Volumetric weight is the weight a carrier calculates from the space a package takes up. Amazon India's fee page gives it as (length x breadth x height) / 5000, with dimensions in centimetres, and Amazon charges on the higher of actual and volumetric weight.
A worked example
Shiprocket's example: a 1 kg flower vase in a 20 x 20 x 20 cm box has a volumetric weight of 8,000 / 5,000 = 1.6 kg. As 1.6 kg is more than the 1 kg actual weight, the carrier charges for 1.6 kg. A light, bulky item such as a pillow costs more to ship than its scale weight suggests.
Is the divisor always 5000?
No. Shiprocket says the divisor is not constant and varies by carrier, and 5000 is only the example value. Amazon uses 5000 on its fee page. Check your courier's contract for its own figure.
How Amazon applies it
On Amazon.in, standard-size items have a 500 g minimum chargeable weight, and heavier items are charged in 500 g steps. The weight handling fee depends on this chargeable weight, size and distance. See weight handling fee. Wrong dimensions on a listing lead to disputes, covered in weight discrepancy disputes, and you can test your own parcels with the volumetric weight calculator.
Why sellers get caught out
Light, bulky products such as cushions, soft toys and apparel in large poly bags often have a volumetric weight above their scale weight. Then the fee follows the larger number. Amazon's fee page says standard-size items have a 500 g minimum chargeable weight, so even a 120 g item is billed as 500 g.
How to check a listing
- Weigh the packed item and note the length, breadth and height of the outer box in centimetres.
- Multiply the three sides and divide by 5000.
- Compare with the scale weight. The higher figure drives the fee.
- If volumetric weight is far higher, try a smaller box or flatter pack and re-measure.
Enter the same packed dimensions in your listing, because a mismatch with what the courier measures is what triggers a dispute. Amazon notes that the final fee depends on category, size, weight, volumetric weight and any extra services.
Blooprint, a Bengaluru e-commerce agency, reviews catalogue dimensions and fees through its Amazon account management service.