In short: Net weight is the weight of your product alone. Gross weight is the product plus all packaging, cartons, and pallets. Freight forwarders quote shipping based on gross weight (or dimensional weight, whichever is higher), while customs authorities often want both figures on your commercial invoice and packing list. Mixing the two up is one of the most common — and costly — paperwork mistakes first-time importers make.

Last updated: July 21, 2026

What is the difference between net weight and gross weight?

Net weight is the weight of the product itself, with no packaging at all. If you're importing 1,000 ceramic mugs and each mug weighs 300g, your net weight is 300kg.

Gross weight adds everything else: individual retail boxes, inner cartons, outer export cartons, and (for freight calculations) the pallet itself. That same 300kg of mugs might weigh 480kg gross once packaging and cartons are included.

A third figure, tare weight, is simply the weight of the packaging alone (gross minus net). You'll see it on some packing lists but it rarely affects your shipping cost directly.

Why does the difference matter when you're importing from China or Vietnam?

Three places where getting this wrong causes real problems:

Freight quotes. Ocean and air freight are priced on gross weight or volumetric (dimensional) weight — whichever is larger. A supplier who only gives you net weight will make your shipment look lighter and cheaper than it actually is, and the freight forwarder's final invoice will come in higher than you budgeted.

Customs declarations. Most countries' customs forms ask for both net and gross weight on the packing list and commercial invoice. Some duty and compliance calculations (particularly for chemicals, food, and certain regulated goods) are based on net weight specifically, so an inflated or missing net weight figure can trigger delays or a manual customs review.

Container and pallet planning. Gross weight determines how many cartons safely fit on a pallet and how many pallets fit in a container before you hit legal road-weight limits in the destination country — not just cubic space.

Worked example: calculating both weights for a real shipment

In this example, quoting freight on the net weight (1,440kg) instead of the correct gross weight (1,840kg) would understate the shipment by nearly 28% — enough to throw off a landed cost calculation before the goods even leave the factory.

How do I make sure my supplier gives me accurate weights?

Ask for both figures in writing before you confirm an order, ideally on the proforma invoice: net weight per unit, packaging weight, carton weight, and units per carton. A supplier who can't break this down clearly is often a sign of a factory that hasn't shipped internationally very often — worth noting during supplier vetting.

FAQ

Is freight cost based on net weight or gross weight?

Gross weight (or dimensional/volumetric weight, whichever is higher). Net weight is used for customs and regulatory declarations, not for pricing freight.

What is tare weight?

Tare weight is the weight of packaging alone — gross weight minus net weight. It's mostly used for customs documentation, not freight pricing.

Do I need to declare both weights to customs?

Most countries require both net and gross weight on the commercial invoice and packing list. Requirements vary by destination and product category, so check with your customs broker or freight forwarder for country-specific rules.

Why is my freight invoice higher than the quote my supplier gave me?

This usually happens when a supplier quotes based on net weight (or estimates low) instead of the true gross/dimensional weight the carrier actually bills on. Always confirm gross weight and carton dimensions before budgeting.

Does packaging weight count toward duty calculations?

It depends on the product and destination country. Some duty schedules are based on net weight, others on value (ad valorem), and some regulated categories specifically require net weight disclosure. Your customs broker can confirm which applies to your HS code.

How Epic Sourcing helps

Epic Sourcing's bilingual teams on the ground in China and Vietnam confirm accurate net and gross weights with your supplier before goods ship — so your freight quotes and customs paperwork match reality, not a guess. For a full breakdown of shipping terms, see our guide to Incoterms explained, and for US-specific landed cost math, our Import Duty from China to the USA guide. If you're comparing shipping methods for a shipment like this, our 3PL vs 4PL guide is a useful next read. Want a second set of eyes on your next shipment's paperwork? Get in touch — no pressure, no obligation.