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Freight cost per unit calculator
Enter the freight and handling charges and the size of the shipment. You get the freight cost per unit, per kilogram and per cubic meter, and what share of the price it makes up.
Freight cost per unit is the total freight and handling charge divided by the number of units shipped. At the default numbers it is USD 0.72 a unit, which is 4.0% of the product price.
Written by Procurement VMS Editorial Team · Reviewed by Michael, Procurement Advisor Expert · Updated
Your numbers
The boxes start with an example so you can see how it works. Replace them with your own figures.
Your result
Each unit carries USD 0.72 of freight, or USD 1.50 per kilogram and USD 257 per CBM. That is 4.0% of the product price.
| Total freight cost | USD 3,600 |
|---|---|
| Freight per unit | USD 0.72 |
| Freight per kilogram | USD 1.50 |
| Freight per CBM | USD 257 |
| Freight as share of product price | 4.0% |
The currency box changes the label only. Enter amounts in the currency you choose.
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How the freight cost per unit calculator works
The formula
Freight per unit = (freight + handling) / units. Freight per kilogram = total freight / weight. Freight per CBM = total freight / volume.
A freight bill means little until you divide it. Per unit tells you what it adds to cost, per kilogram lets you compare air options, and per CBM lets you compare sea options. Use all three when you compare quotes.
Look at the share of the product price. A USD 3 freight charge on a USD 5 item changes the sourcing decision, while the same charge on a USD 300 item hardly does.
The example numbers are illustrative and are not benchmarks. Use your own data for any decision.
How to use it with your own data
- Add every freight and handling line from the quote or the invoice.
- Enter the units, weight and volume from the packing list.
- Compare the per unit and per CBM figures across quotes and carriers.
Mistakes that skew the answer
Leaving out surcharges
Fuel, peak season and documentation charges are part of the freight cost. Use the all-in figure.
Dividing by ordered units instead of shipped units
If some units were short shipped, divide by what actually travelled.
Comparing different terms
A quote delivered to your door and a quote to the port are not the same. See the trade terms guide.
What to do with the result
Take the per unit figure into the landed cost calculator. If you ship often, track the cost per unit month by month on your spend analysis template to see when a carrier raises rates.
Questions about the freight cost per unit calculator
How do I calculate freight cost per unit?
Add all freight and handling charges and divide by the number of units shipped.
What is a good freight cost percentage?
It depends on the product. Heavy, low value goods carry a high share, while small, valuable goods carry a low one. Track your own trend.
Should I include insurance?
Yes, if you want an all-in delivered cost. Keep it separate if you compare freight rates only.
How do I compare air and sea freight?
Compare cost per kilogram for air against cost per CBM for sea, then add the cost of the extra weeks of stock in transit.