How volumetric weight is worked out
Multiply length × breadth × height in centimetres and divide by a factor the courier sets, commonly 5,000 for surface parcels in India. A 30 × 25 × 20 cm box gives 15,000 ÷ 5,000 = 3 kg, even if it only weighs 800 g. Couriers then round up to their weight slab, often 500 g.
Check your own courier contracts for the exact factor and slab, as they vary by courier and mode.
Why weight disputes happen
- The seller enters the product weight, not the packed weight
- Box size is left at a default instead of the real size
- Packaging adds more than expected
- The courier's scanner measures the box at its widest point
How to avoid them
Ask sellers for packed weight and real box size, and calculate the chargeable weight before booking so the quoted price is already correct. Use the smallest box that fits. For repeat products, save the box sizes once so nobody has to guess. Good shipping software does the volumetric calculation at booking time and shows the chargeable weight next to the price.
Frequently asked questions
Can a seller dispute the courier's weight?
Usually yes, with photos of the packed parcel on a scale and with a tape measure, raised quickly through the courier's dispute process.