ISL FREIGHT / SHIPPING TOOLS

Shipping tools: CBM, volumetric weight and containers

Free CBM and volumetric weight calculator (air ÷6000, courier ÷5000), approximate 20GP/40GP/40HC container sizes and an Incoterms® 2020 reference table.

CBM and chargeable weight calculator

Enter carton size (cm), count and weight per carton. Results are estimates; the carrier’s measurement prevails.

Total CBM: 9.600 m³
Total actual weight: 1,200.00 kg
Air volumetric (÷6000): 1,600.00 kg
Air chargeable weight: 1,600.00 kg
Courier volumetric (÷5000): 1,920.00 kg
Courier chargeable weight: 1,920.00 kg
Sea LCL revenue tonne (W/M): 9.600
Container fit: Compare LCL or a 20GP

Approximate container sizes

Approximate values — vary by manufacturer and carrier
Type	Description	Internal L×W×H (m)	Internal volume (CBM)	Practical load (CBM)
20GP	20′ dry (standard)	≈ 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39	≈ 33	≈ 25–28
40GP	40′ dry (standard)	≈ 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39	≈ 67	≈ 55–58
40HC	40′ high cube	≈ 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69	≈ 76	≈ 65–68
40RH	40′ high cube reefer	≈ 11.6 × 2.29 × 2.5	≈ 67	—

Maximum payload depends on container tare, the carrier and road/port weight limits — confirm before booking. Reefers have less space due to insulation.

Incoterms® 2020 table

Term	Mode	Risk passes	Main carriage paid by
EXW Ex Works	Any mode	When goods are made available at the seller’s premises	Buyer (including export clearance)
FCA Free Carrier	Any mode	On handover to the buyer’s carrier at the named place	Buyer
FAS Free Alongside Ship	Sea/inland waterway	When placed alongside the vessel at the port of shipment	Buyer
FOB Free On Board	Sea/inland waterway	Once loaded on board at the port of shipment	Buyer
CFR Cost and Freight	Sea/inland waterway	Once loaded on board at the port of shipment	Seller (to destination port)
CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight	Sea/inland waterway	Once loaded on board at the port of shipment	Seller + minimum insurance
CPT Carriage Paid To	Any mode	On handover to the first carrier	Seller (to named destination)
CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid To	Any mode	On handover to the first carrier	Seller + insurance
DAP Delivered at Place	Any mode	At destination, ready for unloading	Seller; import duty by buyer
DPU Delivered at Place Unloaded	Any mode	At destination, after unloading	Seller; import duty by buyer
DDP Delivered Duty Paid	Any mode	At destination, import-cleared	Seller (including duties and taxes)

A short summary only. See the ICC Incoterms® 2020 rules and your sales contract for full obligations.

FCL, LCL, air or courier?

Mode	Best for	How it is charged
FCL	Large lots; your own container (20GP/40GP/40HC)	Per container
LCL	Small to mid lots sharing a container	W/M: CBM or tonnes (1,000 kg = 1 CBM), whichever is higher
Air cargo	Urgent, light, high-value goods	Actual weight or cm³ ÷ 6000, whichever is higher
Express courier	Documents, samples, small parcels, door to door	Actual weight or cm³ ÷ 5000, whichever is higher

As a rule of thumb, at roughly 13–15 CBM or more ask for a 20′ FCL quote alongside LCL. The final choice depends on rates, schedules and cargo-ready dates. Use the CBM calculator ↗

Export document glossary

ERC (Export Registration Certificate from the Office of the Chief Controller of Imports & Exports), trade licence, TIN and BIN
Commercial invoice — description, HS code, quantity, value, Incoterm and buyer details
Packing list — carton numbers, pieces per carton, net/gross weight and dimensions (CBM)
Bill of Lading (sea) or Air Waybill / AWB (air), issued by the carrier or forwarder
Bill of Export (shipping bill), lodged in Customs’ ASYCUDA World system through a licensed C&F agent
EXP form through your authorised dealer (AD) bank, for repatriation of export proceeds
Certificate of Origin — non-preferential CO from a chamber of commerce; preferential origin (e.g. GSP) per the destination scheme via EPB. For the EU, check REX requirements with EPB
UD/UP — Utilization Declaration / Permission for bonded raw materials from BGMEA (woven) or BKMEA (knit)
LC documents exactly as the credit requires (beneficiary certificate, inspection certificate, etc.); discrepancies can delay payment
Third-party inspection or test reports when the buyer requires them
Health certificate from the Department of Fisheries (Fish Inspection & Quality Control); check the destination’s approved-establishment rules
Phytosanitary certificate from the DAE Plant Quarantine Wing (for plant products)
DGDA export approvals; CPP and product registration papers where the importing country requires them
Wooden pallets or crates must be ISPM 15 treated and marked
Fumigation certificate where the destination requires one
MSDS/SDS and a dangerous goods declaration for batteries, chemicals, perfumes or aerosols
For courier parcels, a commercial/proforma invoice and the carrier label; check your bank’s export rules for commercial consignments

Approximate transit times

Approximate transit times — varies by carrier, routing, transshipment and season
Route	Approx. time
Sea: Chattogram → North Europe (e.g. Hamburg, Rotterdam)	~25–40 days
Sea: Chattogram → US East Coast	~35–50 days
Sea: Chattogram → US West Coast	~30–45 days
Sea: Chattogram → Middle East (e.g. Jebel Ali)	~15–25 days
Sea: Chattogram → East Asia (China, Japan, Korea)	~12–25 days
Air: Dhaka (DAC) → Europe / USA, airport to airport	~2–7 days
Express courier, door to door (major cities)	~3–7 working days
Road: via Benapole to India (Kolkata region)	~2–7 days, depending on border clearance

Approximate, varies by carrier. Sea times are port to port; many services from Bangladesh transship at hubs such as Colombo, Singapore or Port Klang. Firm times come with the quote.

FAQ

How do I calculate CBM?

Length × width × height in cm ÷ 1,000,000 = CBM per carton. Multiply by the number of cartons for the total.

Why do air and courier use different divisors?

Air cargo commonly uses 6000 (1 CBM ≈ 167 kg); express couriers usually use 5000 (1 CBM = 200 kg). Each carrier’s own rules prevail.

How much fits in a 20′ container?

Internal volume is about 33 CBM, but in practice around 25–28 CBM loads, depending on carton size and stacking.

For rules and references see: Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), National Board of Revenue (NBR) and Bangladesh Customs, Bangladesh Bank, BGMEA, BKMEA, Chittagong Port Authority and ICC Incoterms® 2020. Rules change — verify with the relevant authority, your bank and your C&F agent before shipping.