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Why a lightweight parcel from China can cost more to ship

1688BUY editorial team · Published

Actual versus volumetric weight: what to measure and how to compare delivery quotes.

Plan packing and shipping costsStep 5 of 5

Measure the finished parcel

Ask the warehouse for the external length, width, height and weight after packing. Product dimensions in a listing are not packed dimensions. Protrusions, protective inserts and outer packaging can change the result.

Confirm the formula for your service

Nova Poshta Global terms dated 8 August 2025 describe comparing actual and volumetric weight and different divisors for sender categories [1]. Ask for the divisor, rounding rules and minimum charge for your quoted service; do not assume a single formula applies to every route.

An illustration, not a tariff

Consider a 40 × 30 × 30 cm box weighing 4 kg. If the agreed divisor is 5000, its volumetric weight is 7.2 kg; with a divisor of 4000, it is 9 kg. This is an arithmetic illustration. Final chargeable weight also depends on the service rules.

Same 40 × 30 × 30 cm parcel: illustrative calculation, not a tariff
Divisor (cm³/kg)Actual weightVolume ÷ divisorVolumetric weight
50004 kg36,000 ÷ 50007.2 kg
40004 kg36,000 ÷ 40009 kg

Compare the same packing requirements

Request a before-and-after repacking quote with the repacking fee shown separately. A gift box may need to stay intact, and fragile goods need protection. Compare the total and damage risk instead of only the per-kilogram rate. Retain the agreed quote and measurement photos before dispatch.

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