What is Net Weight?
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Understanding Net Weight Across Industries.
Net weight is the weight of an actual product. It does not include the box, bag, or any packaging it comes in. For example, the net weight of a box of strawberries is the weight of the strawberries without the box. It’s a standard term you’ll see in food, shipping, manufacturing, and even trade show logistics.
Why Net Weight Matters.
Net weight might not seem like a big deal at first, but it adds up fast. The fact that it's the actual amount of product makes a difference when you’re pricing things out, planning shipments, or trying to stick to a budget. At trade shows, it can even affect your freight costs and how your crates get moved around. Knowing the net weight means you’re not guessing. You’ve got the facts and that gives you an edge.
Net Weight in Trade Show Shipping.
The request for net weight in trade show documents can refer to either the weight of an individual package’s contents or the weight of your total shipment of all items to be sent to a show (without packaging). Review the shipping instructions to understand the specific information they’re looking for.
Does Product Net Weight Include Packaging Protection?
No. It does not include the weight of the shipping box nor any paper, bubble wrap, or foam peanuts which may be used to protect any product, like company brochures, in shipping.
On a larger scale, if you’re shipping your entire trade show booth structure and you’re asked for the net weight, it’s the weight of your booth walls, signs, lighting fixtures, and all other booth pieces. It doesn’t include the wooden shipping crates, crate dividers, padding or other protective materials (know as jigging).
How to Calculate Net Weight.
Net weight is calculated by taking the total weight (the gross weight) and subtracting the weight of any shipping containers, packaging, or protective materials.
How can this be done in reality?
Calculating the net weight of small items is relatively easy. You can weight your stack of product literature or bag of promotional pens before putting them into your shipping box.
Calculating the net weight of your trade show booth is a bit more difficult. Rather than weighing each piece of your booth individually, weigh the empty shipping containers and protective materials first. Then pack your booth structure and weigh the full shipping containers again. The weight of the full containers minus the weight of the empty containers will give you the net weight of your trade show booth.
Net Weight vs. Gross Weight vs. Tare Weight: Quick Definitions with Example.
Net weight, gross weight, and tare weight are easy to mix up, but each one means something different. This quick visual clears it up so you know exactly what you’re reading in the trade show exhibitor’s manual.
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