Term: Gross, tare, net

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Term: Gross, tare, net

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Gross

Gross weight refers to the total weight of an object or load, including its container or packaging. It is the weight of the object or load when it is fully loaded or filled, without subtracting the weight of any packaging, container or other items.

 

For example, when weighing a truck carrying goods, the gross weight of the truck is the total weight of the loaded goods, the weight of the truck itself, and any additional equipment or materials on the truck. It includes everything on the truck, whether it is directly related to the load or not.

 

Gross weight is important in industries such as transportation, agriculture, manufacturing, and shipping, where accurate measurements are crucial for safety, compliance, and billing purposes. Gross weight can be measured using various types of weighing equipment such as truck scales, platform scales, and conveyor scales. By knowing the gross weight of an object or load, businesses can determine shipping costs, comply with weight restrictions and regulations, and ensure that the load is safe to transport.

 

The term Gross describes the weight of the combination of goods and any additional items that are being weighed simultaneously (e.g. gravel transported by truck and trailer, paint contained shipped in a steel drum on a pallet). If the good is not weighed with any additional items, Gross and Net weights are identical.

Tare

Tare weight refers to the weight of a container, packaging, or any other object that holds a product or material, when it is empty. It is the weight of the container or packaging that is subtracted from the gross weight of the container or packaging when it is filled with a product or material.

 

For example, when weighing a package of flour, the weight of the packaging material such as the bag or container is considered as tare weight. The gross weight of the package including the flour and the packaging material is measured, and then the weight of the packaging material is subtracted to determine the net weight of the flour.

 

If a good is placed in a container when it is weighed (e.g. a Truck, Trailer, FIBC or bulk bags) , the term Tare (pronounced tear - as in 'tear in half') describes the weight of the container.

Net

Net weight refers to the weight of an object or load minus the weight of its container or packaging. It is the weight of the product or material itself, without including the weight of any packaging or container.

 

For example, if a bag of flour weighs 5 pounds and the packaging it comes in weighs 0.5 pounds, the net weight of the flour is 4.5 pounds.

 

Net weight is calculated by subtracting the weight of the container or packaging from the gross weight of the object or load.

Net is the weight of goods excluding any additional items that are being weighed simultaneously (e.g. a pallet). In other words:

Net = Gross - Tare

 

If the good is not weighed with any additional items, Net and Gross weights are identical.