HOW TO DETERMINE DENSITY
The density of your freight is an important factor to all carriers in determining your pricing. It is significant in calculating the trailer cube utilization of the shipment in the line haul phase and may be used to determine the class of the shipment.

To obtain the cubic dimensions of a shipment, measure length, width and height. Next, multiply the length by width by height to obtain the cubic dimension in inches.
Example: Length = 21", Width = 20", Height = 22" (21 x 20 x 22 = 9,240 cubic inches)

To convert cubic inches to cubic feet, divide cubic inches by 1728 (the number of cubic inches in a cubic foot).
Example: 9,240 ÷ 1728 = 5.35 cubic feet

To determine density, divide the weight of the shipment by the number of cubic feet.
Example: 80 ÷ 5.35 = 14.95 lbs per cubic foot.

To determine dimensional weight, divide cubic inches by 194 (the dimensional factor).
Example: 9,240 ÷ 194 = 47.63 dimensional lbs.

In cases where the shipment is palletized, the dimensions of the pallet determine cubic dimensions. Although the original dimension of the carton remains the same, the cubic dimensions now include those of the pallet.
Example: Length = 48", Width = 40", Height = 28" (22" plus 6" of pallet)
48 x 40 x 28 = 53,760 cubic inches.

Convert to cubic feet by dividing by 1728.
Example: 53,760 ÷ 1728 = 31.1 cubic feet

The density then equals the weight, 110 lbs. (80 lbs for the carton and approximately 30 lbs for the pallet), divided by the cubic dimension.
Example: 110 ÷ 31.1 = 3.54 lbs per cubic foot.

COMMON TERMS
Carrier means a person who provides freight transportation services, whether that person physically performs the services or not. A person only needs to accept responsibility as the supplier of the freight transportation service to be considered the carrier. (A person who has a contract with a shipper to move the shipper's goods from one place to another is still considered to be a carrier of the goods, even if the work is subcontracted to another person who physically performs the entire freight transportation service.)

Consignee means a person to whom:

• a consignment may be made;
• goods are shipped for sale;
• a carrier delivers according to the contract of carriage; or
• goods are consigned, shipped or otherwise transmitted.

Destination of a continuous freight movement of goods means the place specified by the shipper (usually on the bill of lading) where possession of the goods is transferred to the person to whom the goods are consigned or addressed by the shipper.

Freight transportation service means the movement of goods by rail, water, highway, or air.

Origin of a continuous freight movement means the place where the first carrier engaged in the movement takes possession of the goods being transported.

Shipper (Consignor) of goods means the person who transfers possession of the goods being shipped to a carrier at the origin of a continuous freight movement or a continuous outbound freight movement. A shipper does not include a carrier.