A Detailed Explanation of the Minimum Weight Requirement for Small Air Freight Parcels: No More Confusion
Air freight, known for its speed and efficiency, occupies an important position in international logistics, especially for small parcels with high – time – sensitivity requirements. However, the minimum weight requirement for small air freight parcels often confuses many people. A thorough understanding of this rule can help us better plan air freight logistics and avoid unnecessary cost expenditures.
The establishment of the minimum weight requirement for small air freight parcels is mainly based on the operating characteristics and cost structure of aircraft. Aircraft operations incur high costs, including fuel expenses, airport landing fees, and crew salaries. To cover these costs, airlines usually set a minimum weight requirement. Additionally, aircraft have limited load – bearing capacity and cargo space, and a reasonable minimum weight requirement helps optimize cargo loading, ensuring that the aircraft achieves maximum economic benefits within a safe load range.
Minimum weight standards vary among different airlines and routes. Generally, the minimum weight requirement for domestic routes is relatively low, possibly ranging from 1 to 5 kilograms. In contrast, international routes, due to longer distances and higher costs, usually have a minimum weight requirement of around 5 to 10 kilograms. Moreover, the minimum weight policies of low – cost airlines and cargo charter companies also differ. For instance, some low – cost airlines offer lower minimum weight requirements to attract more customers but may charge for additional services.
To understand the minimum weight requirement for small air freight parcels, it is also necessary to grasp its relationship with volumetric weight. Since aircraft cargo space is limited, airlines calculate freight based not only on the actual weight of the goods but also on the volumetric weight. The formula for calculating volumetric weight is usually length × width × height (in centimeters) ÷ 6000 (some airlines use different coefficients such as 5000). When the volumetric weight of the goods exceeds the actual weight, airlines will charge according to the volumetric weight. If both the actual weight and volumetric weight of a small parcel do not meet the minimum weight requirement, the charge will be based on the minimum weight. Mastering these rules allows us to make more informed decisions when choosing air freight services, arrange packaging and transportation methods reasonably, and reduce logistics costs, ensuring that small air freight parcel transportation is no longer perplexing.