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Weight breaks — known in Danish as fordelsberegning — are something we always recommend including in your freight agreements.
What are weight breaks?
Weight breaks mean that it can be cheaper for you to ship goods that are priced as if they weigh or take up more space than they actually do..
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This happens because carriers typically price their services in rate bands — for example, by kilogram or cubic metre — and these bands aren't always structured to your advantage.
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A freight agreement might look something like this:
| Kg | Price per kg |
|---|---|
| 0 - 1 | €3.00 |
| 1.1 - 2 | €5.50 |
| 2.1 - 5 | €7.50 |
How do weight breaks work?
Your freight agreement is divided into rate bands. In the table above, for example, one rate band covers shipments between 0–1 kg.
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Instead of kilograms, the bands might be based on pallets or cubic metres — depending on your agreement. But what they all have in common is that each band has an associated price..
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In general, the price per unit decreases as the shipment size increases. The more you ship, the lower the rate.
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However, rate bands aren't always structured in a way that works in your favour. That's why it can sometimes be cheaper to ship at a higher rate band than your goods actually fall into.
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And that's exactly where breaking the weight can save you money.
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By including weight breaks in your contract, the carrier will automatically charge you in the band where you get the lowest price..
Example
Your freight agreement might have rate bands that look like this.
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The example uses cubic metres, but the same logic applies to kilograms or pallets.
| Cubic metres | Price per CBM |
|---|---|
| 0-1 | €60.00 |
| 1.1 - 2 | €55.00 |
| 2,1 - 3 | €40.00 |
As you can see, the price per cubic metre decreases as the band increases.
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Here's exactly where a weight break can save you money:
- From 1.1 – 2 cubic metres (CBM) with a price of €55.00 per CBM.
- From 2.1 – 3 cubic metres (CBM) with a price of €40.00 per CBM.
If you send 1.9 cubic metres, it will cost you €104.50..
Calculation: €55.00 × 1.9 CBM = €104.50
However, if you send 2.1 cubic metres, it will only cost you €84.00.
Calculation: €40.00 × 2.1 CBM = €84.00
In this case, shipping slightly more actually costs you less — and that's the weight break in action.
What does it mean for you?
Instead of manually adjusting your shipment volume — for example, by using a larger box or adding unnecessary padding — you can simply ask for weight breaks to be included in your freight agreement.
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With weight breaks in place, your carrier will automatically charge you the lowest applicable rate.
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In the example above, this would mean that the carrier will automatically charge you €84.00, even if you only ship 1.9 CBM.
Include it in your freight agreements
Weight breaks are usually included in sea and air freight agreements, but for road transport you often need to ask for them specifically.
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We recommend checking whether your carrier offers weight breaks — and if so, making sure they're included in your current or next freight agreement.
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It's an easy win — a simple and efficient way to reduce your freight costs.
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On average, we see it deliver a saving of 4.4%.
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That's a meaningful amount — and it adds up quickly.
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NOTE:Â When comparing freight agreements, always ask carriers whether they offer weight breaks. It can be an important factor in your decision.
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If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out — we'd love to help.
FAQ
What are weight breaks?
Weight breaks are a pricing mechanism where the carrier charges you in the rate band that gives you the lowest price — even if your shipment falls into a lower band. This means you can save money by being billed at a higher volume or weight band when it works out cheaper.
How can I save money by breaking the weight?
On average, businesses save around 4.4% on shipping costs by including weight breaks in their freight agreement. The exact saving depends on your specific agreement and shipping patterns.
How much can I save by breaking the weight?
On average, we see that businesses can save around 4.4 % on their shipping costs by having breaking the weight as a part of their freight agreement. However, the savings depend on your specific shipping agreement and shipping patterns.
How do I know if my freight agreement includes weight breaks?
Weight breaks are often included in sea and air freight agreements, but not always for road transport. Check with your carrier to confirm — and if it's not included, ask whether it can be added.
Do weight breaks apply to all types of freight?
Weight breaks can be applied across road, sea and air freight. Whether they're included depends on your carrier and agreement — they're most common in sea and air freight, while for road transport they often need to be negotiated separately.
How do I get weight breaks included in my agreement?
Simply contact your carrier and ask for weight breaks to be added. Many carriers offer them as a standard part of their service.