Learn more about International Airfreight Volume/Weight
QUESTIONS and ANSWERS:
Are you over-estimating the volume of goods you plan to ship overseas?
Are you under-estimating? What will be the "chargeable weight"?
Don't get "cube shock" regarding the final packed volume of your cargo.
To obtain a volume estimate and shipping rate,
create a basic packing list (with 3 dimensions HxWxD if possible)
and send a copy to our head office, Sefco Export Management Company, Inc.
by email info@sefco-export.com or via fax: 718-732-2863.
You can use our on-line packing list form as a guide:
inventoryform.pdf
To self-estimate the net volume of various standard household items including furniture,
you can also refer to our "Online Cube Sheet":
www.sefco-export.com/cubesheet2.pdf
Do you plan to move an entire household (including furniture)
or just a smaller quantity of personal effects?
Typically, a small family with an average living room,
dining room, two bedrooms, kitchen, and misc. cartons for all your
books, clothes, dishes, painting, decorations, etc., would be
enough to fill one standard
twenty ft (20') container -- with a capacity of about 1,000-cubic feet,
holding approximately 6,000-lbs worth of household goods.
Larger households may require use of a forty ft (40') container --
with over 2,000-cuft. volume capacity, holding approximately
12,000-lbs+ Household Goods.
Smaller (ocean) shipments can go via
"LCL/less than containerload" method, with the shipping cost based on the overall volume of goods being sent.
A smaller personal effects shipment sent by an adult
(one) may average about 60 to 160-cuft, without a lot of large furniture.
What does cubic footage look like?
Picture a typical kitchen refrigerator, about 5 feet tall.
One average refrigerator takes up about 40-cubic feet of space.
So, if you wanted to figure the general volume for a
quantity of cartons you may have, then ask yourself:
"Do I have one, two or three refrigerators
worth of space?"
Three "fridges" of space, means about 120-cuft.
Four means 160-cuft, Five means 200-cuft and so on.
Shipping by Sea? Make a list and write down the 3 dimensions of every item.
To figure out the cubic footage
of any particular item:
multiply the height (in inches)
times the width (inches)
times the depth (inches) of the item,
then divide the resulting number by 1728.
The result gives you the volume, in cubic feet.
You are welcome to fax or e-mail SEFCO with a
general list of the furniture and items you plan to ship.
How to contact us:
email.htm
We can help you determine the best method to ship,
or for greater convenience we can arrange for a pre-move
survey of your goods to be packed & shipped overseas.
Average cost:
$ 175 for an in-home export survey report.
For more info go to:
Export Survey Report
Origin Options
We pack or you pack, it's your choice.
We have an on-line rate guide for our export packing "origin services" at:
origin.htm and
originrate.htm
SMALL shipments often go via
AIRFREIGHT, and the charge for air-shipment is based on:
Either the actual weight of each item placed on a scale, or the "dimensional" weight, whichever is greater.
International air "DIM" weight is figured this way:
Multiply the three dimensions (H x W x D in inches) then divide the resulting number by 166.
IF the resulting amount gives you a figure Higher than the "actual" weight of that item measured on a scale, then you'll be charged for the higher international "DIM" weight.
Why?
Picture a piece of styrofoam, 3 ft by 3 ft by 3 ft. A child can pick it up, and it will weigh perhaps less than five lbs., right? But, when sending via AIRFREIGHT, the international "DIM" weight comes to over 280-lbs.
Why?
Volume displacement ...is a big factor in international air-shipping.
Another simple way to figure out your international air "dim weight" is by multiplying the cubic footage, by 10.4
A 20-cubic foot carton will have a dimensional airweight of 208-lbs (20-cuft x 10.4 = 208-lbs chargeable airweight).
FYI, about European/American standards...
Weight: one kilo = approx 2.2-lbs. Measurement: one cubic meter = approx 35-cubic feet
The average "density factor"
for household goods, personal effects...
is 6 - 7 (6.5) lbs. per 1-cubic foot volume.
very dense consignments (books, china)
can average closer to 12-lbs/1-cuft.
Our "O/A" Origin Agent export packers (professional HHG/PE household goods/personal effects movers) base their export packing charges
on either the weight or the measure, whichever is the greater.
In most locations the average/minumum density factor for HHG/PE export packers is 7-lbs per 1 cubic foot.
For: Smaller "LCL" consignments that need "trucking pickup only".
Our broad network of "air-cargo truckers"
within the USA are used to
pickup smaller/already export-packed LCL less than container-load consignments for shipment by either sea or air.
Their charges are based on "weight or measure" and the minumum density factor used
throughout the domestic air/trucking industry is nine (9) pounds per one (1) cubic foot volume.
So if you have a consignment that is 50-cubic feet in volume, the domestic/air cargo trucker charge would be
based on 450-lbs (9-lbs/cuft x 50-cuft = 450-lbs) or more (if the actual scale weight of the cargo is greater than 450-lbs.)
Remember that export packers are not "truckers only". And truckers, are not packers. Two different types of service.
These are industry standards,
within the HHG Export/Import Shipping Community.
More about "Density":
Think of it this way: in your home, weights you may use for exercising, probably take up
little space but have heavy poundage. But then in comparison, rattan wicker furniture can take up
a lot of space but weigh "not too much".
There usually is a "a happy medium" where people have a "normal mix" of furniture and personal
effects.
It's just a matter of averages that seem to become standard over time
- to those companies that specialize in this specific commodity (hhg/pe) and
its' own particular international routing system.
Cargo agents and transport companies normally charge based on the higher amount (weight or volume).
This is what is called
"weight or measure (w/m), whichever yields the greater revenue" in the shipping industry.
This is a basic element for buying freight/cargo transport related services.
HHG/PE Household Goods and Personal Effects Overseas Moves.
Weight to Household Size, averages.
Normal Overseas Moves - HHG/PE
Density factor of 7-lbs per 1 cubic foot (average).
Small tightly packed loads can average 9 - 12 lbs per cubic foot or more.
Other commercial commodities, like heavy equipment, stone, marble, machinery, printed matter, etc. can have considerably higher density to volume ratios.
DENSITY FACTORS
CCSB: Commodity Classification Standards Board
image courtesy of logisticsmgmt.com
Sefco Export Management Company, Inc. can arrange the importation as well as export of heavy commodities such as stone, tiles, marble,
metal pipes, plumbing equipment, and other commercial products. Non-HHG/PE consignments (Commercial Cargo accounts)
can be handled for registered companies. Companies can work with us after our sales department opens your account. Please call or email us.
Read our general advice...
Many "commercial cargo" forwarders and ocean consolidators will not service unprepared HHG/PE - household goods/personal effects shippers and cargo.
If PBO-packed by owner cargo comes into a commercial CFS-warehouse for overseas shipment and it is insufficiently packed for export,
it will most likely be rejected. If a shipper has "loose" cargo already packed into sturdy cartons, Sefco can arrange for prepacking/prepping of any "loose" items, suitably for export.
LCL less than container load cargo can be palletized or crated.
If in doubt, check with Sefco Export in advance
to ascertain if the packaging will be deemed sufficient. In some instances, a letter of indemnification will be required by the carrier.
FACT: Commercial cargo expeditors are very different from HHG/PE household goods/personal effects shipping specialists.
Commercial accounts and personal effects shippers are two different categories.
What if you have commercial cargo that needs to be shipped and you not an already
established commercial account?
Access our commercial services: www.sefcologistics.com
We work with customers from the worlds most established and respected companies,
as well as with start-up visionaries, governments and state-owned entities.
"New to the business" entrepreneurs - looking into international trade projects -
can consult with our seasoned professionals and make a smart investment, by
REGISTERING as an account - to get solid business information.
Sefco performs certain "special services" along the lines of being purchasing agents for our clientele.
Buy and ship it
to your designated overseas destination, through Sefco.
Real business investigations and confirmations - pertaining to international shipping/customs, import/export
transactions, sourcing & purchasing - require a level of expertise not found in the general public.
If you need real information for shipping commercial cargo going to a prospective overseas buyer,
be sure to register your new account.
Upon receipt of your initial deposit/retainer
our specialists will work on your project.
Shipping a "LCL" less than container-load consignment?
Don't get "cube shock". Get a realistic idea of what's ahead.
You've got to find out the weight/measurement of what you plan to ship BEFORE you go ahead.
This includes doing the math: writing down the total OUTSIDE dimensions of your cargo. Allow for the additional
volume that any export packaging will give, as may be required to protect your goods.
Write down all your information including the exact three (3)
dimensions and weight of every piece, every crate, case, box, barrel, pallet, or other shipping unit being used for the goods.
Send this information to us.
Remember: We can not guess at what you plan to ship.
You've got to give us the information. Hopefully correct information.
Here's an analogy...
Question: "How big is a hole?"
Answer: "You just don't know, until you actually measure it."
When sending cargo via the "LCL" method, every additional cubic foot in size, costs money.
It's not like when you use an entire "exclusive use" ocean container, where you can just fill it up with as much - or as little - cargo as you want.
Remember: LCL shipments are measured, and the cost for international transport is based on
how big or how small the total measurement actually is.
If you decide to add items to your LCL shipment, it will affect the final gross dimensions that are noted after all the goods are packed/palletized (and crated) for export.
Before your LCL shipment is sent out, you must instruct us that it is officially "OK to GO". Read more about LCL shipping and volume:
"Steps to Take" - "LCL Shipping Site Map"
If you are buying goods and sending items to our receiving warehouse - and want to PROPERLY PLAN AHEAD, please take the time to
get exact measurements for everything and send this information to our office. It goes into your file.
If you are engaged in commercial business, please register with us.
Consulting/Analysis and commercial support services can provided for a commensurate fee.
Buying items to be shipped overseas?
Ask your selected vendors for the dimensions of the goods you plan to buy and send this information to us,
so we can better anticipate what you will be shipping. Our commercial consolidation warehouses can receive your purchases
over an extended period of time. Procurement Services: If you would like, we can BUY & SHIP commercial goods for your account.
For more information about our commercial services see: www.sefco-export.com/commercesitemap.htm
More advice about volume...
How to determine volume displacement inside an ocean container?
Standard ocean containers are
approx. 7'9" high (93"), and approx. 7'7" (91") wide.
For every 1 linear foot taken up inside the container,
there is approx. 55 cubic feet of volume, taken up inside the container.
The mathematical formula:
93" (inside of container height)
x 91" (inside of container width)
x 12" (one linear foot) = 101556
divided by 1728 (which is 12 x 12 x 12) = 58.77
This is where we get the figure "approx 55-cuft of volume, for every one linear foot taken up
inside a standard 20-ft or 40-ft FCL ocean container."
So, for example, if you have a 20-ft container that is loaded
inside with cargo stacked from top to bottom, and if there is about 5 feet of empty space left inside the container
from the door to where the cargo stops, this would mean there is approximately 15 linear feet of cargo inside the container.
15-linear feet x 55-cuft = 825-cubic feet.
This is how volume is often determined for "loose-packed/loaded" containerized cargo.
It's only through many years of experience in moving household goods overseas, that one gets to know the "ins and outs" of this business.
Will this be your first time moving overseas?
All the more reason to work with people who have done it literally thousands of times,
to destinations all over the world.
...for further information and advice on shipping your HHG-household goods, personal effects,
passenger car, SUV, truck, RV, boat or heavy equipment on wheels,
or even your pets.
Shipping a vehicle?
Ro-Ro rates are based on the size of the vehicle.
See our worldwide rate guides to generally compare costs.
[click here]
We recommend that you do a "Google Search" under
your vehicles' specific year, make and model, and
look up the specifications as stated by the manufacturer
(Length x Width x Height) shown from the longest 3 points.
If there are fog lights or other accessories that extend out, the SS line will include this
longest dimension in how they determine the shipping charge.
Calculating the cubic footage of a vehicle works the same way as described above, mathematically:
H (inches) x W (inches) x D (inches) divided by 1728 = the total cubic footage for the vehicle, boat, crate or other type of cargo.
For further guidance, please read our [car advice].
Sending a small amount of personal effects?
Read our suggestions and
recommendations
about using a "super box".
More packing, secure and neat, is always better than less packing. Send it safely.
Moving Overseas? For personalized attention and care, you have every reason to contact:
Sefco Export's HHG/PE and Vehicle Shipping division
Picture a typical kitchen refrigerator, about 5 feet tall.
One average refrigerator takes up about 40-cubic feet of space.
