DIM Weight and Surcharges

DIM Weight is short for Dimensional Weight. It’s a billing method that uses the total volume of a package (Length x Width x Height) to calculate shipping costs instead of using the package's actual weight. This article aims to provide clarity on how Dimensional Weight impacts shipping costs.

Understanding How Dimensional Weight Impacts Shipping Costs
DIM Surcharges in the US
DIM Surcharges in Canada
Important Notes

Understanding How Dimensional Weight Impacts Shipping Costs

Shipping costs are based on whichever is greater: The physical weight of the package or the dimensional weight. 

• If the DIM weight is greater than the actual weight, DIM weight is used instead of the package’s actual weight.
• If the package volume is less than 1 cubic foot and the package weight is less than 1lb, then the DIM weight is ignored.
• For US Domestic and Canada services packages, we will use a 166 divisor to calculate dimensionally.

DIM Surcharges in the US

• When packages are over certain dimensions, carriers charge LVK (the shipper) additional fees. This has been called an “oversize charge” in the past.
  
• If DIM weight is greater than the actual weight, DIM weight is used instead of the package’s actual weight.

NOTE: If the package volume is less than 1 cubic foot and the package weight is less than 1lb, then DIM weight is ignored.

• If these surcharges or any other carrier surcharges apply to the shipment, they will be charged to the UCS (unexpected carrier surcharge) invoice, available on the LVK platform > Invoices.

DIM Surcharges in Canada

• When packages are over certain dimensions, carriers charge LVK (the shipper) additional fees.
• The additional DIM surcharges are applied, and the fuel surcharge is applied on top of the DIM surcharge.

Example

If the shipment costs $10 and the oversized charge is $30, the Fuel surcharge is rated off of the total $40.

• If these surcharges or any other carrier surcharges apply to the shipment, they will be charged to the UCS (unexpected carrier surcharge) invoice, available on the SFAPP platform > Invoices.