Understanding What CBM means and how it affects your Sea Shipment from China
Everything you should know about the CBM and how it differs from the KG
What is CBM?
CBM, short for Cubic Meter, is a fundamental measurement in the shipping industry. It quantifies the volume or space your cargo occupies within a shipping container. Understanding CBM is essential for efficient and cost-effective shipping from countries like China or Ghana to Nigeria.
Why is CBM important?
By accurately calculating the CBM of your goods, you can select the appropriate container size, preventing wasted space and unnecessary costs.
Sea Shipping costs are often based on volume (measured in CBM).
How to Calculate the CBM
Calculating CBM is straightforward, but you must know the size of your goods. The length of the box, the height and the width.
Measure Dimensions: Determine the length, width, and height of your cargo in meters.
Multiply: Multiply the length by the width by the height.
Result: The outcome is the volume of your cargo in cubic meters (CBM).
But you don't have to worry about the calculations because we have made a CBM and shipment calculator just for you. Plug in the size of your parcel and you will see the CBM and the cost of shipping to your country.
Now you're probably wondering "But how will know the size of my goods when I've not received it yet?" Easy, Ask your supplier, they usually have a lot of experience and can help you determine the size.
The Difference Between CBM and KG
One of the most common questions we get is- 'How many KGs make one CBM?' And as much as it would be easier to say 'This number of kgs will make one CBM, it simply doesn't work like that.
Imagine a big, empty box. We can put things inside it, right? That box 100cm long and 100cm high and 100cm wide. That box is 1CBM
Now, let's say we want to fill this box with toys. We can't just say "10kg of toys will fill this box". We need to know how big the toys are. Some toys are small like cars, others are big like teddy bears. How big the toys are will determine if it can fit in the box.
KG is different. It's like measuring how heavy something is. We use a scale for that. A big teddy bear is light, but it takes up more space than a metal metal toy car. So, we can't just say "a teddy bear is 1kg, so it's 1 CBM". It doesn't work like that because size and weight are different things.
Example: A big, fluffy pillow might be very light (low kg), but it takes up a lot of space in a box (high CBM). On the other hand, a small, metal ball might be heavy (high kg), but it doesn't take up much space (low CBM).
Shipping from China to Nigeria
When importing goods from China to Nigeria, accurately calculating CBM is crucial. It helps you compare shipping quotes, choose the right container size, and potentially negotiate better freight rates.
Shipping from China to Ghana
For those shipping goods from China to Ghana, understanding CBM remains equally important. By optimizing your cargo's volume, you can streamline the shipping process and minimize costs.
Simplify Your Shipping with CBM Knowledge
By mastering CBM calculations, you gain control over your shipping expenses and ensure your cargo reaches its destination safely and efficiently. Whether shipping from China, Ghana, or any other location to Nigeria, CBM is your key to optimized logistics.
