CBM (Cubic Meter)
The standard unit of cargo volume in freight, calculated from package dimensions and used to price LCL and plan container loading.
TL;DR: CBM means cubic meter, the volume of a space one meter long, wide and high. Freight forwarders use it to price LCL shipments and to check how much will fit in a container.
To calculate CBM for one carton, multiply its length, width and height in meters. A carton measuring 40 cm by 30 cm by 25 cm is 0.4 x 0.3 x 0.25, which equals 0.03 CBM. Multiply that by the number of cartons to get the total. If the cartons sit on pallets or crates, measure the full pallet or crate including its base, since that is the space it actually takes.
CBM appears on the packing list and in freight quotes. In LCL, charges are based on W/M, meaning either CBM or metric tons, whichever is greater. For air freight, volume is converted into volumetric weight instead, which is covered under Chargeable Weight.
For container planning, compare total CBM with the container’s internal volume, then allow a margin because loadable volume is always less. A 20GP holds about 33 CBM, a 40GP about 67 CBM and a 40HQ about 76 CBM in theory.
With glass mosaic, weight often limits the load before volume does. Always check both the total CBM and the gross weight. See Gross Weight and Net Weight and Container Types (20GP, 40GP, 40HQ).