Volumetric charging

How to calculate volumetric weight

Online calculator

The easiest way to price your consignment is to use our Quick Quote tool. You’ll need to know the package’s weight, destination country and the dimensions in centimetres. 

Enter the details at the appropriate points and we’ll tell you what the volumetric weight is.  You will be charged the higher of the actual and volumetric weight. If you are sending a multiple consignment, calculate each price separately (as below) then enter the result into the ‘total chargeable consignment weight’ box. 

Calculate volumetric weight manually

Alternatively, you can work out the cost of sending a consignment yourself.

Please refer to the country information in our Worldwide Directory to check the zone.

Select the Parcelforce Worldwide service you wish to use.

See the Parcelforce Worldwide price guide where the cost is indicated in the relevant zone / consignment weight column.

International pricing for parcels - Zones 4-12

Multiply the length x height x width in centimetres and divide the answer by 5,000. The result is the volumetric weight. The answer should be compared with the actual weight in kg. Whichever is the greater figure should be used to look up the price for the service you require in the Parcelforce Worldwide price guide.

All packages will be volumetrically scanned before leaving the country. If there is any difference between the declared weight and the volumetric weight, you will be charged the 

higher amount.

For example:  Assume the actual weight of your package is 8kg, but the dimensions are 40cm x 30cm x 50cm = 12kg.

The volumetric weight of 12kg is greater than the actual weight of 8kg, and if your package is irregularly shaped, the volumetric weight is calculated based on the dimensions of the smallest cubic shape the package will fit into.

Volumetric charging of international multiple parcel consignments

If you are sending an international consignment of more than one package, you will need to manually calculate the volumetric weight of each item (length x height x width in centimetres and divide the result by 5,000).

You should then use the greater of the volumetric or actual weight for each package in order to get a total consignment weight.

For example: Imagine three packages are being sent as a multiple consignment.

Package 1 has an actual weight of 1.5kg

30cm x 30cm x 15cm /5000 = 2.7kg

Therefore volumetric weight will be used as it is greater.

Package 2 has an actual weight of 3kg

30cm x 32cm x 15cm/5000 = 2.9kg

Therefore actual weight will be used.

Package 3 has an actual weight of 5kg

40cm x 30cm x 50cm/5000 = 12kg

Therefore volumetric weight will be used.

After the above calculation:

Total actual consignment weight = 1.5kg + 3kg + 5kg = 9.5kg.

Total chargeable consignment weight = 2.7kg + 3kg + 12kg = 17.7kg.

Therefore 17.7kg would be the weight to use to look up the price for the service you require in the Parcelforce Worldwide price guide.

Volumetric charging of international pallets

“The cost of international pallets depends on a number of criteria including weight, volume and stackability. For stackable pallets the volume is calculated by the area of the pallet multiplied by the total height (including the pallet itself.)”