How many times in your life have you dealt with the topic of the chargeable weight of your shipment with carriers? Everything will not always have been made clear to you, while a considerable weight is covered with taxes and costs that you or your customers face daily

We plan to sort out any concerns you may have by helping you to understand and teaching you to calculate the chargeable weight, depending on the type of shipment you are making so that you are not unaware of the facts in this matter. The premise, although trivial, is that the volumetric space is calculated by multiplying the three measurements length, width and height of each carton or package sent. The result is divided by the ratio applied to the individual type of delivery that varies according to whether it is shipped by air, sea, land or courier.

This result will be compared to the gross weight of the goods. The highest weight between the gross (real) weight and the one obtained from the calculation will be the one taken as the weight to be considered for the shipment.

Here are the weight / volume ratios.

• For air cargo: The volume to weight ratio is very simple, for every cubic metre of space a weight of 167 kg (formula: 1 CBM = 167 kg) is estimated, but if the weight exceeds the estimated weight, taxation will be applied on the actual weight. Example: 5 parcels with a total weight of 250 kg single item size of 60x70x80 cm. Shipment volume will be calculated as 5 x 60 x 70 x 80 = 1.68 m3 The chargeable weight will be 1.68 m3 x 167 = 280.56 Thus the cost of shipping will be calculated on the chargeable weight of 280.56 kg.
• For sea cargo: (In the case of LCL) the tax is applied per cubic metre or per ton according to the ratio: 1 cubic metre = 1 ton, (expressed in W / M formula). That will multiply the rate for the volume if in absolute terms the value in cubic metres is greater than the value in tons and vice versa for the weight if the value in tons is greater than that measured in cubic metres. Example: 8 packages with a total weight of 2200 kg individual packet size 120 x 80 x 150 cm The volume of the shipment will be determined as = 8 x 120 x 80 x 150 = 11.52 m3. The chargeable weight will thus be 11.52 m3 x 1000 kg = 11520 kg that is greater than 2200 kg. Thus the cost of shipping will be calculated on the chargeable weight of 11520 kg.
• For overland transport: In general, in the case of truck shipments, the tax is applied per cubic meter or kilogram according to the ratio:1 cubic metre = 300 kg. That will multiply the rate for the volume if in absolute terms the value in cubic metres is greater than the value in kilograms and vice versa for the weight if the value in kilograms is greater than that measured in cubic metres. Example: 5 parcels with a total weight of 700 kg with the size of each package 120 x 80 x 100 cm The shipment volume is determined as 5 x 120 x80 x 100 = 4.80 m3 The chargeable weight will be 4.80 m3 x 300 = 1,440 kg Thus the cost of shipping will be calculated on the chargeable weight of 1440 kg. Courier shipments need to be considered differently as they often differ depending on the carrier concerned. We hope we were able to make all this all bit less obscure but if you require further clarification, please contact us, our staff are always at your disposal.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the U.S. government agency that regulates the products that are marketed in the United States, from food to ethical medicines.

The FDA reports to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The primary objective of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to protect and safeguard the safety and health of citizens by issuing rules and principles of control, regarding the marketing of products, which are investigated according to rigorous processes, including: medicines, foods, supplements and food additives, animal feed and veterinary drugs, medical devices and equipment (including glasses), blood and blood products for transfusion, and cosmetics. Instruments used for control include both pre-marketing assessments and postmarketing monitoring.

For this reason, the first step for any company that intends to export to the United States is FDA registration, which is valid for the calendar year (so regardless of the registration date, it runs out on December 31st).
Until 2012, registration for glasses manufacturers had no cost, but in 2013 the Obama administration put glasses on the same level as medical devices. The cost for 2022 was $ 5,546.00. For 2023, the total cost increased to $ 6,493.00 and for 2024 it has been set at $ 7,653.00.

In order to register, companies must appoint a “representative” based in the States, who the FDA will refer to in case of any problems.
At the end of the registration (which can be done online) you will receive your so-called FDA number, which will be specified in the documentation that your US broker will submit to US Customs and allow your good to be cleared.

In addition to the registration of the manufacturer, the recipient must also be registered with the FDA and declare who the manufacturer is.
To date, however, there are some exceptions for authorised practitioners who create or modify a medical device, which is also applied to stores and similar outlets that make direct sales to the final consumer (Direct Sales Under 21 CFR 807.65)

The matter is, however, very complex and intricate, as there are exceptions and inconsistencies depending on the customs officer and the customs through which the goods enter the United States. If you would like any further information, all CTI staff is at your full disposal, including the support of our agent who can also act as an FDA representative.

From 1 October 2018, new regulations will come into force for the import of packaging and wood products from these countries

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