What is Tare Weight in Trucking?
If you’re starting a trucking company, understanding weight-related terminology like tare weight is essential. Tare weight is a foundational term in the shipping industry and directly affects shipping costs, weight limits, and compliance with regulations. In trucking, being aware of terms like tare weight, gross weight, and net weight can prevent issues with shipping companies, shippers, and within the supply chain.
Definition of Tare Weight
Tare weight is a key concept in freight shipping and refers to the weight of a container or transport vehicle when empty, without any cargo or weight of the product being transported. For example, when a shipping container or tractor-trailer is weighed on weighing scales without cargo, this is its tare weight. The tare weight of the container may include packaging material such as pallets, crates, or cases that remain in the vehicle during transport.
Knowing the tare weight is important for both shipping companies and trucking companies as it’s essential in calculating shipping costs and ensuring compliance with weight limits.
Tare Weight vs. Gross Weight vs. Net Weight
Understanding the difference between tare weight, gross weight, and net weight is crucial in freight shipping and helps to avoid penalties.
Tare Weight
This is the weight of an empty container or vehicle, including any permanent packaging material. For example, the tare weight of the container is often marked on intermodal containers to facilitate quick tare weight calculation and help determine load limits.
Gross Weight
The gross weight of a shipment includes the total combined weight of the loaded vehicle. This means the weight of the tare weight, cargo, and weight of the packaging. Sometimes referred to as gross vehicle weight or laden weight, it is the maximum allowable weight for transporting cargo.
Net Weight
Net weight is the weight of the goods or cargo itself without any packaging or the vehicle weight. It’s derived by deducting the tare weight from the gross weight, giving the actual weight of the product. For instance, if a loaded container’s gross weight is 30,000 pounds, and the tare weight is 5,000 pounds, the net weight (or weight of the cargo) would be 25,000 pounds. Net weight is crucial for calculating the weight of the contents to assess fees, taxes, and compliance accurately.
How is Tare Weight Calculated
Calculating tare weight is relatively straightforward. If the gross weight and net weight of a load are known, you can determine the tare weight by subtracting the net weight from the gross weight. In many cases, containers come with a tare weight plate that displays the weight of an empty container, helping to determine the total shipping weight quickly.
For instance, the tare weight calculation for a truck might include the weight of pallets or other packaging material. This process is essential in international shipping, where accurate weight terms ensure smooth customs clearance and prevent fines for exceeding weight limits.
What Tare Weight Means for You
Properly accounting for the tare weight is vital in the trucking industry. Knowing the tare weight of your transport vehicles allows you to plan loads accurately, meet weight limits, and maintain compliance with shipping regulations. By calculating tare weight and ensuring accurate records of the weight of the container, you can provide precise load quotes, enhance shipping cost control, and establish trust with shippers.
Have additional questions? Talk to one of our trucking experts today! 913-393-6110