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HOW TO CALCULATE ROAD FREIGHT BY KG, CBM AND FULL TRUCK
The same road shipment may be quoted per kilogram, per cubic metre or as a full-truck trip. Comparing only the headline unit rate—without checking chargeable weight, density conversion, usable vehicle capacity, stops and inclusions—can make the apparently cheapest option the most expensive in total. This article explains the required inputs, calculation logic and a practical comparison framework for like-for-like road freight quotations.
QUICK FACTS
Common for denser groupage. The billable basis may be the higher of actual weight and volumetric weight under the carrier’s own density rule.
Common for light, bulky freight. Use external packed dimensions, including pallets, required voids and rounding rules.
Usually tied to vehicle type, route, trip scope, stops and waiting—not simply kilograms multiplied by a rate.
Road-freight density ratios vary by carrier and market. The quotation controls the conversion.
SCOPE OF APPLICATION
This article covers domestic and cross-border road movements using groupage, pallet, part-load and full-truck models. It supports budgeting, RFQ preparation and quotation comparison.
- It does not set prices for dangerous goods, temperature-controlled cargo, live animals, abnormal loads or permit-required movements.
- It does not assume customs, border, insurance, loading or destination services are included.
- Permissible payload must be checked against vehicle documents, axle limits, road restrictions and actual loading—not only the commercial label “5-ton truck”.
KEY TERMS
| Term | Meaning | Pricing role |
|---|---|---|
| Actual Weight | Gross packed weight, including pallets. | One input to chargeable weight and vehicle selection. |
| Volumetric Weight | Weight converted from space occupied. | Reflects density; the factor is carrier-specific. |
| Chargeable Weight | The weight used for billing. | First compare actual weight with volumetric weight. Include a minimum in the weight calculation only where the quotation states a minimum billable weight in kilograms; a monetary minimum charge is handled at the amount-calculation stage. |
| CBM | Cubic metre: length × width × height in metres. | Used directly or converted to chargeable weight. |
| LDM – Loading Meter | Truck-floor length occupied. | Relevant for non-stackable pallets and floor-space cargo. |
| PTL/LTL | Part-load or groupage. | May be rated by kg, CBM, pallet, LDM or tariff band. |
| FTL | Full truckload/full-trip hire. | A trip price for a defined vehicle and scope. |
| Minimum Charge | Minimum billable revenue. | It may be a minimum monetary amount, minimum kilograms or minimum CBM. These are different tariff mechanisms and must not be substituted for one another. |
COMMERCIAL MECHANISM
A road carrier sells vehicle capacity, floor space, driver time, distance, handling and operational risk—not merely kilograms or cubic metres. Different networks therefore rate the same shipment differently.
For groupage, every charge code may have a different basis. For FTL, the trip price matters only after vehicle type, route, stops, free waiting, loading duties and empty return are defined.
CALCULATION BY KG
Per-kilogram pricing is common for relatively dense groupage. Determine chargeable weight before multiplying by the rate.
IF A MINIMUM BILLABLE WEIGHT IN KG APPLIES: CHARGEABLE WEIGHT = MAX(BASE WEIGHT; MINIMUM KG)
IF A MONETARY MINIMUM CHARGE APPLIES: LINE AMOUNT = MAX(CHARGEABLE WEIGHT × RATE; MINIMUM AMOUNT)
Integrated example
A packed shipment weighs 480 kg and measures 2.10 CBM. The quotation specifies 300 kg/CBM and an illustrative rate of VND 2,200/kg:
- Volumetric weight: 2.10 × 300 = 630 kg.
- Chargeable weight: max(480; 630) = 630 kg.
- Base freight: 630 × 2,200 = VND 1,386,000, before separately listed charges.
Apply the correct tariff band, minimum and rounding rule rather than a single flat rate.
CALCULATION BY CBM
Per-CBM pricing is common for light, bulky freight. Use external dimensions after final packing.
IF A MINIMUM BILLABLE VOLUME APPLIES: CHARGEABLE CBM = MAX(BASE CBM; MINIMUM CBM)
IF A MONETARY MINIMUM CHARGE APPLIES: LINE AMOUNT = MAX(CHARGEABLE CBM × RATE; MINIMUM AMOUNT)
Integrated example
A shipment measures 3.60 CBM; the quotation uses 0.10-CBM rounding, a 2-CBM minimum and an illustrative rate of VND 950,000/CBM. Base freight is 3.60 × 950,000 = VND 3,420,000.
Non-stackable pallets may be rated by deemed volume or loading metre because they block usable truck-floor and overhead space.
FULL-TRUCK CALCULATION
FTL is usually a trip price for a defined vehicle and scope. Both payload and loading feasibility must be checked.
| Variable | Confirm | Risk if omitted |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle | Internal dimensions, usable payload, body type, doors, refrigeration. | Enough nominal tonnage but insufficient cube or height. |
| Route | Pickup/delivery points, restrictions, empty return. | Detours, city-access fees or extra kilometres. |
| Stops | Number and sequence. | Stop charges and waiting. |
| Waiting | Free hours and overtime tariff. | Low trip price, high detention. |
| Loading | Labour, forklift, dock and pallet responsibility. | Vehicle arrives but cannot be handled. |
| Legal limits | Axle load, dimensions and permits. | Transloading, delay or non-compliant movement. |
Compare with groupage
COMPARISON MATRIX
| Criterion | Per kg | Per CBM | Full truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Dense freight, many small packages. | Light, bulky cargo. | Large or dedicated direct movement. |
| Primary basis | Chargeable weight. | Chargeable volume/LDM. | Vehicle + trip + scope. |
| Minimum | Minimum kg/revenue. | Minimum CBM. | Trip price even if underutilised. |
| Typical error | Using actual kg only. | Ignoring pallet/void/non-stackability. | Selecting by nominal tonnage only. |
| Major variables | Rate band, density, terminals. | Rounding, LDM, handling. | Km, tolls, waiting, stops, empty return. |
| Required data | Gross weight, dimensions, package count. | External dimensions, stackability. | Load layout, route, schedule and vehicle specs. |
| Comparison method | Total by charge code. | Total by charge code. | Same-scope all-in with exclusions. |
DOCUMENTS AND DATA TO CHECK
| Data/document | Prepared by | Use | Fields to reconcile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Packing List | Shipper/warehouse | Calculate kg, CBM and packages. | Gross weight, dimensions, pallets. |
| Photos/layout | Warehouse | Assess stackability and handling. | Lift points, orientation, top load. |
| Road RFQ | Buyer/logistics | Obtain same-scope offers. | Route, date, commodity, kg, CBM, stops. |
| Quotation/tariff | Carrier | Determine basis and extras. | Density factor, minimum, rounding, validity. |
| Vehicle specification | Carrier | Select FTL vehicle. | Internal size, payload, body type. |
| Dispatch order/POD | Operations/driver | Execution and billing. | Vehicle, times, stops, signatures. |
| Weighing/measurement record | Warehouse/carrier | Resolve remeasurement. | Method, device, time and approver. |
WORKFLOW TO CALCULATE AND COMPARE
- Use final packed gross weight and external dimensions.
- Calculate actual kg, CBM and LDM/footprint where relevant.
- Request the basis, density factor, minimum, rounding and charge-code units in writing.
- Build a groupage scenario, including fixed and accessorial fees.
- Build at least one feasible FTL scenario based on payload and cube.
- Normalise all offers to the same door-to-door scope, tax, loading and validity.
- Select based on total cost, transit, handling touches, damage risk and schedule certainty.
- Record the final vehicle, route, time, inclusions and approval rules in the booking/dispatch order.
RISKS AND COMMON ERRORS
| Error | Cause | Impact | Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sending weight only | Assuming road freight is always per kg. | Remeasurement and re-rating. | Provide final dimensions and photos. |
| Applying 333 kg/CBM universally | Copying one tariff. | Wrong budget. | Use the factor in the actual quote. |
| Not declaring non-stackable | Weak cargo not disclosed. | Higher deemed volume or rejection. | Declare top-load capacity. |
| Choosing by nominal tonnage | Ignoring internal dimensions and usable payload. | Second truck or failed loading. | Use a loading plan and actual vehicle specs. |
| Comparing unit rates only | Different inclusions. | Unexpected accessorials. | Create an included/excluded matrix. |
| Ignoring legal limits | Overoptimising load. | Transloading, delay or enforcement risk. | Check axle, road and loading limits. |
| No evidence for extras | No time/GPS approval rule. | Billing dispute. | Use GPS, POD, timestamps and approval workflow. |
LEGAL BASIS AND OFFICIAL SOURCES
Rates are commercially agreed, while operations remain subject to road-transport, loading and vehicle-limit rules. Status is stated as of 17 July 2026.
| Instrument/source | Issuer | Status | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Road Law 35/2024/QH15 | Vietnam National Assembly | Effective 1 Jan 2025. | General legal framework. |
| Decree 165/2024/NĐ-CP | Government of Vietnam | Effective 1 Jan 2025. | Details selected provisions of the Road Law and Article 77 of the Road Traffic Order and Safety Law. |
| Decree 158/2024/NĐ-CP | Government of Vietnam | Effective 1 Jan 2025; applicable on 17 Jul 2026. | Road-transport operations. |
| Decree 218/2026/NĐ-CP | Government of Vietnam | Issued 19 Jun 2026; effective 10 Aug 2026. | Amends Decree 158; review for movements from its effective date. |
| Circular 39/2024/TT-BGTVT | Ministry of Transport | Effective 1 Jan 2025; applicable on 17 Jul 2026. | Vehicle and axle limits, abnormal loads and loading. |
| DHL chargeable-weight guide | DHL Global Forwarding | Operational source, not law. | Confirms road density ratios vary. |
| DB Schenker land conditions | DB Schenker | Market-specific commercial terms. | Illustrates CBM × 333 kg and LDM × 1,850 kg under Belgium Land Transport 2025 conditions; not a default for other quotations. |
FAQ
1. Is road freight per kg always based on actual weight?
No. Groupage may use the higher of actual and volumetric weight, subject to minimum and rounding.
2. How many kilograms equal one CBM?
There is no universal road-freight ratio. Use the carrier and route-specific factor in the quotation.
3. When should FTL be quoted?
When the shipment occupies much of a vehicle, needs direct control, has tight delivery requirements, or groupage total approaches the same-scope FTL price.
4. Can a “5-ton truck” always carry 5,000 kg?
Do not assume so. Usable payload depends on tare weight, body, vehicle documents, axles, route and load distribution.
5. How does non-stackable cargo affect price?
It can be rated by deemed volume, pallet position or LDM because it blocks usable space.
6. Is an FTL trip rate automatically all-in?
No. Confirm tolls, waiting, loading, stops, city access, lift equipment, VAT and empty return.
7. What evidence supports a remeasurement dispute?
Packing list, dimension photos, weigh tickets, measurement records, timestamps, POD and the agreed measurement/rounding rule.
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