How to Reduce Package DIM Weight and Save on Shipping Costs

The dimensional weight (DIM weight) of your package is one of the most important factors in determining the cost of shipping. In other words, the larger your package, the more expensive it is to ship. If you want to save on shipping costs, you should know how to reduce the DIM weight of your package without compromising the safety of its contents.

Let’s start by understanding what DIM weight is. Dimensional weight (also called DIM weight or volumetric weight) is a method used by carriers to shipping charges based on the volume of a package rather than its actual weight. It reflects how much space a package occupies in relation to its physical weight. For a long time, shipping companies calculated shipping costs based on the actual (gross) weight of packages. They introduced DIM weight to ensure that lightweight, bulky packages that take up a lot of space are charged appropriately.

Each carrier uses its own formula to calculate DIM weight, but it is generally calculated as length multiplied by height multiplied by width divided by a dimensional factor, which varies from carrier to carrier. To determine shipping charges, carriers typically compare the dimensional weight to the actual weight of the package and charge for the higher of the two.

So is it possible to downsize your package to reduce its dimensional weight and lower your shipping costs? Yes, there are some tricks that can help, but there is only so much you can do to make your package smaller while ensuring that its contents are properly protected from external impacts.

Start by measuring the actual and dimensional weight of your current package. Remember that the actual weight is the combined weight of the items in the package plus the packing materials and box. To calculate the DIM weight, use the formula provided by the carrier. If the actual weight of your package its greater than its DIM weight, there is no point in making it smaller; you should consider ways to make it lighter. On the other hand, if the DIM weight is higher than the actual weight, you can try to make the package smaller by choosing a better box and packaging filler.

One of the best ways to optimize the DIM weight of your package is to use a box that’s the right size for the items you’re shipping: it should be just big enough to fit the items plus some padding to protect the contents from external impact. Too much free space and you will overpay for extra padding and shipping. Also, packages with too much free space inside are more likely to be damaged in transit.

Choosing the right padding is critical to reducing the size of your box. Of course, the choice depends on how fragile the contents of your package are and how much protection they need, but in generals, materials such as bubble wrap are considered better than, say, air bags because they take up less space while providing adequate protection.

If you’re shipping multiple items, their arrangement in the box is also critical to reducing package dimensions. You may need to rearrange them several times to find the best configuration. You should also consider ways to reduce the size of individual items whenever possible: some items take up less space when folded properly, some soft items (clothing, bedding, stuffed animals) can be vacuum-sealed, etc.

Some lightweight and non-fragile items, such as non-delicate clothing, may not even need a box and padding because they can be shipped in poly mailers or padded envelopes. This reduces both packaging and shipping costs: poly mailers are inexpensive, they don’t require padding, they’re lighter than boxes, and they don’t take up much space.

While trying to reduce the DIM weight of your package, keep in mind that your packaging must still provide adequate protection for your items. Your ultimate goal is to find the right balance between reducing DIM weight and protecting your package from damage.