Contents
Key points
- Volume of a carton in CBM = length × width × height in metres, multiplied by the number of cartons.
- In LCL sea freight, you pay on whichever is higher, volume or weight, using 1 tonne = 1 CBM.
- Around 12 to 15 CBM, always compare LCL with a 20ft container.
- A container is never 100% full: count on about 25 usable CBM in a 20ft and 55 to 58 CBM in a 40ft.
The CBM formula
One CBM (cubic metre) is one cubic metre. For a carton measured in centimetres, the calculation is: length × width × height ÷ 1,000,000. A 60 × 50 × 40 cm carton is therefore 120,000 ÷ 1,000,000 = 0.12 CBM. Fifty identical cartons make 6 CBM.
Use the outer dimensions of the shipping carton (the "master carton") shown on the supplier's packing list, and round up to the next centimetre. If the goods travel on pallets, it is the volume of the loaded pallet that counts, pallet included.
Chargeable weight: when weight matters more than volume
Carriers bill on whichever is higher: actual weight or a weight calculated from volume. The ratio depends on the mode of transport.
| Mode | Conversion rule | 1 CBM equals |
|---|---|---|
| Sea freight, LCL | 1 tonne = 1 m³ | 1,000 kg |
| Air freight | 6,000 cm³ = 1 kg | about 167 kg |
| Express (DHL, UPS, FedEx…) | 5,000 cm³ = 1 kg | 200 kg |
Sea example: 4 CBM of tiles weighing 5.2 tonnes are billed on 5.2 units, not 4. Air example: 0.5 CBM of textiles weighing 60 kg are billed on 83.5 kg, because volume wins.
Real container capacity
The inside volume of a container can never be fully used: cartons do not fit perfectly, pallets leave gaps and you need room to load. Here are realistic figures.
| Container | Internal volume | Usable volume in practice | Indicative max payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft standard | ≈ 33 m³ | 25 to 28 CBM | ≈ 28 t, often limited by road rules at destination |
| 40ft standard | ≈ 67 m³ | 55 to 58 CBM | ≈ 26 to 28 t |
| 40ft High Cube | ≈ 76 m³ | 65 to 68 CBM | ≈ 26 to 28 t |
For light, bulky products (furniture, lighting, textiles), a 40ft High Cube often gives the best price per CBM. For heavy, compact products, weight limits the load before volume does.
Is your volume in the grey zone between LCL and FCL? Tell us about your shipment: we will tell you the most cost-effective option on the first call.
Qualify my projectLCL or FCL: where is the tipping point?
With LCL (Less than Container Load), you share a container with other shippers and pay per CBM, with a minimum of about 1 CBM. Fixed fees per shipment come on top: handling at the consolidation warehouse, documents, deconsolidation at arrival. On small volumes, those fees weigh heavily.
With FCL (Full Container Load), you pay per container, however full it is. As a guide, LCL from China to France often runs between €300 and €380 per CBM excluding customs, and a 40ft container to Europe between €5,500 and €8,000 depending on the season. Rates change every week: only a dated quote is binding.
The tipping point usually sits between 12 and 15 CBM. Beyond price, a full container has other advantages: less handling and therefore less damage, a container sealed at the factory, and a shorter transit because there is no wait at the consolidation warehouse, which often adds 5 to 10 days.
Three worked examples
| Product | Cartons | Carton size | Total volume | Suggested mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen utensils | 80 | 50 × 40 × 35 cm (0.07 CBM) | 5.6 CBM | LCL |
| Compressed textiles | 200 | 60 × 40 × 40 cm (0.096 CBM) | 19.2 CBM | 20ft container |
| Assembled office chairs | 120 | 70 × 65 × 60 cm (0.273 CBM) | 32.8 CBM | 40ft container |
In the third case, shipping the chairs flat-packed can halve the volume and bring the shipment down to a 20ft container. That is a question to ask the supplier before you order.
Less volume means less freight
- Ask for the size and weight of the shipping carton before ordering, and do the maths.
- Go for flat-pack or nesting when the product allows it.
- Remove over-packaging that adds nothing to protection.
- If you use wooden pallets, they must be treated and marked to the ISPM 15 standard.
- Consolidate several suppliers into one container rather than sending several small LCL shipments.
Frequently asked questions
Multiply length, width and height in centimetres, then divide by 1,000,000. A 60 × 50 × 40 cm carton is 0.12 CBM.
Its internal volume is about 33 m³, but in practice you load 25 to 28 CBM of goods.
About 67 m³ internal volume, or 55 to 58 usable CBM. A 40ft High Cube reaches about 76 m³, or 65 to 68 usable CBM.
The weight used to bill transport: the higher of actual weight and volumetric weight. In LCL sea freight, 1 CBM equals 1 tonne; in air freight, about 167 kg.