How brake parts are charged for freight, why volumetric weight beats actual weight on light cartons, and what belongs on a carton mark.
Brake cylinders and calipers are dense parts, but cartons with reservoirs, boosters or small clutch cylinders often charge on volume rather than weight. Getting this wrong is the most common reason a landed cost comes out higher than expected.
Air and express freight charge whichever is greater: actual weight or volumetric weight. The divisor differs by service:
| Service | Formula | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Air freight | L × W × H (cm) ÷ 6000 | Per carton, then summed. |
| Express courier | L × W × H (cm) ÷ 5000 | Stricter divisor, so light cartons cost more. |
| Sea LCL | L × W × H (m) = CBM | Charged per CBM or per tonne, whichever is greater. |
Example: a 40 × 30 × 25 cm carton is 30,000 cm³ — 5 kg volumetric by air, 6 kg by express, 0.03 CBM by sea. If the parts inside weigh 12 kg, you pay on 12 kg; if they weigh 3 kg, you pay on the volumetric figure.
A compliant mark carries: consignee, destination port, carton number (1 of N), gross and net weight, dimensions, country of origin, and any handling symbols. Shipping marks should match the packing list exactly — mismatches are a common cause of customs delay.
| Term | Seller covers | Buyer covers |
|---|---|---|
| EXW | Goods at the factory | Everything after that |
| FOB | Goods loaded on board at the origin port | Ocean freight, insurance, destination charges |
| CIF | Goods, freight and insurance to destination port | Import duty, destination charges, inland delivery |
| DDP | Everything including duty and delivery | Nothing — but confirm the duty is genuinely included |
Brake parts are normally classified under HS heading 8708.30 (brakes and parts thereof), though the exact subheading depends on the item and the importing country. Confirm with your broker before you budget duty.