How to Calculate Cubic Weight

How to Calculate Cubic Weight

Understanding cubic weight is crucial for e-commerce businesses using Australia Post for shipping. As experts in shipping integration software, Koi is here to help you navigate this important aspect of shipping calculations. Let's dive into all your questions about cubic weight and how it affects your shipping costs.

What is Cubic Weight?

Cubic weight, also known as dimensional weight, is a method used by shipping companies to calculate the cost of shipping based on the size of a package rather than its actual weight. This approach accounts for the space a package occupies in a vehicle, which is just as important as its weight when determining shipping costs.

When using Australia Post for shipping, the greater of a package's cubic weight or actual weight is typically used to calculate the cost. To simplify this process, Koi's shipping integration software automatically calculates and compares both weights, ensuring you're always charged correctly.

How to Calculate Cubic Weight in kg

The formula for calculating cubic weight in kilograms is:

(Length in meters) × (Height in meters) × (Width in meters) × 250

Australia Post uses a cubic conversion factor of 250kg per cubic metre.

For example, let's calculate the cubic weight of a parcel measuring 50cm long, 30cm high, and 40cm wide:

(0.5m) × (0.3m) × (0.4m) = 0.06m³

0.06m³ × 250 = 15kg

With Koi's software, this calculation is done automatically, saving you time and ensuring accuracy.

When is Cubic Weight Used to Calculate Shipping Fees?

For packages using non-flat rate packaging, Australia Post assesses charges based on the greater of the actual weight or cubic weight. For instance, if a parcel weighs 10kg but has a cubic weight of 15kg, the shipping charges will be based on the 15kg cubic weight.

Koi's integration with Australia Post's systems ensures that your Shopify store always uses the correct weight for pricing, whether it's the actual weight or cubic weight.

It's worth noting that for parcels weighing less than 1kg, cubic charging generally doesn't apply under non-contract conditions (e.g., through MyPost Business). However, Australia Post reserves the right to apply cubic charges to parcels under 1kg, especially for large, irregular, or cylindrical shapes.

How to Work Out Cubic Weight of an Irregularly Shaped Parcel

For cylinders, satchels, or other oddly shaped objects, use the maximum point for each dimension (length, height, and width) to calculate the cubic weight.

Koi's software is designed to handle these calculations for various shapes, making it easier for you to manage shipping for all types of products in your Shopify store.

Simplifying Cubic Weight Calculations with Koi

While understanding cubic weight is important, manually calculating it for each shipment can be time-consuming and prone to errors. That's where Koi's shipping integration software comes in. By seamlessly connecting your Shopify store with Australia Post's systems, Koi automates these calculations, ensuring that you always get the most accurate shipping rates.

Our software not only calculates cubic weight but also compares it with the actual weight, applies the correct pricing rules, and presents the most cost-effective shipping options to your customers at checkout. This automation saves you time, reduces errors, and helps optimize your shipping costs.

For more information on how Koi can streamline your shipping process and help you navigate Australia Post's cubic weight system, visit our website or contact our support team.