Gross Weight

Gross Weight is the weight of goods together with their packaging and any included pallets or handling units, as defined for the shipment.

Published by AllwayforwardUpdated 18 Oct 2026

Understand it in practice

Gross cargo weight includes packaging and any included pallets. It is distinct from VGM, which also includes container tare and securing materials.

Where it fits in the journey

Highlighted stages are commonly relevant

01Agree — commonly relevant
02Prepare — commonly relevant
03Transport
04Clear
05Deliver

THE PICTURE, IN WORDS

Gross Weight at a glance

Goods
Packaging + pallets
Gross cargo weight

THE DETAIL THAT MATTERS

Does gross cargo weight include the container's tare weight?

Gross cargo weight differs from a packed container's verified gross mass, which also includes the container's tare weight.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE

The crate travels too

A chair weighs 28 kg and its finished crate and protection weigh 17 kg. Gross cargo weight is 45 kg for that packaged unit. Add any separate pallet when it becomes part of the shipment.

What is included in the weight?

Measure	Included
Net goods weight	The product itself
Gross cargo weight	Goods and the shipment’s packaging
Packed-container VGM	Cargo, packing, securing materials and container tare

Hand-drawn packed cargo and measuring tools illustrating shipment size and weight. — Size & weight in context · original educational illustration, not a photograph of a shipment.

TRY IT WITH YOUR CARGO

From dimensions to a number you can use.

Enter the outer size of identical finished packages. Add different-sized pieces separately.

Before you book

For size & weight, have these details ready:

Outer dimensions after final packing
Gross weight including pallets and crates
Carrier divisor, minimums and rounding

Explore size & weight support

Sources & further reading

DHL: calculating chargeable weight ↗

Plain-language educational guidance. The applicable contract, carrier tariff, official rules or insurance policy takes precedence. Illustrations show concepts, not a specific shipment or facility.

Published by Allwayforward as a plain-language freight reference. Examples are illustrative, not customer case studies. For a correction, send the term and supporting source.