Dimensional weight, commonly referred to as DIM weight, is a pricing strategy employed by shipping carriers to assess the space a package occupies relative to its actual weight. This method is particularly significant in the shipping industry, where carriers charge based on the greater of the actual weight or the dimensional weight of a package.
The primary goal of dimensional weight pricing is to ensure carriers receive fair compensation for the cargo space utilized, especially when shipping lightweight yet bulky items that occupy considerable room in transport vehicles.
When the dimensional weight exceeds the actual weight of a package, carriers will calculate shipping charges based on the dimensional weight. This practice incentivizes shippers to optimize their packaging, helping to minimize dimensional weight and, consequently, shipping costs.
