Air transportation has become an indispensable part of the logistics chain of multinational enterprises due to its speed and efficiency. Especially for goods that are sensitive to time and have high value, air transportation is the preferred logistics method. However, the cost of air transportation is relatively high compared to other transportation methods. How to accurately provide quotations to customers and how to reasonably control transportation costs has become a problem that many freight forwarding companies and exporters need to carefully consider. This article will delve into the distinguishing standards between "heavy cargo" and "bubble cargo" in air transportation, as well as how to reduce transportation costs through effective packaging strategies and other methods.

The distinction between heavy goods and bubble goods

In the air transportation industry, goods are divided into "Dead Weight Cargo" and "Volume Cargo" or "Light Weight Cargo" based on their weight to volume ratio. The main basis for distinguishing these two types of goods is the comparison between the volumetric weight and actual weight of the goods.

The actual weight refers to the physical weight of the goods themselves, which is directly obtained through weighing.

Volume weight refers to the limited capacity of aircraft cargo holds. For goods that occupy a large space but are light in weight, airlines will calculate their transportation costs based on volume. The calculation formula for volumetric weight is generally: volumetric weight (kilograms)=cargo volume (cubic meters) ÷ specific coefficient. The international standard coefficient is usually 0.006 cubic meters per kilogram.

Based on this, when the volumetric weight of the goods is greater than their actual weight, the goods are considered "soaked goods", and vice versa, they are considered "heavy goods".

The impact of heavy and soaked goods on shipping costs

The freight for air transportation is calculated based on the chargeable weight of the goods, with the chargeable weight taking the larger value between the actual weight and the volumetric weight. Therefore, for bubble cargo with large volume and light actual weight, air freight will be relatively higher due to its large volume and weight; For small but heavy goods, they will be charged based on their actual weight.

Board making strategy and its impact on shipping costs

The palletizing strategy refers to the optimization operation when loading goods onto air transport pallets (or containers), including reasonable stacking and fixation of goods to maximize the use of cargo hold space while ensuring safe transportation of goods.

1. Effectively utilizing space: Following the principle of "heavy at the bottom, light at the top, and no pressure on the small" to provide stable support and reduce space waste.

2. Reasonably match goods: Match large but light cargo with heavy and small cargo to fully utilize the effective load capacity of the aircraft.

3. Control onboard balance: Ensure the stability of the aircraft after loading and avoid flight safety issues caused by uneven distribution of cargo.

4. Follow industry regulations: Operate in accordance with the safety and operational standards of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to ensure that the cargo is securely secured.

How to reduce air transportation costs for enterprises

1. Optimize packaging: reduce unnecessary packaging space and avoid additional costs caused by excessive volume and weight.

2. Choose a direct flight: Direct flights can reduce transfer costs and potential risks, and shorten transportation time.

3. Charter flight service: For large quantities of goods, consider charter flight service. Although the initial investment is high, the total cost is controllable.

4. Advance booking: Book goods in advance to obtain better cabin space and prices.

5. Pay attention to market trends: Seize the opportunity of airline off-season or special promotions to book seats and get discounted prices.

Through the implementation of the above strategies, foreign trade enterprises can not only effectively distinguish between heavy cargo and bubble cargo, but also significantly reduce the total cost of air transportation, improve logistics efficiency and safety through reasonable palletizing operations and cost control strategies.