Gross weight is the combined weight of the product, all packaging layers, pallets and any securing materials, and it determines compliance with road, rail and vessel load limits as well as customs declaration accuracy.
In trade practice
Freight planners use gross weight to verify that a loaded reefer trailer or container does not exceed permitted axle loads for the route, which varies by country. Customs declarations, CMR consignment notes and bills of lading all require gross weight stated in kilograms. A common error is omitting pallet weight from the calculation, which can cause discrepancies between declared and weighed figures at border crossings. Suppliers should confirm gross weight per pallet and per container before issuing shipping documents.
In a specification
Contracts and purchase orders typically state gross weight per unit load alongside net weight, with tolerance expressed as a percentage of the declared figure.