CBM (Cubic Meter)

What is CBM?

CBM (cubic meter) is a measurement of volume one meter wide by one meter long by one meter high.

CBM is used to calculate chargeable weight.

How do you calculate CBM?

Multiply the length, width, and height of a package in meters. A carton that measures 1.2 meters by 1 meter by 0.8 meters equals 0.96 CBM. If your measurements are in centimeters, multiply the three numbers and divide by 1,000,000. For a shipment with many identical cartons, calculate one carton and multiply by the carton count.

Why does CBM matter in shipping?

Carriers usually charge ocean LCL freight by CBM or by weight, whichever is greater. Air carriers compare actual weight with volumetric weight and bill the higher number, which is the chargeable weight. Many air carriers treat 1 CBM as about 167 kilograms, so bulky, light cargo costs more than its weight suggests.

CBM also tells you how much cargo fits in a container. A 20-foot container holds about 33 CBM and a standard 40-foot container about 67 CBM, though usable space is lower once you account for packaging and loading gaps.

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