Freight calculators: CBM, volumetric weight, duty and VAT

Three numbers decide most freight quotes: your cargo's CBM (cubic metres), its volumetric weight for air (length × width × height in cm ÷ 6000), and the ZATCA bill (duty on CIF, then 15% VAT on CIF + duty). Use the calculators below for instant answers, then the reference numbers underneath to sanity-check quotes.

Calculate it

The duty estimate uses your entered rate — most goods are 5%, the full range is 0–25% by HS code, and GCC-origin goods enter at 0%. VAT is recoverable input tax for VAT-registered companies.

Reference numbers for sanity checks

• Container capacity: 20ft ≈ 28 usable CBM / max ~28t payload; 40ft ≈ 58 CBM; 40ft HC ≈ 68 CBM
• LCL pricing: per CBM (or per tonne if heavier than 1t/CBM) — typically $25–60/CBM to Jeddah/Dammam from Asia
• Air chargeable weight: greater of actual and volumetric; couriers often divide by 5000, not 6000
• Break-evens: courier→air ~45 kg; LCL→FCL ~12–15 CBM

Worked example: 120 boxes from Guangzhou

120 boxes of 50×40×30 cm, 8 kg each: volume = 0.06 CBM × 120 = 7.2 CBM (LCL territory), actual weight 960 kg, air volumetric 1,200 kg — air would charge 1,200 kg and cost several times sea. Goods value $18,000, freight $400, insurance $60 → CIF $18,460; at 5% duty ($923) plus 15% VAT ($2,907), the ZATCA total is $3,830, of which VAT is recoverable. For an exact per-HS-code figure, Sanad Global quotes landed cost per product list free of charge.

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