# Shipping and packing guides

- [CBM meaning and how to calculate it](https://cartonmath.com/guides/how-to-calculate-cbm/): What CBM means in shipping and how to calculate it for one carton or a mixed shipment, convert to cubic feet, and see how CBM sets container size and LCL charges.
- [Volumetric weight explained](https://cartonmath.com/guides/volumetric-weight-explained/): What volumetric (dimensional) weight is, how to calculate it in cm/kg and in/lb, which divisors are common, and how to stop paying for air in your boxes.
- [20GP vs 40GP vs 40HQ: which container to book](https://cartonmath.com/guides/20gp-vs-40gp-vs-40hq/): Compare 20 ft, 40 ft and 40 ft high cube containers by inside size, volume, payload and how many cartons or pallets fit, with worked examples.
- [How many pallets fit in a 20 ft or 40 ft container](https://cartonmath.com/guides/how-many-pallets-fit-in-a-container/): Pallets per container for EUR, UK/ISO, US 48 × 40, Asia and Australian pallets in 20GP, 40GP, 40HQ and 45HQ, with floor plans and double stacking.
- [Pallet sizes explained: EUR, UK/ISO, US, Asia and Australia](https://cartonmath.com/guides/pallet-sizes-eur-us-iso/): The standard pallet footprints by region, how many fit in shipping containers, and how to choose a pallet for export so your cartons fit and nothing overhangs.
- [FOB vs CIF vs EXW: which Incoterm should an exporter use?](https://cartonmath.com/guides/fob-vs-cif-vs-exw/): FOB, CIF and EXW compared for exporters: who pays freight and insurance, where risk passes, who clears customs, and when FCA or CIP is the better choice.
- [How to fill in a commercial invoice for export](https://cartonmath.com/guides/commercial-invoice-how-to/): Every field on an export commercial invoice explained: parties, Incoterm, HS codes, values, weights and declarations, with common mistakes that delay customs.
- [Commercial invoice vs packing list vs proforma invoice](https://cartonmath.com/guides/invoice-vs-packing-list-vs-proforma/): What a proforma invoice, a commercial invoice and a packing list each do, what goes on each, who needs them and how they must agree with each other.
- [LCL vs FCL: when to share a container](https://cartonmath.com/guides/lcl-vs-fcl/): LCL vs FCL compared: how each is charged, transit time, handling and risk, and how to find the volume at which a full container becomes the better deal.
- [Choosing export carton dimensions to cut freight cost](https://cartonmath.com/guides/export-carton-dimensions/): How 1 cm on a carton changes how many fit a pallet and a container, how to size cartons to pallet footprints, and a checklist for export carton dimensions.
- [Shipping marks on export cartons](https://cartonmath.com/guides/shipping-marks/): What shipping marks are, what to print on export cartons (consignee mark, destination, carton numbers, weights, origin) and which handling symbols to use.
- [Pallet stacking patterns: column vs interlock](https://cartonmath.com/guides/pallet-stacking-patterns/): Column stacking vs interlocked (brick) stacking on pallets: strength, stability and space use, plus overhang, height limits and how to plan pallet layers.
- [Air freight chargeable weight](https://cartonmath.com/guides/air-freight-chargeable-weight/): How airlines and forwarders calculate air freight chargeable weight from actual and volumetric weight at 1:6000, with worked examples and ways to lower it.
- [How many cartons fit in a container](https://cartonmath.com/guides/how-many-cartons-fit-in-a-container/): How to work out how many cartons fit in a 20GP, 40GP, 40HQ or 45HQ container: floor plan, tiers, orientation, weight limits and a worked example.
- [How to reduce freight cost with better packaging](https://cartonmath.com/guides/reduce-freight-cost-packaging/): Practical ways exporters and sellers cut freight cost through packaging: carton sizing, pallet choice, void fill, container planning and choosing the right mode.
- [FOB shipping point vs FOB destination](https://cartonmath.com/guides/fob-shipping-point-vs-fob-destination/): FOB shipping point (FOB origin) vs FOB destination: when title and risk pass, who pays freight, how it hits the books, and how it differs from Incoterms FOB.
- [How long does customs clearance take?](https://cartonmath.com/guides/customs-clearance-time/): How long customs clearance takes for parcels, air and sea freight, why shipments get held, and what tracking statuses like 'import customs clearance completed' mean.
- [How much does a shipping container weigh?](https://cartonmath.com/guides/shipping-container-weight/): Empty (tare) weight, maximum gross weight and payload of 20ft, 40ft, 40ft high cube and 45ft shipping containers in kg and lb, and where to find the real figures.
- [How many CBM fit in a container?](https://cartonmath.com/guides/container-cbm-capacity/): Container capacity in CBM and cubic feet for 20ft, 40ft, 40ft high cube and 45ft containers, and how many cubic metres of cartons or pallets really fit in practice.
- [CBM to kg: converting volume to chargeable weight](https://cartonmath.com/guides/cbm-to-kg/): There is no fixed CBM to kg conversion; freight uses ratios. 1 CBM counts as 1,000 kg by sea, 166.67 kg by air and 200 kg by express, with worked examples.
- [Shipping box sizes chart](https://cartonmath.com/guides/shipping-box-sizes-chart/): Standard shipping box sizes in inches and cm, how to measure a box (L × W × D), carrier size limits, and how to pick a size that fits pallets and cuts DIM weight.
- [Amazon FBA box requirements](https://cartonmath.com/guides/amazon-fba-box-requirements/): Amazon FBA box size and weight limits, labels, pallet rules and packing tips for shipping cartons to fulfilment centres, with links to Amazon's own requirements.
- [How much does a pallet weigh?](https://cartonmath.com/guides/how-much-does-a-pallet-weigh/): Typical empty weight of a standard 48 × 40 wood pallet, EUR pallet, plastic and block pallets in lb and kg, plus how much weight a pallet can carry.
- [How many pallets fit on a 53 ft trailer?](https://cartonmath.com/guides/how-many-pallets-fit-in-a-53-ft-trailer/): How many 48 × 40 pallets fit on a 53 ft dry van: 26 loaded straight, 30 turned, 52 or 60 double stacked, with trailer dimensions and weight limits.
- [Skid vs pallet: what is the difference?](https://cartonmath.com/guides/skid-vs-pallet/): The difference between a skid and a pallet, standard skid sizes such as 48 × 40 in, when skids are used, and how freight carriers count skids and pallets.
- [Heat treated pallets and ISPM 15](https://cartonmath.com/guides/heat-treated-pallets-ispm-15/): What heat treated (HT) pallets are, the ISPM 15 stamp, which wood packaging must be treated, exemptions such as plywood and plastic, and what if it is missing.
- [Box strength: ECT vs Mullen](https://cartonmath.com/guides/box-strength-ect-vs-mullen/): What ECT and Mullen burst ratings mean on corrugated boxes, how 32 ECT compares with 200# test, single vs double wall, and choosing a carton for weight.
- [Landed cost: formula and worked example](https://cartonmath.com/guides/landed-cost/): What landed cost is, the landed cost formula (product, freight, insurance, duties, taxes and fees), a worked import example per unit, and how Incoterms change it.
- [DAP vs DDP](https://cartonmath.com/guides/dap-vs-ddp/): DAP vs DDP under Incoterms 2020: both deliver to the buyer's place, but under DDP the seller pays import duty and VAT. Risks, costs and when to use each.
- [EXW vs FOB](https://cartonmath.com/guides/exw-vs-fob/): EXW vs FOB under Incoterms 2020: who clears export, who loads, where risk passes and which costs sit in each price, with tips for buying from China.
- [FCA vs FOB](https://cartonmath.com/guides/fca-vs-fob/): FCA vs FOB under Incoterms 2020: delivery to the carrier vs on board the vessel, why the ICC recommends FCA for containers, and the bill of lading option.
- [CIF vs CIP](https://cartonmath.com/guides/cif-vs-cip/): CIF vs CIP under Incoterms 2020: sea only vs any mode, ICC (C) vs ICC (A) insurance, where risk passes and which one to use for containers and air freight.

Source page: https://cartonmath.com/guides/
Updated: 2026-10-06
Publisher: CartonMath (https://cartonmath.com)