Gross Weight
Gross Weight is the total weight of a shipment including the goods plus all packaging, pallets and the container or unit load device that holds them. It contrasts with net weight (the goods alone) and tare weight (the empty packaging/container): gross = net + tare.
Gross weight is a fundamental figure in transport: it is used for freight rating (compared against volumetric weight to find the chargeable weight in air, or the freight ton at sea), for aircraft, vehicle and stack weight limits, for stowage and stability, and for the container's Verified Gross Mass (VGM) under SOLAS. It must be stated accurately on the transport documents; understating it risks overloading and safety hazards, while overstating it inflates charges. Alongside net and tare, gross weight is core shipping data that flows into pricing, safety and compliance.
Gross weight drives freight charges, weight limits, stowage and the SOLAS VGM — so an inaccurate figure means either overloading and danger or over-billing. It is one of the most-used numbers in shipping, and getting the gross/net/tare relationship right is basic to correct pricing and safe, compliant loading.
What is included in gross weight?
The goods plus all packaging, pallets and the container or ULD — everything being carried. Gross = net + tare.
How is gross weight used in freight?
It is compared with volumetric weight (air) or used as the freight ton (sea) to determine chargeable weight, and drives weight limits and VGM.