How chargeable weight is calculated in air freight
Why a light but bulky parcel can cost more than a heavy one, with worked examples.
Author profile, cchbinc.com editorial team
Profile reviewed September 2026
- Industry experience
- 20+ years in air cargo
- Specialism
- International air freight
- Based in
- Australia
- Role at cchbinc.com
- Senior editor & reviewer
About Craig
Craig Davies has spent more than two decades working with air cargo, from warehouse floors and ramp operations to freight forwarding desks handling shipments across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America.
At cchbinc.com, he writes and reviews the site's air freight guidance. His job is to turn the rules, paperwork, and pricing logic of air cargo into plain explanations that shippers, importers, and small business owners can act on with confidence.
His articles draw on day-to-day operational experience: what actually delays a shipment, how chargeable weight changes a quote, when a cargo needs special handling, and which documents customs brokers ask for first. Every piece he publishes is checked against current carrier and regulatory guidance before it goes live.
Areas of expertise
Air cargo operations
Booking, capacity, ULD build-up, and how freight moves through airport terminals.
Rates & chargeable weight
Volumetric weight, surcharges, and how to read and compare air freight quotes.
Customs & documentation
Air waybills, commercial invoices, import declarations, and clearance timelines.
Dangerous & special cargo
Lithium batteries, perishables, live animals, and temperature-controlled shipments.
Freight forwarding
Choosing forwarders, consolidation versus direct, and door-to-door service levels.
Supply chain planning
When to fly versus ship, sea-air options, and planning around peak seasons.
Professional experience
- Present
Senior air freight editor, cchbinc.com
Leads the site's air freight coverage, writes in-depth guides, and reviews contributed articles for accuracy.
- Previous
Freight forwarding and account management
Managed international air shipments for importers and exporters, coordinating carriers, brokers, and consignees.
- Earlier career
Airport cargo operations
Worked in terminal handling and export acceptance, including documentation checks and special cargo screening.
Editorial focus
- Air freight basics
- Shipping costs
- Customs clearance
- Dangerous goods
- Express vs. standard air
- Import & export rules
- Carrier and route updates
- Packaging & labelling
Craig's writing is aimed at people who need to ship something by air and want to understand the process before they commit: first-time importers, e-commerce sellers, procurement teams, and anyone comparing freight quotes.
Latest contributions
The air waybill explained, field by field
What each section of an AWB means and the mistakes that cause holds at origin.
Shipping lithium batteries by air: what shippers need to know
Classifications, packing requirements, and when a forwarder will refuse the booking.
Air freight or sea freight? A practical decision guide
Comparing cost, transit time, and risk to decide which mode suits your shipment.
How long does air cargo customs clearance take?
Typical timelines, common delays, and how to prepare documents in advance.
Temperature-controlled air freight for perishables
Cold chain options, packaging choices, and questions to ask your carrier.