Volumetric weight
Volumetric weight (also called "dimensional weight") reflects the parcel density. In other terms, it corresponds to the space occupied by a parcel in relation to its actual weight.
I - Applicability
Shipping rates are based on the volumetric weight for:
- Air shipments for all carriers.
- Both road and air shipments for Chronopost (13h, 18h and Relais).
Except for Chronopost (13h, 18h, and Relais), volumetric weight doesn't apply to domestic shipments (metropolitan France).
II - Calculation
The volumetric weight is calculated as following:
The volumetric coefficient differs by carrier (check part III to have the volumetric coefficient for each carrier).
⚠️ Carriers apply the price corresponding to the volumetric weight if it is greater than the gross weight of the package.
Example 1:
- You want to ship a product measuring 45 x 20 x 15 cm and weighing 3 kg
- Your package measures 50 x 30 x 20 cm
- You are shipping with Colissimo International so the volumetric coefficient is 5000
Volumetric weight is calculated:
50*30*20=30 000
30 000/5000 = 6 → the volumetric weight is 6kg
6 is bigger than 3, so you will be charged for a 6kg shipment (and not 3kg).
Example 2:
- Your package measures 20 x 20 x 15 cm and weighs 2kg
- The volumetric coefficient is 5000
The volumetric weight is 20*20*15/5000 = 1.2 kg < 2 kg (gross weight) so you will be charged for a 6kg shipment (and not 3kg).
III - Volumetric coefficient
The volumetric coefficients that apply are listed below.
Chronopost (all services)
- Road Shipment: 10000
- Air Shipment: 5000
- Destinations subject to air shipment: Finland, Greece, Bulgaria, Liechtenstein, Norway
La Poste (Colissimo Access, Expert, Colissimo International)
- Air Shipment: 5000
- Destinations subject to air shipment: all overseas (Outre-Mer) and international destinations, except
Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
DHL Express
- Air Shipment: Volumetric coefficient = 5000
- Destinations subject to air shipment: all overseas (Outre-Mer) and international destinations
Colis Privé
Road shipment only, volumetric weight does not apply.
Mondial Relay
Road shipment only, volumetric weight does not apply.
B2C Europe
Road shipment only, so volumetric weight does not apply
Bpost
Road shipment only, so volumetric weight does not apply
DPD
Road shipment only, so volumetric weight does not apply
Geodis
Road shipment only, so volumetric weight does not apply