So what is dimensional pricing?

So what is dimensional pricing? Simply put, DIM pricing is a way for carriers more accurately price packages that take up more space rather than simply basing it on weight. A blog released earlier this year from EasyPost sums it up like this.

“Dimensional pricing (or dimensional weight) is a pricing technique for carriers to better reflect the cost of carrying bigger packages, regardless of their weight. Traditionally, carriers have used weight as the major determinant in rates. But by charging only by weight, carriers lose money when carrying bulky and lightweight packages that take up valuable space. Space can be just as important to a carrier as weight since bulky packages limit the amount of total packages the carrier’s vehicle can carry,” says EasyPost.

While the calculations might vary from carrier to carrier, there is a basic formula used by most.

Some carriers, like USPS, offer a DIM weight calculator so you can plug in your dimensions and see what your dimensional factor would be before you take your package to be shipped.

Understanding What this Means For Your Business

Once a carrier has their DIM factor, they can determine the rate to ship the package. However, here’s the catch. A carrier will also determine the weight rate as well and likely charge you the higher of the two. Understanding how your carrier will use dimensional pricing, as well as what the rates are will give you some insight as to how to move forward.

If their dimensional pricing is higher than their weight pricing, it might be time to rethink your packaging process, breaking items down into smaller packages or changing your packing material and box sizes for example.

LTL Shippers Might Get Hit Harder Than Most

The thought behind DIM weight pricing was born from both necessity and technology. Given the boom in e-commerce, many carriers realize that they’re maxed out on space, rather than weight, making their trips less than efficient. Given that we have the technology to accurately measure the dimensions of packages, this move is the next logical step for the LTL sector.

‘The (LTL) industry in the last three or four years has rapidly embraced dimensioning (measuring) machines,” said Satish Jindel, principal of SJ Consulting, which closely tracks trends in the LTL sector. “It works, and it’s cost effective—the payback comes in just a few months,’ according to an article from Logistics Management.

How BlueGrace Can Help

While LTL carriers have been slow to react in comparison to parcel carriers, Dimensional Pricing is a reality in the future of our business. The DIM weight trend is beginning to grow, quickly. With the increased usage of dimensioners, carriers can more accurately capture cost data and ensure that price is compensatory with the cost to move it. The ultimate laggards here will be big shippers migrating off of the conventional class based system. Dimensional pricing is prevalent throughout the world, now the U.S. based shippers will have to play catch up. Not only will it apply to boxed parcels, but to palletized freight as well. Shippers will feel the sting of excessive packaging quickly if they don’t start making changes now.

Dimensional shipping might seem like a quick grab for a few extra bucks on shipping rates, but it’s actually a more accurate and fair way of doing business for all parties involved. Still, it can be a bit confusing at first, especially when dealing with other changes at the same time. At BlueGrace, we make it our mission to not only keep pace with these changes but to help you do the same. Whether it’s getting a better handle on dim weight, or finding carriers at the best rates to help you keep your supply chain moving, we’re here to help.