The calculator offers divisors of 5000 and 6000: which one applies to my shipment?
Use the divisor your carrier states in its terms or on your account's rate sheet for the service you will ship with, not the one that gives the lower weight. The two numbers in the list are common starting points only. Neither is tied to any carrier, and one carrier can use a different divisor for each service.
Where the divisor comes from
The divisor is the number a carrier divides a parcel's volume by to turn it into a weight. Its value is a commercial decision by that carrier, and you usually find it in the service terms, your business account agreement or the rate card they sent you. If you cannot find it, ask your account contact a direct question: which divisor applies to the service I use, and in which units?
Do not assume two carriers use the same number, or that one carrier's international and domestic services share it. When you switch service the number can change too, so check it again whenever you sign a new agreement.
How much the difference changes the weight
I ran two boxes through the calculator with both divisors as examples. In both, the actual weight is below the volumetric weight:
- A 50 × 40 × 30 cm box weighing 8 kg: with 5000 the chargeable weight is 12 kg (26.46 lb); with 6000 it is 10 kg (22.05 lb).
- A 60 × 40 × 40 cm box weighing 10 kg: with 5000 it is 19.2 kg; with 6000 it is 16 kg.
Notice the pattern. As long as volumetric weight applies, the 5000 result is always 20% higher than the 6000 one, because 6000 ÷ 5000 = 1.2. Pick the wrong number and your cost estimate is off by about a fifth of the weight, which is not small on a bulky parcel.
Entering it in the tool
- Open the Volumetric shipping-weight calculator and enter the packed carton's dimensions and actual weight.
- In the Divisor list, select the value your carrier gave you if it is there. The tool fills in the Divisor value and Divisor basis for you.
- If your carrier's number is not listed, type it in Divisor value and set its basis: cm³ per kg or in³ per lb.
- Read the Chargeable weight and Weight that applies, then try the other divisor if you want to see what is at stake.
When trying both divisors is useful
When you are comparing two carriers before signing. Run your most common box once with each carrier's divisor, then look up each resulting weight on that carrier's own price list. The tool knows no prices, but it gives you the weight to look up in each table. Once you settle on a carrier, build the shipping cost into your product price with the Selling-price calculator.
If your products are heavy for their size, the actual weight may apply under both divisors, and then the choice of divisor changes nothing on your invoice.
Common questions
Is 5000 the official divisor in the UAE or Saudi Arabia?
There is no single official divisor that the tool knows of. Each carrier sets its own number per service, so get it from them.
Why does the tool not pick the divisor for me?
It is not linked to any carrier or account, so it leaves the number to you and reminds you to check it.
Does the divisor change the actual weight?
No. It changes only the volumetric weight; the actual weight stays as you entered it.