Rahtiyksiköitä

Rahtiyksiköitä are units of measurement used in the logistics and shipping industry to quantify and price the transportation of goods. The primary purpose of these units is to standardize the way cargo is measured and billed, ensuring consistency and fairness across different types of shipments and carriers.

The most common rahtiyksiköitä is the cubic meter (m³), often referred to as "kuutiometri" in Finnish. This unit measures the volume of a shipment. Another significant unit is the kilogram (kg), used to measure weight. In many cases, shipping costs are determined by whichever is greater: the actual weight of the shipment or its volumetric weight, which is calculated based on the dimensions and the defined volumetric weight factor.

For less-than-container-load (LCL) shipments, a common rahtiyksikkö is the "revenue ton," which is typically 1000 kilograms or one cubic meter, whichever yields a higher charge. This unit helps carriers to account for both the space and the weight a shipment occupies. Pallets also serve as a rahtiyksikkö, especially in road transport, with standard pallet dimensions dictating the space and handling requirements. The Euro pallet (1.2m x 0.8m) and the industrial pallet (1.2m x 1m) are widely used examples.

Containerized cargo is measured by container size, such as 20-foot or 40-foot equivalent units (TEUs and FEUs). These units provide a standardized measure for full container load (FCL) shipments, simplifying rate calculations and vessel capacity planning. The specific rahtiyksiköitä used can vary depending on the mode of transport (sea, air, road, rail) and the specific agreements between the shipper and the carrier.