Definition
The total weight of the cargo including its packaging, pallets, and any container or unit load device.
Gross weight is the combined weight of the goods plus all packing — cartons, pallets, dunnage, and the container or ULD where relevant — as opposed to net weight, which is the goods alone. It is declared on the packing list and transport documents.
Accurate gross weight matters for safe loading, vessel stability, and the verified gross mass (VGM) required before a container is shipped. It is also one input, alongside volumetric weight, into the chargeable weight calculation.
Related terms
Chargeable Weight
The weight freight is billed on — the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight.
Volumetric Weight
A notional weight derived from a shipment’s volume, used to charge bulky, low-density cargo fairly.
Packing List
A document itemizing the contents, weights, and dimensions of each package in a shipment.
Built for freight forwarders
Turn these terms into a working pricing engine.
Freightools structures your tariffs, quotes on margin in seconds, and gives your customers self-service quoting. Book a demo to see it on your lanes.