Why is billable weight sometimes higher than the scale weight?

The volumetric weight is the carton cube times 167 kg per cubic meter. Light freight is billed on that figure when it exceeds the actual kilograms.

Does double stacking always double the pallet count?

Only when the stackable control is on and two pallet levels fit under the internal height with 50 mm of clearance. A tall carton stays one high.

Is the payload limit a legal guarantee?

No. It is a planning limit for the selected box. Axle laws, the container tare, and the booking can be lower.

Pallet, Container CBM, and Dimensional Weight Calculator

Lay cartons on a pallet, then pack those pallets on the container floor. The plan shows slots, payload against the planning limit, and billable weight in the selected currency.

Formula SSC-2026.1

Floor grid · SSC-2026.1

Pallets on the floor

Double-stacked, two levels

Pallets in the box

1,080 cartons

Cargo volume

40.78 m³

1,440 ft³

Payload

34,000 lb

15,422 kg · limit 58,863 lb

Billable weight

34,000 lb

DIM 15,013 lb · actual 34,000 lb

Freight cost

$3,465.98

$3.21 per carton

Container floor planLive scaled blueprint

Each rectangle is one pallet slot on the floor. A second level uses the same footprint when the stackable toggle and the internal height both allow it.

Bill of materials and shopping list
Item	Net	Waste	Order	Unit price	Line total
US GMA 48×40 in pallets	20 floor	second level	40 pallets	Tare is included in payload	1,600 lb
Cartons	9 per layer	3 layers	1,080 cartons	30.0 lb each	32,400 lb
Freight	40.78 m³	DIM vs actual	34,000 lb	USD	$3,465.98

Side-by-side container comparison for this pallet and carton
Container	Floor slots	Pallets	m³	ft³	Payload	Limit	Freight
20 ft dry	9	18	18.35	648	15,300 lb	62,170 lb	$1,559.69
40 ft dry	20	40	40.78	1,440	34,000 lb	58,863 lb	$3,465.98
40 ft high cube	20	40	40.78	1,440	34,000 lb	58,422 lb	$3,465.98
53 ft US trailer	30	60	81.55	2,880	67,200 lb	45,000 lb	$6,931.96

Show the deterministic formula

Floor slots are a non-overlapping grid. The count is the better of one orientation, two orientations side by side, or repeated columns across the internal width. Euro 1200×800 mm resolves to 11 slots in a 20 ft dry container and 25 in a 40 ft dry container.

Cartons per pallet are the same grid on the pallet deck, times the layers that fit above a 150 mm deck and below the internal height, with 50 mm of clearance. Stackable freight uses two levels only when both levels fit.

Cargo volume is the carton cube. Volumetric weight is 167 kg per cubic meter. Billable weight is the greater of actual payload, including pallet tare, and volumetric weight. A per-cubic-meter rate uses the carton cube. A per-tonne or per-pound rate uses the billable weight. Payload limits are planning figures, not a carrier scale ticket.

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This sheet is an estimate for ordering and layout discussion. It is not a sealed design. Confirm the quantities with a licensed local professional and the authority having jurisdiction before you buy or build.

Engineering notes

Floor slots are a non-overlapping grid inside the published internal length and width. The better of a single orientation and a two-column mix is kept. A 1200 by 800 mm Euro pallet is 11 slots in a 20 ft dry container and 25 in a 40 ft dry container. Carton count is that slot count times the layers that fit above a 150 mm deck.

Volumetric weight uses 167 kg per cubic meter of carton cube. Billable weight is the greater of that figure and the actual payload, including pallet tare. Payload limits are planning numbers: typical ISO payloads for the dry boxes and 45,000 lb for the 53 ft trailer. They are not a booking confirmation.

Code reference

ISO internal planning dimensions for 20 ft and 40 ft dry containers, plus a 52 ft 6 in by 98.5 in US trailer interior. Confirm the carrier's payload and the IMDG or road limit before you book.

Field questions

Why is billable weight sometimes higher than the scale weight?: The volumetric weight is the carton cube times 167 kg per cubic meter. Light freight is billed on that figure when it exceeds the actual kilograms.
Does double stacking always double the pallet count?: Only when the stackable control is on and two pallet levels fit under the internal height with 50 mm of clearance. A tall carton stays one high.
Is the payload limit a legal guarantee?: No. It is a planning limit for the selected box. Axle laws, the container tare, and the booking can be lower.

Pallet, Container CBM, and Dimensional Weight Calculator

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Engineering notes

Code reference

Field questions

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