KNOWLEDGE
Inflatable Packaging: Net Weight, Gross Weight & Carton Checklist
Keep product net weight, packed weight and carton data separate when checking inflatable product quotations and shipment plans.
Inflatable products are measured in more than one state: inflated for use, folded for individual packing, and packed into a shipping carton. A clear packing sheet prevents a product dimension or net weight from being used as freight data.
Record these fields separately
Product net weight excludes packaging. Individual packed weight includes the individual packaging and any components specified for that sales unit. Carton net weight should state which contents it includes; the sum of bare product weights is different from the sum of retail-packed units. Carton gross weight includes the shipping carton and its contents.
Record inflated product dimensions, individual package dimensions, pieces or sets per carton, outer carton dimensions, carton net weight and carton gross weight in separate fields. Define whether the sale unit is one piece, a pair or a set.
Worked example: a chair and ottoman set
The published soccer chair and ottoman set has a combined product net weight of 1.04 kg. Ten sets therefore contain 10.4 kg of product net weight. Its confirmed full-carton gross weight is 11.5 kg. The difference covers packaging and carton weight together; it should not automatically be described as the empty carton weight.
The 40 × 30 × 30 cm carton occupies 0.036 cubic metres. This is carton volume, not the inflated volume of the furniture. These figures belong to this specific configuration and should not be copied to other products.
Check partial cartons and mixed shipments
If the order quantity is not divisible by the full-carton quantity, record the final carton separately. Do not copy full-carton gross weight onto a partial carton without weighing or confirming it. For multi-factory consolidation, keep the quantity and carton information for every product line traceable.
Confirm the carrier’s charging basis
A courier may charge using actual or dimensional weight. FedEx describes charging based on whichever is greater for the services covered by its guidance. The applicable divisor, rounding and service terms should be checked with the chosen carrier; do not apply one universal formula to every route.
Before booking, confirm the final carton measurements and weights, shipment count, packing list and included freight services. Ask for clarification when a quotation gives only one unexplained weight.