Revenue Ton

A revenue ton (RT, also freight ton) is the billing unit for LCL ocean freight. Under the weight-or-measure (W/M) rule, the cargo's volume in cubic meters is compared with its weight in metric tons, and the larger number is the number of revenue tons charged. One cubic meter and one metric ton (1,000 kg) each count as one revenue ton.

Worked examples

• 4 m³ weighing 900 kg: 4 is greater than 0.9, so 4 revenue tons
• 4 m³ weighing 5,200 kg: 5.2 is greater than 4, so 5.2 revenue tons
• 3 m³ weighing 800 kg: 3 revenue tons; the same 3 m³ at 4,500 kg: 4.5

So only cargo denser than 1,000 kg per cubic meter, such as stone, metal parts or ceramics, pays by weight. Most consumer goods, garments and furniture pay by volume.

Where it applies

• Ocean freight: charged per revenue ton for the port pair, subject to a minimum, often one revenue ton, so a single small carton is charged as the minimum
• CFS handling: origin and destination CFS charges are often per revenue ton too, or per shipment
• Measured at the CFS: the origin CFS counts, measures and weighs each piece, and those figures, not the packing list, set the chargeable volume

Carrier and NVOCC LCL terms state the same conversion; Maersk's LCL terms, for example, apply 1 CBM as equal to 1,000 kg and charge on whichever is higher.

Revenue ton vs air chargeable weight

Both rules charge the greater of weight and volume, but at very different ratios. LCL treats 1 m³ as 1,000 kg. Air freight's chargeable weight uses the IATA divisor of 6,000 cm³ per kilo, so 1 m³ counts as about 167 kg. Cargo that pays on weight by sea can easily pay on volume by air.

How to avoid overpaying

• Measure cartons and pallets accurately, including pallet height and overhang, and ask for the chargeable volume the quote assumes
• Check the CFS receiving report against the invoice
• Compact packing and full pallets reduce revenue tons; mixed carton sizes and short stacks add air
• Past about 13 m³, compare the landed total against a full container

The chargeable weight and CBM calculator works out cubic meters and revenue tons from carton sizes. See LCL ocean freight for the full list of LCL charges.