Even small accessories made of metal can lead to big costs in air shipping—if your declared weights are wrong, expect penalties, hold-ups, or last-minute rejections.
To ensure accurate air freight weight declarations for metal accessories, calculate chargeable weight properly, separate net/gross volumes, use calibrated scales, and always comply with IATA documentation.
At AceAccessory, we help international buyers avoid surprises and save on air freight bills. This is how we make sure every kilo counts—and clears.
How to work out chargeable weight for air freight?
Most people assume air freight cost is based on the actual weight. But in reality, it’s the “chargeable weight” that airlines care about.
Chargeable weight is the greater of the actual gross weight and the volumetric weight of your cargo. Air freight is priced based on this number.
Step-by-step to calculate chargeable weight:
- Weigh the gross weight (actual weight including packaging)
- Measure carton dimensions (Length × Width × Height in cm)
- Calculate volumetric weight:
[
\text{Volumetric Weight (kg)} = \frac{L × W × H}{6000}
] - Compare both values
- Use the higher value as the chargeable weight
Example for metal belt buckles:
| Carton # | Gross Wt. | Size (cm) | Vol. Wt. | Chargeable Wt. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | 9.2 kg | 48 × 33 × 27 | 7.1 kg | 9.2 kg |
| 002 | 6.8 kg | 45 × 40 × 35 | 10.5 kg | 10.5 kg |
We also train our team to spot situations where bulk density is low—like wide-brimmed hats or air-filled accessories—since they may cost more to ship by air due to volumetric weight.
What is a dangerous goods declaration for air freight?
Even if your product is simple, like a small metal clasp or clip, certain conditions may qualify it as a “dangerous good” under IATA rules.
A Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD) is a document confirming your air cargo meets international safety requirements when it contains regulated items.
When do accessories require a DGD?
Your cargo may be flagged if:
- It contains magnets, sharp metal points, or electrical components
- It’s dense or heavy in a way that may harm aircraft balance
- The material has static discharge or flammable coatings
Even basic items like metal hair clips can be misclassified if packed improperly. That's why we screen each SKU during pre-shipping.
What’s in a DGD?
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| UN Number | ID for classified goods (e.g., UN3481) |
| Proper Shipping Name | Description of the goods |
| Packing Instruction Code | Shows method of packaging |
| Quantity/Type of Packaging | Box type, weight, and unit count |
| Signatures | From trained personnel with IATA certification |
At AceAccessory, we prepare and sign all DGDs internally to avoid 3rd-party errors and delays at departure.
When weighing cargo for palletization, net weight is the cargo weight before it is added to the pallet.?
Absolutely. But you'd be shocked how many forwarders report incorrect totals.
Net weight is the weight of the product alone. Gross weight includes inner cartons, outer cartons, and pallet or skid. Air freight requires clear separation of both.
Why accurate weight matters:
- Invoicing errors can cost thousands on larger shipments
- Over-declared weights may lead to overpayment
- Under-declared weights may cause airline rejections or reweighing fees
- Mismatched customs documents lead to clearance delays
How we avoid problems:
- Cartons are weighed twice: before sealing and after palletizing
- Each pallet is labeled with both net and gross weight
- Volumetric weight is calculated in advance
- For shipments over 500kg, we send photos of scales and tape measure readings
We also offer carton weight data in advance for your freight forwarder to pre-book aircraft space.
Where must the red hatching be printed on a shipper's declaration for dangerous goods?
Even if the content is correct, the DGD can still be rejected if it’s not formatted properly.
According to IATA, red hatching must be printed vertically along the left and right sides of every page of the Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods.
Rules for hatching:
- Must be in red ink, not black or grayscale
- Printed on both left and right margins
- Present on all pages of the declaration
- Cannot be missing, even on scanned PDFs
To comply with these rules:
- We use pre-approved templates from IATA training
- Each form is printed in color—not photocopied
- Red lines are exactly 5mm wide, running the full vertical length
Before submission, our DG team verifies document layout and submits a digital preview to the freight agent. This helps prevent airport delays.
Conclusion
Accurate weight declarations are more than numbers—they’re the key to fast, compliant, cost-effective air freight for metal accessories. At AceAccessory, we combine precision measurement, volumetric checks, proper documentation, and DG compliance to protect every shipment in the air.
