Shipping Cost Calculator
Estimate freight costs by air, sea, or courier — with volumetric weight and transit time
Shipment Details
Volumetric Weight Explained
Airlines and courier companies charge based on the higher of actual weight vs volumetric weight. Sea freight is charged per CBM (cubic metre).
What is a Shipping Cost Calculator for Exporters?
The Shipping Cost Calculator is a free tool that helps Indian exporters estimate their freight costs by air, sea, or courier before booking a shipment. By entering cargo weight, dimensions, destination, and shipment mode, you get an instant cost estimate along with volumetric (dimensional) weight — helping you decide the most cost-effective way to ship your export cargo.
Freight is often the second-largest cost in an export order after the product itself. Getting an early estimate helps you price your FOB or CIF quote accurately, choose the right Incoterm, and negotiate better with freight forwarders.
Air Freight vs Sea Freight vs Courier — Which Mode to Choose?
| Mode | Cost | Transit Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Freight | High (₹200–600/kg) | 1–5 days | Urgent, high-value, perishable goods |
| Sea Freight (FCL) | Low (₹15,000–80,000/container) | 15–45 days | Full container loads, heavy/bulk goods |
| Sea Freight (LCL) | Medium (₹800–2000/CBM) | 20–50 days | Small shipments not filling a full container |
| Courier (DHL/FedEx) | Very high (₹400–1200/kg) | 2–7 days | Samples, documents, small parcels under 30kg |
What is Volumetric Weight and Why Does It Matter?
Airlines and couriers charge based on whichever is higher — actual weight or volumetric (dimensional) weight. Volumetric weight is calculated as:
Example: A box of 60×40×30 cm weighs only 5 kg actual but has a volumetric weight of 12 kg. The airline charges you for 12 kg. For sea freight, the equivalent calculation uses CBM (cubic meters), and LCL charges are per CBM or per tonne, whichever is higher. Always compute both before booking to avoid billing surprises.
How to Use the Shipping Cost Calculator
- Select the shipping mode — Air, Sea FCL, Sea LCL, or Courier.
- Enter cargo details — actual gross weight in kg and box/pallet dimensions (length × width × height in cm).
- Select the destination country — rates vary significantly by region.
- Enter number of packages if you are shipping multiple boxes.
- Click Calculate — get volumetric weight, chargeable weight, and estimated freight cost range.
- Use the estimate to get a quotation from your freight forwarder and compare options.
Tips to Reduce Your Shipping Costs
- Optimise packaging — reduce dead air space in boxes to minimise volumetric weight
- Consolidate shipments — combine multiple small orders into one LCL or FCL shipment to reduce per-unit cost
- Book in advance — spot rates spike before peak seasons (Oct–Dec); advance booking saves 20–30%
- Use LCL for small orders — don't book a full 20ft container when LCL is more economical
- Negotiate rate contracts — if you ship regularly, negotiate annual rate contracts with shipping lines or consolidators
- Consider FOB vs CIF — letting the buyer arrange freight (FOB) shifts the cost and risk to them, which may make your price more competitive