CBM Calculator (China Freight)
CBM (cubic meter) calculator for sea and air freight from China. Enter carton dimensions and quantity to calculate total volume in m³, air-freight volumetric weight (167 kg/m³), and container fill percentage for 20-ft, 40-ft, and 40-ft HQ shipping containers. Built for Alibaba importers, freight forwarders, and Amazon FBA sellers planning shipments from China.
Regional Rule Context
China Rates and Rules
CBM = (L x W x H) / 1,000,000 when dimensions are in centimeters. Total CBM = CBM per carton x quantity. Sea LCL bills by CBM or metric ton (revenue ton rule). Air freight volumetric weight = CBM x 167 kg/m³ (IATA divisor 6,000 cm³/kg). Container capacity: 20-ft GP ~28 m³, 40-ft GP ~58 m³, 40-ft HQ ~68 m³.
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Result
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CBM (Cubic Meter) calculator for international freight from China. CBM is the universal billing unit for sea LCL shipments and feeds into container-vs-LCL decisions for imports from Alibaba, 1688, and Chinese factories. For air freight, volumetric weight (CBM x 167 kg/m³) sets the minimum chargeable weight using the IATA standard 6,000 cm³/kg divisor. Container capacity references: 20-ft GP holds about 28 m³ usable cargo, 40-ft GP about 58 m³, and 40-ft HQ (High Cube) about 68 m³. The practical thresholds are: under 15 m³ use LCL, 15 to 30 m³ compare LCL vs 20-ft FCL, above 30 m³ use 40-ft FCL.
Disclaimer: This calculator uses publicly available rules effective as of Jan 1, 2026 (version 1.0). Results are for informational purposes only. Always verify with official sources or a qualified professional. Last reviewed: Apr 23, 2026.
Formula
CBM (cubic meter) is the standard billing unit for sea LCL (Less than Container Load) freight from China. Multiply length x width x height in centimeters, divide by 1,000,000 to convert to cubic meters, then multiply by carton quantity.
China FAQs
How do I calculate CBM for China freight?
Multiply length x width x height in centimeters, divide by 1,000,000 to convert to cubic meters, then multiply by the number of cartons. For 60 x 40 x 30 cm cartons, each is 0.072 m³. One hundred cartons is 7.2 m³ CBM.
Will my shipment fit a 20-ft or 40-ft container?
20-ft GP container holds approximately 28 m³ usable. 40-ft GP holds about 58 m³. 40-ft HQ (High Cube) holds about 68 m³. Theoretical capacity is higher but practical packing leaves 10 to 20% empty due to carton shapes and bracing.
When should I switch from LCL to FCL?
Under 15 m³, LCL is usually cheapest thanks to consolidation with other cargo. Between 15 and 30 m³, compare against a 20-ft FCL quote (capacity 28 m³). Above 30 m³, 40-ft FCL almost always beats LCL because FCL avoids LCL destination charges (CFS fees, deconsolidation), which can be 30 to 50 USD per CBM.
How does air freight billing differ from sea?
Sea LCL bills by CBM or metric ton, whichever is greater (revenue ton). Air freight bills by chargeable weight, the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight (CBM x 167 kg/m³). A 1 m³ shipment of pillows still bills at 167 kg minimum on air even if it weighs only 30 kg.
Do Chinese factories measure carton size accurately?
Factories often over-pack with foam and cardboard that inflate outer carton dimensions by 5 to 15% beyond product size. Always measure the outer master carton including reinforcement flaps and top handles. Ask your supplier for the packing list (pack specs) which lists master-carton dimensions and net/gross weight.
Is this calculator accurate for USA Amazon FBA prep?
Yes for the CBM and volumetric weight math. For FBA specifically, also check inbound shipment limits and per-unit prep requirements. Amazon has its own box and pallet specifications that sit on top of the freight CBM calculation.
Can I embed this CBM Calculator (China Freight) on my website?
Yes. Click the "Embed" button at the top of this page to customize the size, colors, and theme, then copy the iframe code. Paste it into any HTML page, WordPress site, or CMS. It is completely free, requires no signup, and works on all devices. You can also visit our embed guide at calculory.com/services/embed-calculators for more details.
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