WHAT IS DIMENSIONAL WEIGHT AND HOW CAN DIMENSIONERS OPTIMIZE SHIPPING?

In order to more accurately reflect billable weight, large carriers such as FedEx®, UPS® and DHL® are determining shipment pricing based on either dimensional weight or actual weight—whichever is greater.
Dimensional weight, often referred to as dim weight, reflects the package’s density—the amount of space the package utilizes in relation to its weight. To determine dim weight, a package’s length, width and height are multiplied, resulting in its cubic size, and then divided by 139.

When lightweight items are shipped in large packages, carriers can reach maximum volumetric capacity in their shipping containers far before reaching weight capacities. To better maximize carrier capacity and efficiency, dim weight policies prompt shippers to more efficiently package their items with less wasted space. Companies who ship packages without properly calculating dim weight could pay increased shipping costs from miscalculated dimensions or freight compliance issues.

How can businesses ensure freight compliance and deter revenue-loss from miscalculated dimensions, without adding extra time? Incorporate a dimensioning system into the shipping process. Dimensioners use sensing and imaging technology to calculate the dimensions of packages to determine dim weight. They provide valuable solutions to ensure companies optimize dim weight shipping with accurate package dimensions— all without slowing processes.