Foreign-trade Glossary + Calculators
Measurement
Gross Weight
The total weight of goods plus all packaging and pallets — the basis for chargeable-weight comparison and document declarations.
Gross weight (G.W.) is the combined weight of the goods plus all inner and outer packaging plus pallets/dunnage. It contrasts with net weight (the goods alone) and tare (packaging and pallets), related by gross = net + tare.
Key points:
- The "actual weight" used in chargeable-weight comparison is the gross weight, not net; air/courier takes max(gross, volumetric).
- Packing lists, bills of lading, and commercial invoices usually state both gross and net, and these must match the actual scale reading to avoid inspection or amendment.
- When shipping on pallets, pallet weight counts toward gross weight and also affects the air chargeable weight.
Common pitfall: quoting freight on net weight underestimates it; if pallet weight is omitted, a destination re-weigh leads to re-billing. Weigh the fully packed unit for gross weight and keep it consistent with declared documents.
FAQ
- What's the difference between gross, net, and tare weight?
- Net is the goods alone, tare is packaging plus pallets, and gross = net + tare. Freight comparison uses gross; customs sometimes looks at net.
- Is the 'actual weight' in chargeable weight the gross or net?
- It's the gross weight. Air/courier bills on max(gross, volumetric) rounded up; using net underestimates and triggers re-billing.
Related terms
Sources: https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/ · https://www.maersk.com/logistics-explained