CBM & Landed Cost Calculator
Enter your cartons — get volume, chargeable weight, freight, duties and total landed cost to your country. Free, instant, no signup.
Example: 50 × 40 × 40 cm, 15 kg
Reference estimates only — final cost depends on exact HS code, declared value, pickup city and live rates. Ask us for an exact, all-in quote.
＊ Reference price — market rates fluctuate weekly. WhatsApp us for today's exact rate.💬 WhatsApp us now
Get an exact quote for United States →How to calculate CBM
- 1. Measure the carton in centimeters — length × width × height.
- 2. Multiply the dimensions: 50 × 40 × 40 cm = 80,000 cm³.
- 3. Divide by 1,000,000 to get CBM per carton: 0.08 CBM.
- 4. Multiply by quantity: 100 cartons × 0.08 = 8 CBM total.
Volumetric weight — why it matters
Carriers charge by whichever is heavier: actual weight or volumetric weight. For air freight, volumetric weight = CBM × 1,000,000 ÷ 6,000 (≈167 kg). Our 8 CBM shipment above “weighs” 1,333 kg by air even if the scale says 400 kg — so air quotes use 1,333 kg. That's why big-but-light cargo almost always goes by sea.
LCL vs FCL vs Air vs Express
| Method | Best for | Watch out |
|---|---|---|
| Express | < 0.5 CBM, samples, urgent | Most expensive per kg |
| Air | < 2 CBM, time-sensitive | Volumetric weight can surprise you |
| Sea LCL | 0.5–10 CBM, budget priority | Destination CFS fees (often $30–60/CBM extra) |
| Sea FCL | > 20 CBM | Wasted space below ~10 CBM |
Between 15–25 CBM, ask for both LCL and a 20ft container quote — with destination fees included, full containers often win earlier than buyers expect.
Why chargeable weight matters for your wallet
- ✓ Fair pricing — carriers balance weight vs space, so light cargo pays by volume
- ✓ Optimized costs — knowing your chargeable weight stops you picking the wrong mode
- ✓ No surprises — our quotes list the basis (CBM or chargeable kg) explicitly
Reference freight rates from China
| Destination | Sea LCL (per CBM) | Air (per kg) | Sea transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | $80–$160＊ | $5–$8＊ | 25–35 days |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | $75–$150＊ | $4–$8＊ | 28–40 days |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | $75–$150＊ | $4–$8＊ | 28–38 days |
| 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | $45–$90＊ | $4–$6＊ | 18–28 days |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | $55–$110＊ | $4–$7＊ | 22–32 days |
| 🇳🇬 Nigeria | $85–$150＊ | $5–$9＊ | 35–50 days |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | $90–$170＊ | $5–$8＊ | 25–38 days |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | $100–$175＊ | $6–$9＊ | 30–45 days |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | $110–$165＊ | $6–$10＊ | 38–55 days |
| 🇨🇱 Chile | $100–$155＊ | $6–$9＊ | 35–50 days |
| 🇫🇷 France | $75–$150＊ | $4–$8＊ | 28–38 days |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | $75–$150＊ | $4–$8＊ | 28–40 days |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | $75–$150＊ | $4–$8＊ | 30–42 days |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | $75–$150＊ | $4–$8＊ | 28–38 days |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | $55–$95＊ | $4–$7＊ | 18–30 days |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | $40–$80＊ | $3–$6＊ | 10–18 days |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | $35–$70＊ | $3–$6＊ | 8–15 days |
| 🇰🇪 Kenya | $95–$160＊ | $5–$9＊ | 30–45 days |
Reference ranges checked September 2026 — live rates change weekly; ask for today's price. LCL figures are ocean base — destination CFS adds $30–60/CBM on most lanes (listed in every quote we send).
＊ Reference price — market rates fluctuate weekly. WhatsApp us for today's exact rate.💬 WhatsApp us now
Calculator FAQ
+How accurate are the estimates?
The math is exact; the rates are reference ranges. Your final quote uses today's live rate, your exact HS code and pickup city — request it and you'll have it within hours.
+Does the estimate include customs clearance?
Duties and taxes are estimated by category. Customs brokerage itself is included in our DDP service, or quoted separately on FOB terms.
+What about hidden LCL destination fees?
That's the industry's favorite trick — an $80/CBM ocean rate that arrives with $60/CBM of CFS charges. Our quotes list destination fees in writing before you book.
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