How to calculate 1 CBM (Cubic Meter) from 1kg of goods when shipping from China to Nigeria, and why it matters for shipping costs.
How to Calculate 1 CBM from 1kg of Goods (China to Nigeria Shipping Guide)
When importing goods from China to Nigeria, one of the most confusing ( yet important ) things to understand is how freight forwarders calculate shipping volume — especially when it comes to CBM (Cubic Meter) vs weight (kg).
Sometimes, you might have asked, “I only have 1kg of goods — how can that be 1 CBM?” The answer depends on whether your goods are light and bulky or small and heavy — because most of this logistics companies charge based on volume weight or actual weight, whichever is higher and this is when you need to choose to a simplicity over a brand that has been lying and adding weight to your goods / packages when it comes to choosing the right shipping company for your mini importation business in Nigeria, if you're not using Nicargo LTD then you are loosing a lot.
Let’s break it down clearly since you are reading this, as Nicargo LTD will definitely open up everything that has to deal with importation of goods from China to Nigeria.
What is CBM?
CBM is an abbreviation which stands for a popular word known as Cubic Meter, a unit of volume used in shipping of goods which are use to measure how much physical space your goods / parcel occupy.
1 CBM = 1 meter × 1 meter × 1 meter = 1 cubic meter of space
This calculation will be very much easier for those who study mathematics especially those in science department who study Physics or Further Mathematics very well.
For shipping of goods or parcel (let's refer them as goods for easy understanding purpose) from China to Nigeria (or anywhere in the world), freight companies like Nicargo LTD often charge by CBM for sea freight, and also by dimensional weight or kg for air freight.
Why Does CBM Matters in Shipping
Documentation matters a lot as it involves giving out the right informations to the customer and also documenting every details of the goods because even if your item is only 1kg in weight, it could still take up a large amount of space (e.g., pillows, foam, packaging boxes). In that case, (Length in cm × Width in cm × Height in cm) ÷ 1,000,000 = CBM
Or if in meters:
> Length (m) × Width (m) × Height (m) = CBM
Step-by-Step Example
Let’s say your package is:
- 50 cm × 40 cm × 50 cm
- Weight: 1 kg
Now calculate the CBM:
> (50 × 40 × 50) ÷ 1,000,000 = 0.1 CBM
Even though it’s only 1 kg, your item is taking 0.1 CBM.
Now let's assume that today's shipping rate for sea freight in Nicargo LTD cost $150 per CBM (just as an example), your cost will be:
> 0.1 CBM × $150 = $15
So that 1 kg item may still cost $15 to ship if they charge by volume.
Take note of this calculation because some shipping company will still charge you $150 for shipping goods of 0.1 CBM to you and tell you that it's approximately to 1 CBM but Nicargo LTD won't do such.
Volume Weight (for Air Freight)
For air shipping, a reputable and plain freight company like Nicargo LTD will calculate what’s called "volumetric weight" or "dimensional weight":
> (Length × Width × Height in cm) ÷ 6000 = Volume Weight in kg
Now let’s take the same box:
> (50 × 40 × 50) ÷ 6000 = 16.6 kg
So, even though your box weighs 1 kg, the chargeable weight is 16.6 kg because of the space it occupies.
Let's assume that if air freight cost is $5/kg, then:
> 16.6 kg × $5 = $83
Even though it’s a 1kg item, you get billed $83 based on volume weight.
You may be wondering how did we come up with 1,000,000 and 6000 which is the most valuable question most of us might be asking and making research on Google or maybe any good Ai like Chatgpt, well that's a great and good questions and we are going to discuss about them below:
— the 1,000,000 in the CBM formula comes from converting cubic centimeters (cm³) into cubic meters (m³).
Here’s the reason and why:
1 meter = 100 centimeters according to how our mathematics taught us when we were in school those days.
So, when you're calculating a volume in centimeters, like this:
Length (cm) × Width (cm) × Height (cm)
That gives you a result in cubic centimeters (cm³).
To convert cm³ to m³, you have to divide by:
100 × 100 × 100 = 1,000,000
Because:
1 m³ = 100 cm × 100 cm × 100 cm = 1,000,000 cm³
Example:
Since this is an example , let's assume that a box is 50cm × 40cm × 50cm = 100,000 cm³
The to get the CBM:
100,000 ÷ 1,000,000 = 0.1 CBM
So the 1,000,000 just converts the volume from cm³ to m³, since a reputable and reliable shipping companies use CBM (cubic meters) for pricing.
— the 6000 in the air freight volumetric weight formula comes from a standard divisor used in international logistics to convert volume (cm³) into "chargeable weight" (kg).
✈️ The Formula:
For air cargo, freight companies ( Nicargo LTD )use this:
Volumetric Weight (kg) = (Length × Width × Height in cm) ÷ 6000
Reason and Why 6000?
It’s based on a volume-to-weight ratio agreed upon by IATA ( International Air Transport Association ):
- 1 CBM = 1,000,000 cm³
- Air carriers assume that 167 kg fits into 1 CBM
So:
1,000,000 cm³ ÷ 167 kg ≈ 6000 cm³/kg
That’s how IATA got the “6000” divisor — it tells them:
> "If your package takes up 6000 cm³ of space, we'll charge you as if it weighs 1 kg."
Why Does it matters:
Even if your package weighs only 1 kg, if it’s big and takes up space, you get charged as if it’s heavier — based on this formula.
Quick Comparison:
| Package Type | Real Weight | Volume (cm) | Volumetric Weight (÷6000) |
|--------------------|-------------|------------------|-----------------------------|
| Phone charger box | 1 kg | 20×10×5 = 1000 | 1000 ÷ 6000 = 0.17 kg |
| Big pillow | 1 kg | 80×60×50 = 240,000 | 240,000 ÷ 6000 = 40 kg |
So the pillow gets charged as 40 kg, not 1 kg.
While on a public transit one certain time along airport road I overhead a conversation between 2 ladies which one of them were exaggerated regarding the hight cost of shipment that was charged on their picked goods which she asked, what are the tools use in measuring goods for sea shipping or CBM and none of them could be able to answer the question properly and confidently which I'm sure that as you are reading this content, you are also in their shoes and one thing you'd need to know that Nicargo LTD remains the best with her reliable shipping and reputable topnotch and will also tell you in details of the tools use in measuring the dimensions of a goods in CBM for sea shipping which are:
To measure Length × Width × Height in cm, you can use any of the following tools — depending on the size and type of your package:
✅ Tools You Can Use:
1. Measuring Tape (Tape Rule)
- Best for boxes, cartons, and sacks
- Flexible and easy to wrap around irregular shapes
2. Ruler or Meter Stick
- Good for small packages or flat items
- Usually up to 30 cm or 1 meter long
3. Laser Distance Measurer (Digital Tool)
- Fast and accurate for larger items or warehouse use
- Gives digital readings in cm or meters
4. Calipers (for small items)
- Used in factories or for small, precise parts
What to Measure Exactly:
- Length = the longest side of the package
- Width = the shorter side at the base
- Height = from base to top (standing position)
Tip: Always measure including packaging (box, wrapping, etc.), because that’s what the shipping company charges for.
Sea Freight vs Air Freight – Which Is Better for 1kg?
For a very light shipments like 1–5 kg:
- Air freight (or express delivery) is usually better for speed.
- But it’s expensive if the item is bulky.
For 1kg items that are:
- Dense and small (e.g., phone parts) → air freight is fine.
- Light and bulky (e.g., packaging, foam) → sea freight is cheaper, but slower.
For sea freight, Nicargo LTD have a minimum chargeable CBM (like 0.1 or 1 CBM minimum), so even if your goods are small, you may pay the minimum 1 CBM rate (e.g., $150 or ₦180,000).
How Shipping Companies ( Nicargo LTD ) Charge from China to Nigeria
Air Cargo (7–10 days) ~ Normal Shipping
- Charge per kg or volumetric weight
- Minimum charge weight: 1kg
- Used for small, urgent goods
- Average cost: $5–10/kg depending on the season
Air Cargo (3 days) ~ Express Shipping
- Charge per kg or volumetric weight
- Minimum charge weight: 1kg
- Used for small, urgent goods
- Average cost: $8/kg depending on the season
Sea Cargo (30–45 days)
- Charged by CBM
- Minimum charge: 0.1 CBM or 1 CBM
- Great for large, bulky, or cheap goods
- Average rate: $100–$170 per CBM ( Depending on the season)
- Avoid being overcharged
- Choose the right shipping method
- Plan profit margins better
How to Estimate CBM from 1kg Without Dimensions
If you only know the weight (1kg) and no dimensions, it's impossible to estimate CBM exactly. But here’s a rough idea:
Dense items (e.g., electronics):
- 1 kg may be 0.005 to 0.01 CBM
- Example: phone charger in small box
Light, bulky items (e.g., foam):
- 1 kg could be 0.1 to 1 CBM
- Example: 1kg of pillows = huge box!
So always ask your supplier or agent in China for:
- Exact dimensions (L×W×H in cm)
- Weight in kg
- Packaging type (carton, sack, crate)
Tips to Reduce Shipping Cost from China to Nigeria
1. Compress packaging: Remove extra space or padding.
2. Use vacuum-sealed bags: for clothes or fabric items.
3. Consolidate shipments: Ship multiple items together.
4. Work with freight forwarders that offer 0.1 CBM minimum.
5. Know your HS code — it affects customs duty.
Final Summary
To calculate 1 CBM from 1kg, you must know the dimensions of the package, not just the weight.
- Use (L×W×H in cm) ÷ 1,000,000 for CBM (sea freight)
- Use (L×W×H in cm) ÷ 6000 for volumetric weight (air freight)
You might be paying for space, not actual kg. So don’t assume 1kg = cheap — if it’s bulky, it could cost as much as 10kg.
Understanding this helps you:
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