How to Calculate Freight Charges for Nepal Export (Air, Road & Sea Freight Guide 2026)

Freight charges are one of the biggest costs in international trade. For exporters in Nepal, calculating freight correctly is even more important because Nepal is a landlocked country, meaning most shipments must travel through Indian borders and ports before reaching international destinations.

Whether you export carpets, handicrafts, garments, herbal products, tea, coffee, lentils, or industrial goods, understanding freight charges helps you quote the correct price, avoid hidden charges, and protect your profit margin.

In this complete guide, you will learn how to calculate freight charges for Nepal export step-by-step, including air freight, road freight, sea freight (via Kolkata), CBM calculation, volumetric weight formula, and real examples.

What Are Freight Charges in Export Business?

Freight charges refer to the total cost paid to move goods from the exporter’s location to the buyer’s destination. In export business, freight cost includes transportation cost plus additional logistics-related expenses such as handling, packaging, loading, unloading, terminal fees, and fuel surcharge.

Freight charges are important because they directly impact:

• Export quotation price
• Profit margin
• Buyer competitiveness
• CIF / FOB costing
• Final invoice value

Why Freight Charges Are High for Nepal Exporters?

As we already know that Nepal is landlock country and it doesn’t have direct connection with sea. Nepal exporters often face higher freight charges because:

• Nepal has no seaport.
• Cargo must move via Indian ports (Kolkata/Haldia).
• Border handling and transit costs increase.
• Extra documentation is required.
• Transit delays increase transport cost.

That’s why exporters must calculate freight charges carefully before finalizing a deal.

Main Types of Freight Used in Nepal Export.

Nepal exporters generally use these freight options:

1. Road Freight

Used for exports to India and also for sending goods to Indian ports.
Common border routes:

• Birgunj–Raxaul
• Bhairahawa–Sunauli
• Nepalgunj–Rupaidih
• Kakarbhitta–Panitanki

2. Air Freight

Used for urgent and lightweight shipments.
Main airport:

• Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Kathmandu

3. Sea Freight (via Kolkata Port)

Used for international exports to USA, Canada, Europe, UAE, Japan, South Africa etc. Specially i also preferd to choose this route for 3rd country export, because as i also work as export executive in one of the best industry.

Key Terms You Must Know Before Calculating Freight.

To calculate freight correctly, you must understand these 5 important terms:

1. Gross Weight

Gross weight means total weight including packaging.

Example:
Product weight = 950 kg
Packing weight = 50 kg
Gross weight = 1000 kg

2. Net Weight

Net weight means only product weight (excluding packing).

3. CBM (Cubic Meter)

CBM is used mainly for sea freight and road freight.

CBM Formula

CBM = Length (m) × Width (m) × Height (m)

Example:
Carton size = 1m × 0.5m × 0.4m
CBM = 1 × 0.5 × 0.4 = 0.20 CBM

If you have 10 cartons:
Total CBM = 0.20 × 10 = 2 CBM

4. Volumetric Weight

Volumetric weight means cargo weight calculated based on size.

Used in:

• Air freight
• Courier freight

5. Chargeable Weight

Chargeable weight is the weight used for freight billing. It is whichever is higher:
Chargeable Weight = Higher of (Gross Weight or Volumetric Weight) This is the most important rule in freight calculation.

How to Calculate Air Freight Charges for Nepal Export?

Air freight is commonly used for:

• Garments export
• Carpet samples
• Herbal products
• Handicrafts
• Electronics items
• Medical supplies

Air Freight Volumetric Weight Formula :

Volumetric Weight (kg) = (L × W × H in cm) ÷ 6000
(Some airlines use 5000, but 6000 is common.)

Example 1: Air Freight Calculation (Simple)

Carton dimension:

• Length = 120 cm
• Width = 80 cm
• Height = 60 cm

Volumetric weight:
= (120 × 80 × 60) ÷ 6000
= 576000 ÷ 6000
= 96 kg

Gross weight = 70 kg

Chargeable weight = 96 kg

Now if freight rate is $3.8 per kg:

Air freight cost:
96 × 3.8 = $364.8

Add extra charges:

• Fuel surcharge = $30
• Terminal handling = $25
• Documentation charge = $15

Total Air Freight:
= 364.8 + 30 + 25 + 15
= $434.8

So final air freight charges = $435 approx.

Air Freight Charges Breakdown (Most Common)

Air freight quotation normally includes:

• Freight per kg rate
• Fuel surcharge
• Airport handling charge
• AWB documentation fee
• Security screening fee

So always confirm whether the forwarder is quoting all-inclusive or only base rate.

How to Calculate Road Freight Charges for Nepal Export?

Road freight is most common for Nepal exports to India.

Road freight is calculated by:

Method A: Per Ton (MT) Basis

Example:
Transport rate Birgunj to Delhi = NPR 7,500 per ton

Cargo weight = 4.2 tons

Freight:
= 7,500 × 4.2
= NPR 31,500

Add loading/unloading:
= NPR 2,500

Total Road Freight:
= 31,500 + 2,500
= NPR 34,000

Method B: Full Truck Cost

If you book a full truck (10 ton / 15 ton / 20 ton):

Example:
Truck cost Birgunj to Kolkata = NPR 1,20,000

This cost remains same even if your cargo is 8 ton or 10 ton.

Method C: Per KM Basis

Some transporters calculate by distance.

Example:
Rate = NPR 75 per km
Distance Birgunj to Lucknow = 400 km

Freight = 75 × 400 = NPR 30,000

Road Freight Charges Extra Costs to Include:

Many exporters forget these charges:

• Border entry fees
• Driver allowance
• Toll tax
• Parking charges
• Transit delay charges
• Loading/unloading labor cost

Always ask transporter if the price includes these.

How to Calculate Sea Freight Charges for Nepal Export (Via Kolkata Port)?

Sea freight is used when exporting from Nepal to:

• USA
• UK
• Germany
• France
• UAE
• Australia
• Japan
• South Korea

Since Nepal is landlocked, shipments go:

Nepal → Indian Border → Kolkata Port → Destination Port

Sea freight is calculated in 2 ways:

1. LCL (Less than Container Load)

If shipment is small, freight is charged based on CBM.

2. FCL (Full Container Load)

If shipment is big, you book full container.

Sea Freight Calculation for LCL (CBM Based)

Example: LCL Shipment Calculation

Cargo volume = 8 CBM
Sea freight rate = $85 per CBM

Sea freight cost:
8 × 85 = $680

Now add:

• Kolkata port handling = $140
• Documentation fee = $50
• Nepal to Kolkata trucking = $450
• Customs clearance = $120

Total freight cost:
680 + 140 + 50 + 450 + 120
= $1,440

So total sea freight charges = $1,440

Sea Freight Calculation for FCL Container

Example: 20ft Container Freight

Freight rate Kolkata to Dubai (20ft) = $1,300

Other charges:

• Nepal to Kolkata trucking = $800
• Port handling charges = $250
• Customs & forwarding = $150
• Documentation = $50

Total freight:
= 1,300 + 800 + 250 + 150 + 50
= $2,550

So total shipping cost becomes $2,550

Freight Charges Based on Incoterms (Very Important for Export Quotation).

Freight cost depends on your export terms.

FOB (Free On Board)

Exporter pays cost until goods are loaded at port.
Buyer pays international freight.

CFR (Cost and Freight)

Exporter pays goods cost + sea freight.
Buyer pays insurance.

CIF (Cost, Insurance & Freight)

Exporter pays goods cost + freight + insurance.

So if buyer asks for CIF quotation, you must calculate freight accurately.

How Exporters in Nepal Prepare Freight Quotations (Professional Method)?

Most exporters use this format:

Total Export Freight Cost

1. Factory to warehouse transport
2. Packing & loading charges
3. Customs clearing charges
4. Border/terminal charges
5. Main freight (air/sea/road)
6. Destination terminal cost (if CIF)
7. Insurance cost (if CIF)

Complete Freight Calculation Example (Best for Readers)

Let’s calculate freight for a Nepal exporter shipping carpets to USA.
Shipment details:

• Total cartons: 25
• Total volume: 12 CBM
• Total weight: 1,100 kg
• Mode: Sea Freight LCL
• Route: Nepal → Kolkata → New York

Freight rates:

• Sea rate = $95 per CBM
• Nepal to Kolkata trucking = $650
• Port handling = $160
• Documentation = $50
• Customs clearance = $140

Sea freight:
12 × 95 = $1,140

Total freight:
1,140 + 650 + 160 + 50 + 140
= $2,140

So exporter must add $2,140 freight cost in pricing.

Hidden Freight Charges Nepal Exporters Must Know

Many exporters face unexpected charges like:

⚠️ Demurrage charges (port delay fine)
⚠️ Detention charges (container delay fine)
⚠️ Storage charges
⚠️ Repacking charges
⚠️ Extra handling charges
⚠️ Inspection charges

To avoid this, always ask your forwarder for all-inclusive freight quotation

Tips to Reduce Freight Charges for Nepal Exporters (High Value Section)

Here are the best practical methods:

1. Reduce Carton Size

Smaller cartons reduce volumetric weight.

2. Export in Bulk

Shipping larger volume reduces per-unit freight.

3. Compare Forwarders

Always take 3 quotations from different freight forwarders.

4. Choose Correct Shipment Type

If your volume is above 15 CBM, FCL may be cheaper than LCL.

5. Avoid Transit Delay

Clear customs quickly to avoid demurrage and storage charges.

Best Freight Calculation Tools for Nepal Exporters

To calculate quickly, exporters should use:

• CBM Calculator
• Volumetric Weight Calculator
• Freight Rate Comparison Sheet
• Export Costing Sheet (Excel)

(You can later create these tools on indonepaltrade.com which will bring huge traffic.)

Conclusion

Freight charges calculation is one of the most important skills for Nepal exporters. Whether you ship by road to India, by air from Kathmandu, or by sea through Kolkata port, your freight cost depends on weight, CBM, volumetric weight, route, and extra handling charges.

If you calculate freight correctly, you can quote competitive prices, protect profit margins, and expand exports to international markets.

FAQs – Freight Charges Calculation for Nepal Export