Metric Formula
Freight-Ready Packing Data
Small Appliance Carton Data and CBM Guide for Freight Quotations
A freight estimate is only as reliable as the packing data behind it. Importers need the approved master-carton dimensions, units per carton, carton count, gross weight and packing version for every SKU before comparing freight or container utilization.
This guide connects factory packing data to CBM, mixed-container planning, forwarder quotations and final shipment documents. MOQ starts from 1000 PCS. Wholesale only.
Direct Answer for Importers
What data is required before requesting a freight quotation?
Provide one line for each exact SKU and packing version: product model, order quantity, units per master carton, external carton length, width and height, carton count, gross weight, net weight, pickup location, destination port and preferred trade term. Identify whether the figures come from an approved packed sample, current production packing or an early catalog estimate.
Product dimensions are not carton dimensions. Retail-box dimensions are not master-carton dimensions. A carton estimate from another model, another accessory set or an old OEM package should not be reused as if it describes the current order. When the product, internal protection, accessory count, color box or carton quantity changes, the freight basis may also change.
Carton Data Sheet
Keep one controlled row for every shipment version
| Field | What the buyer should receive | Why it affects the shipment |
|---|---|---|
| SKU and version | Model code plus plug, voltage, color, accessory and OEM packing version. | Different versions can require separate cartons, marks, receiving and compliance records. |
| Order quantity | Confirmed pieces by exact SKU rather than one combined category total. | Determines cartons, production allocation and inventory depth by market version. |
| Units per carton | Approved saleable units in each master carton. | Converts pieces into cartons and supports packing-list reconciliation. |
| External carton size | Length, width and height with measurement unit stated. | Provides the volume basis for CBM and loading estimates. |
| Gross and net weight | Weight per carton or clearly identified shipment totals. | Supports handling, booking, customs documents and carrier quotation checks. |
| Carton count | Total cartons calculated from the approved packed quantity. | Connects the purchase order, loading tally and final packing list. |
| Data status | Estimated, sample-confirmed or production-confirmed. | Prevents an early planning figure from being treated as final booking data. |
Include the revision date and the person or document that confirmed the data. For mixed containers, maintain separate rows for air fryers, blenders, electric fans, rice cookers, water dispenser pumps and every other approved product version. Do not combine unlike cartons into one average line.
CBM Calculation
Convert external carton dimensions into shipment volume
Shipment Formula
Total CBM by SKU
CBM per carton multiplied by the number of cartons for that exact SKU and packing version.Illustrative Math
Check the unit before calculation
A 60 x 45 x 50 cm carton equals 0.135 CBM. One hundred identical cartons equal 13.5 CBM. This is an arithmetic example, not a product specification or loading promise.Round only after the calculation method is agreed. Small rounding differences multiplied across many cartons can change the shipment total. The mathematical CBM is also not a guarantee that the same volume will fit into a particular container. Door dimensions, carton orientation, stacking limits, void space, mixed shapes, loading method and cargo-protection requirements affect actual utilization.
Weight Control
Volume is not the only freight input
Record both gross and net weight with clear units. Net weight generally describes the goods without the full export packing, while gross weight includes the packed shipment basis defined in the document. The buyer should confirm whether a figure is per unit, per carton or the total shipment. A number without that basis cannot be used safely.
Different carriers, routes and transport modes may compare actual weight with a volume-based or chargeable-weight rule. Those methods and conversion factors vary. Ask the appointed forwarder to explain the current quotation method instead of copying a divisor from an unrelated route. The factory should provide controlled packing data; the forwarder should apply the route-specific freight method.
Data Timing
Use the right packing record at each order stage
| Stage | Acceptable use | Required control |
|---|---|---|
| Early model screening | Catalog or historical packing may support a rough comparison. | Mark every figure as estimated and do not book freight from it. |
| Sample approval | A fully packed sample can establish a stronger planning basis. | Confirm exact accessories, protection, artwork and carton quantity. |
| Production preparation | Approved packing specifications support forwarder planning and warehouse allocation. | Control revisions and recalculate after any packing change. |
| Booking and loading | Production-confirmed carton count, size and weight support the shipping instruction. | Reconcile with the purchase order, loading tally and final packing list. |
Freight planning does not need to wait until the container is at the door, but the buyer must separate estimates from confirmed data. Use early figures to compare scenarios, sample figures to refine the plan, and production figures to control booking and documents.
Shipment-Type Decisions
Apply the same data discipline to LCL, full containers and mixed loads
LCL Planning
Give the forwarder final volume and weight
Confirm pickup point, carton count, dimensions, gross weight, stackability and any handling restriction. Ask which charges remain outside the quoted route.Full Container Planning
Do not treat theoretical volume as loaded quantity
Review carton orientation, practical loading method, product protection, container restrictions and final tally before promising units.Mixed Container Planning
Protect the commercial priority of each SKU
Calculate CBM separately, reserve depth for hero models, separate market versions and keep carton marks readable during unloading.Mixed loading is a commercial allocation decision, not a puzzle where every empty space must be filled. A buyer may prefer fewer low-priority variants and more depth in the products that support dealer coverage or seasonal demand. The final mix should balance market demand, margin, warehouse handling, damage control and repeat-order strategy.
Factory-to-Forwarder Handoff
Keep responsibilities visible after the carton sheet is prepared
Factory
Confirm the physical packing basis
Provide model, version, units per carton, dimensions, weight, carton count, pickup location and data status for the actual inquiry.Buyer
Freeze the commercial requirement
Confirm quantity by SKU, destination, required arrival window, trade term, inspection, consolidation and acceptable shipment route.Forwarder
Quote the current transport scope
State route, transport mode, validity, included charges, excluded charges, documentation needs and the applied weight or volume method.All three parties should use the same dated file. If the factory changes the packing, the buyer changes the mix or the forwarder changes the route, the affected volume, weight, freight and arrival assumptions should be updated together. An old screenshot in a chat is not a controlled booking record.
Freight-Ready RFQ
Send enough information for an order-specific carton plan
Buyer sends: selected product and model; quantity by SKU; country; destination port; plug, voltage and frequency; OEM logo and packing request; inspection requirement; preferred trade term; required arrival date; and whether the shipment is LCL, full container or mixed container.
Factory confirms: current model availability; packing version; units per carton; external carton dimensions; gross and net weight; carton count; production lead-time basis; pickup location; and whether the data is estimated, sample-confirmed or production-confirmed.
Forwarder confirms: route, booking basis, validity, main freight, origin and destination scope, current weight or volume method, documentation needs and any handling restriction.
Data Red Flags
Stop these errors before the freight quotation is approved
Wrong Dimension
Product size is used as carton size
Request the external master-carton measurement for the packed shipment.Missing Basis
Weight has no unit or level
Identify kilograms or another unit and whether the number is per unit, per carton or total.Mixed Versions
Different plugs or boxes share one row
Separate every packing version that can affect carton data, marks or receiving.Old Revision
Artwork changed but CBM did not
Recheck the retail box, protection and master carton after each approved packing revision.False Precision
An estimate is presented as final
Label the data status and refresh it from the packed sample or production carton.Document Mismatch
Carton totals disagree at shipment
Reconcile the order, carton summary, loading tally and packing list before release.Connected Procurement Path
Turn packing data into a controlled landed-cost decision
The carton sheet sits between product approval and freight approval. Keep it connected to the quotation, trade term, loading plan and final shipment record.
01Select Product and VersionFreeze the model, market configuration, accessories and packing direction.
02Normalize the QuotationCompare the same goods, OEM work, inspection and commercial scope.
03Choose the Trade TermDefine the delivery point, origin responsibility, freight and risk handoff.
04Freeze Carton and CBM DataConnect approved packing to volume, weight and forwarder quotations.
05Reconcile Shipment DocumentsMatch the packing list, invoice, loading tally and approved order version.
Private Wholesale Inquiry
Request an order-specific appliance packing and quotation basis
Order Boundary
Wholesale only
MOQ starts from 1000 PCS. Retail and one-piece orders are not supported.Buyer Input
Model, market and logistics route
Send quantity by SKU, country, plug, voltage, packing, destination port, trade term and arrival window.Factory Output