 12 = 3,840 cubic inches
• 3,840 / 166 = 23.133 lb
• 23.133 x 0.4536 = 10.49 kg dimensional weight

Dimensional weight (10.49 kg) is far above the 3 kg on the scale. It falls between the 10 kg and 11 kg tiers, so it uses the 11 kg row. Freight: 11 x USD 11.40 = USD 125.40.

On actual weight alone, the same parcel would have been 3 x USD 25.20 = USD 75.60. The size of the carton adds USD 49.80.

What the freight figure does not include

Air freight is one line of the quote. Malaysia door delivery is charged separately and stops at the lobby or ground floor.

• Klang Valley: RM 60 per address plus RM 15 per box, so one box is RM 75.
• Outside Klang Valley: RM 90 per address plus RM 20 per box, so one box is RM 110.
• Sabah and Sarawak towns: ask us on WhatsApp.

The calculator converts the USD freight to ringgit at the exchange rate it shows that day and adds door delivery to give a total in MYR. There is no extra air freight packing fee on top of the weight rate.

The seller’s shipping carton is what gets measured, so a product page’s listed item weight is only a starting point. Our weight and packing checklist covers what to check before you buy. Storage, late payment and other charges are listed under forwarding fees and terms.

These examples use the Malaysia rate card. For the overall process, see our USA to Malaysia forwarding guide. Routes outside Malaysia need a destination-specific quote, which you can request through worldwide parcel forwarding.