20kg Volumetric Weight Waiver for Air Freight
What Is Volumetric Weight?
International air freight is normally charged based on two different types of weight:
Actual weight is the physical weight shown when the parcel is placed on a weighing scale.
Volumetric weight is calculated based on the amount of cargo space occupied by the shipment. A commonly used formula is:
Length × Width × Height (cm) ÷ 6,000 = Volumetric Weight (kg)
Aircraft cargo space is limited. Some shipments may be lightweight but bulky, meaning they occupy more space in the aircraft. For this reason, airlines and freight operators generally compare the actual weight with the volumetric weight and use the higher figure as the chargeable weight.
For example:
A parcel has an actual weight of 10kg and measures 60cm × 50cm × 40cm.
The volumetric weight is:
60 × 50 × 40 ÷ 6,000 = 20kg
Under a standard air freight charging method, the shipment would normally be charged based on 20kg instead of its actual weight of 10kg.
The difference between the actual weight and the volumetric weight is commonly referred to as volumetric excess or volumetric weight difference.
What Does ''20kg Volumetric Weight Waiver'' Mean?
The 20kg volumetric weight waiver is a special air freight arrangement available for eligible shipments that meet the requirements of the selected shipping channel.
When the volumetric weight is higher than the actual weight, part of the additional volumetric weight may be waived according to the applicable channel rules. This helps reduce the additional freight charges caused by bulky packaging.
This arrangement is particularly suitable for lightweight but bulky items, such as:
Clothing, shoes, bags, toys, plastic products, household goods, daily-use products and other low-density cargo.
However, a 20kg volumetric weight waiver does not mean that all shipments below 20kg will automatically be charged according to actual weight only.
It also does not mean that parcels of any size will qualify for the waiver.
The final chargeable weight will still depend on several factors, including:
The actual weight, volumetric weight, parcel dimensions, individual piece size, cargo category, delivery location, carrier requirements and current flight-handling conditions.
Oversized, unusually shaped, non-stackable or specially handled cargo may not qualify for the waiver. Additional charges may apply for oversized, overlength or special-handling shipments.
The final chargeable weight can only be confirmed after the cargo arrives at the warehouse and the actual weight and dimensions have been measured.
How Is Air Freight Weight Calculated?
Our air freight service has a minimum charge of 1kg for the first kilogram.
Any remaining weight is calculated in increments of 0.5kg.
The charging method is as follows:
Up to 1.0kg: charged as 1.0kg.
1.1kg to 1.5kg: charged as 1.5kg.
1.6kg to 2.0kg: charged as 2.0kg.
2.1kg to 2.5kg: charged as 2.5kg.
2.6kg to 3.0kg: charged as 3.0kg.
For example, if the final chargeable weight of a shipment is 2.1kg, the freight charge will be calculated based on 2.5kg, not 3kg.
Compared with a charging method that rounds every shipment up to the next full kilogram, calculation in 0.5kg increments is more reasonable for small parcels and helps reduce unnecessary rounding charges.
Please note that the above calculation is based on the final chargeable weight after applying the relevant channel rules.
Where volumetric weight applies, the actual weight and volumetric weight will first be compared. The final chargeable weight will then be determined according to the applicable 20kg volumetric weight waiver conditions.
General Cargo and Sensitive Cargo Channels
We can arrange either a general cargo channel or a sensitive cargo channel, depending on the nature of the goods.
General Cargo
General cargo normally refers to goods that do not contain batteries, liquids, powders, magnetic materials or other restricted components, and that do not require special air transport handling.
Common examples include:
Clothing, shoes, bags, household goods, plastic products, hardware parts, ordinary electronic accessories, stationery and daily-use products without batteries.
General cargo can usually be shipped through a standard air freight channel with a more straightforward handling process.
Sensitive Cargo
Sensitive cargo refers to goods that may require special declaration, packaging, documentation or a designated air freight channel.
Common examples include:
Battery-powered products, products with built-in batteries, liquids, creams, cosmetics, skincare products, food products, powders, magnetic items and certain branded goods.
Sensitive cargo is not necessarily prohibited cargo.
Provided that the goods comply with transport requirements and are declared accurately before shipment, we can assess the cargo and arrange a suitable sensitive cargo channel where available.
Depending on the product category, customers may be required to provide product photographs, ingredient details, an MSDS, transport safety documents or other supporting information.
All requirements remain subject to the latest regulations imposed by the airline, customs authorities and appointed carriers.
Prohibited items cannot be accepted for shipment. These may include:
Lighters, cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, flammable or explosive materials, compressed gases, hazardous chemicals, toxic substances and any other goods prohibited under air transport regulations.
Customers must accurately declare the product name, quantity, intended use, cargo value and whether the goods contain batteries, liquids, powders, magnetic components or other special materials.
Any loss, penalty, return, customs detention, disposal or additional charge resulting from false declaration, incomplete declaration, concealed cargo or prohibited items will be the responsibility of the cargo owner.
Parcel Repacking and Packaging Reduction Service
Some suppliers in China use oversized cartons, excessive fillers or multiple layers of courier packaging to protect their products.
While this may provide additional protection, it can also increase the parcel dimensions, resulting in a higher volumetric weight and higher air freight charges.
After the goods arrive at our China warehouse, we may provide unpacking, repacking and packaging optimisation services, depending on the condition and nature of the cargo.
Where appropriate, our warehouse team may:
Remove unnecessary outer cartons;
Reduce excessive foam or filler materials;
Combine several smaller parcels into one carton;
Rearrange the goods more efficiently;
Replace oversized packaging with a more suitable carton or courier bag.
The purpose of this service is to reduce unnecessary packaging volume while maintaining reasonable cargo protection.
It does not mean that all protective materials will be removed.
For fragile, high-value, glass, electronic or easily deformed products, transportation safety will remain the priority.
Where reducing the packaging may increase the risk of damage, we may recommend retaining the original packaging, adding protective materials, reinforcing the parcel or using a wooden crate.
Additional charges may apply for repacking materials, reinforced packaging, wooden crating, palletisation or other special handling services.
The final recommendation will depend on the actual condition of the shipment.
Estimated Air Freight Transit Time
Under normal operating conditions, the estimated air freight transit time from the China warehouse to the recipient’s address is approximately:
3 to 7 working days
This estimated transit time may include flight transportation, import customs clearance, cargo sorting and final-mile delivery within Malaysia.
Working days exclude Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays in China and Malaysia.
The estimated transit time of 3 to 7 working days is provided as a general reference and is not a guaranteed delivery commitment.
Delays may occur due to circumstances including:
Remote-area delivery;
Flight delays, cancellations or schedule changes;
Adverse weather conditions or natural disasters;
Limited air cargo capacity or sudden increases in shipment volume;
Enhanced inspections by China export customs or Malaysia import customs;
Incomplete or additional customs documentation requirements;
Sensitive cargo requiring a designated flight or special handling channel;
Public holidays, promotional periods or peak shipping seasons;
Incomplete delivery details, an unreachable recipient or unsuccessful delivery attempts.
Where a shipment is selected for customs inspection, the inspection and release period will be determined by the relevant government authority and cannot be controlled by the logistics provider.
Shipment Tracking
Once the goods arrive at our China warehouse, they will be processed according to the applicable operational procedures.
This may include:
Warehouse receiving;
Weight and dimension measurement;
Cargo classification;
Shipment arrangement;
Air freight handover;
Arrival in Malaysia;
Import customs clearance;
Local sorting;
Final-mile delivery;
Successful delivery.
Customers may check the available shipment status after the cargo has been processed and handed over for transportation.
Please note that international freight tracking may not update as frequently as domestic courier tracking.
During flight transportation, customs processing or cargo handover, there may be periods where no new tracking status is shown.
A temporary lack of tracking updates does not necessarily mean that the shipment has been delayed or lost.
Where the tracking status remains unchanged for an extended period, we will assist in checking with the relevant airline, freight operator or local delivery company.
Nationwide Delivery Across Malaysia
After the shipment arrives in Malaysia and completes customs clearance and sorting, final-mile delivery will be arranged based on the delivery address, cargo dimensions, shipment weight and local service availability.
Depending on the shipment requirements, delivery may be arranged through:
GDEX
DHL
ABX
Delivery coverage is available across major areas in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
The appointed carrier will be selected based on the recipient’s postcode, shipment dimensions, shipment weight, delivery capability and current operational arrangements.
The carrier may not always be selected by the customer.
Remote areas, islands, restricted locations or addresses outside the standard service coverage may be subject to:
Longer delivery times;
Remote-area surcharges;
Alternative carrier arrangements;
Collection from a designated service point.
Oversized, overweight, overlength or bulky shipments that cannot be handled by a standard courier vehicle may require delivery by lorry or a specialised transport arrangement.
Any additional delivery charges and handling requirements will be confirmed according to the actual shipment details.
Important Notice
All quotations are prepared based on the product details, weight, dimensions, quantity, cargo category and delivery address provided by the customer.
Any freight amount provided before the goods arrive at the warehouse should be treated as an estimated charge.
The final freight charge will be determined based on the actual weight, actual dimensions, cargo category, packaging condition, applicable shipping channel and carrier assessment.
The 20kg volumetric weight waiver, sensitive cargo acceptance, transit time and local delivery arrangements may be adjusted due to changes in airline requirements, flight availability, customs regulations, cargo category, peak-season arrangements or carrier operating conditions.
Different shipments may be subject to different transport conditions.
The final shipping arrangement, chargeable weight and freight charge will be based on the latest channel requirements, warehouse assessment and confirmed quotation at the time of shipment.
Malaysia
