Article Summary: #

Unlike air shipping, CBM (Cubic Meter) is how we calculate shipping charges for sea shipping. Here’s how it works and how it affects your shipping costs.

Air shipping is calculated by the weight of the goods after consolidation and packing. But that is not the case for goods to be shipped through sea especially to Africa.

What is CBM? #

CBM stands for Cubic Meter, the standard unit for measuring volume in sea freight.

Formula:
📐 CBM = (Length × Width × Height in meters)

When Is CBM Calculated? #

• After consolidation is completed

• All your packages are measured as one unit

• Your dashboard updates with your final CBM value

Weight doesn’t matter in sea shipping — volume is what counts.

 How Does It Affect My Shipping Fee? #

• Shipping rate = CBM × Sea Freight Rate + clearing fee (for Nigerian goods)

• Larger CBM = higher cost

• Consolidating reduces CBM → reduces cost

Example: #

If your total consolidated shipment is:

• 0.45m × 0.5m × 0.4m

• = 0.09 CBM

If rate = $100/CBM, you pay = $9

Sadly, if you are buying from too many suppliers and smaller items that need to be consolidated, you won’t know the cbm until they are consolidated.

A good buyer practice is to reach out to sellers or check product’s information,specification for the dimensions. You could see some values like 100mm x 90mm x 300mm.

This indicates the dimesnion of the packaging. You can get the cost to weigh the value and the landing cost.

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Tips to Reduce CBM Charges #

• Consolidate all parcels (we offer this free!)

• Avoid bulky packaging

• Avoid buying longer items whose value doesn’t worth it. They add cbm

• Request repacking if your suppliers use large boxes

• Group shipments instead of sending multiple small ones

• Avoid buying big items that have no value.