Glossary
Dimensional (DIM) weight
Definition
A weight calculated from a package's size (length × width × height ÷ a divisor). Carriers charge on the higher of this and the actual weight, so a big, light box costs more to ship.
Where the guide uses it
- 25 common 3PL billing errors and how to spot each one
- How to audit a 3PL invoice: a step-by-step checklist
- 3PL invoice backup: the supporting detail files to always request
- Why accurate product weights and dimensions matter at a 3PL
- Billed vs. expected weight: how to find 3PL shipping overbilling
- How to compare 3PL rate cards and quotes apples to apples
- How to audit DIM weight charges: catching wrong boxes and wrong dims
- How 3PL pricing works: an overview of the rate card
- How 3PLs bill shipping: pass-through, markup or their own rate card
- How to read a 3PL invoice: summary, line items and detail files
- Shipping surcharges explained: fuel, residential, handling and more
- True cost per order: how to calculate it from your 3PL invoices
- What is dimensional (DIM) weight, and how is it calculated?
- What is rate shopping? How a 3PL picks the carrier for each order
- Why 3PL billing errors happen, and why they keep coming back