Tare Weight, Net Weight and Gross Weight in Shipping: What You Need to Know
Correctly calculating cargo weight is one of the most crucial steps in international shipping. No matter where your goods are headed or which shipping method you use, the total weight directly affects your shipping cost, safety, and customs compliance.
If the declared weight is wrong, serious issues can occur. You might face delays, fines, cargo damage, or even costly customs clearance problems. Therefore, understanding the differences between tare weight, net weight, and gross weight can save you time, money, and unnecessary headaches.
So, let’s explore what these weight types mean, how to calculate them, and why they are essential in every shipping process.
What Is Tare Weight?
Tare weight—also known as empty weight or unladen weight—refers to the weight of a container or vehicle without any cargo inside. This could include a trailer, a train car, or a sea freight container.
For easy reference, the tare weight is usually printed on a metal plate fixed to the container’s outer door.
However, the term “tare weight” can also refer to the weight of packaging materials used for shipping—such as boxes, pallets, or protective materials.
How to Calculate Tare Weight
The tare weight of vehicles and containers is usually recorded on the Bill of Lading (BOL).
When shipping smaller items (like cartons), you can either weigh the empty packaging or subtract the net weight from the gross weight.
Formula:
Tare Weight = Gross Weight – Net Weight
Example:
Suppose you ship 75 dishwashers in a 40-foot container. The loaded container’s gross weight is 29,400 lbs, and the dishwashers’ total net weight is 23,850 lbs.
So, the tare weight is:
29,400 lbs – 23,850 lbs = 5,550 lbs
Tare Weight vs. Gross Weight
The tare weight is the empty weight of the container or vehicle, while the gross weight includes everything—the cargo, packaging, and container itself.
Before loading or stacking your goods, you can calculate the gross weight by adding:
Product net weight
Packaging materials (boxes, shrink wrap, etc.)
Pallets or support materials
Container or truck tare weight
What Is Net Weight?
Net weight refers only to the actual weight of your goods—it excludes packaging, pallets, or any shipping materials.
This figure is often required for pricing, inventory management, and customs documentation.
How to Calculate Net Weight
You can determine net weight in two ways:
Net Weight = Gross Weight – Tare Weight
Net Weight = Quantity × Unit Weight
Example:
If you’re shipping 1,500 chocolate bars, each weighing 0.4 lbs, then:
1,500 × 0.4 lbs = 600 lbs
So, the net weight of your shipment is 600 lbs.
Net Weight vs. Gross Weight
While net weight represents only the goods themselves, gross weight includes everything—cargo, packaging, container, and even straps or cushioning materials.
In most cases:
Gross Weight = Net Weight + Tare Weight
This total helps shippers monitor cargo load and accurately plan transportation capacity.
What Does Gross Weight Include?
Gross weight (sometimes called laden weight) refers to the total combined weight of everything being shipped, including:
Actual cargo (net weight)
All packaging materials
Shipping accessories (crates, pallets, etc.)
Container or vehicle (tare weight)
Formula:
Gross Weight = Product Net Weight + Packaging + Shipping Accessories + Tare Weight
Keep in mind that not all shipments include every element listed above. For instance, air freight might include the weight of fuel and crew, while sea freight focuses on container and cargo weight.
Gross Weight in Different Transport Modes
Depending on the mode of transport, gross weight may have slightly different meanings:
Air Freight: Includes cargo, aircraft unit load devices (ULDs), fuel, and crew.
Road Freight: Includes truck, trailer, and all items loaded inside.
Rail Freight: Includes railcar and cargo weight combined.
Sea Freight: Includes both the container’s tare weight and the cargo inside.
Understanding how to calculate gross weight for each mode ensures accuracy—especially in multimodal transport, where your goods switch between shipping methods.
Example of Gross Weight Calculation
Let’s say your shipment includes:
Net weight: 2,500 lbs
Packaging: 125 lbs
Container weight: 3,000 lbs
Add them together:
2,500 + 125 + 3,000 = 5,625 lbs
That’s your total gross weight.
Understanding Cargo Weight Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
Mastering tare weight, net weight, and gross weight is essential to ensuring your global shipments are safe, accurate, and compliant. But to put this knowledge into action, you need the right logistics partner.
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