Gross Weight
What gross weight means when weighing a household-goods shipment.
Published 4 Sep 2026 · Updated 10 Sep 2026. Sources, scope and corrections
TRE Dictionary
Gross Weight
Gross weight is the loaded scale weight of the vehicle and shipment together.
In plain English
It includes the vehicle and required transport equipment as well as the customer’s goods. It is not the shipment-only weight used in a net-weight calculation.
Why it matters
Gross weight minus the corresponding tare weight gives net shipment weight. For example, 24,600 pounds gross minus 18,200 pounds tare gives 6,400 pounds net. Do not treat the 24,600-pound figure as the weight of the customer’s belongings.
Measurement and handoff
For covered interstate vehicle-based weighings, the tare and gross records must follow the same-vehicle method and the equipment, people and fuel controls in 49 CFR 375.509. Check the vehicle and shipment identifiers on the signed weight tickets before billing uses the figures.
The scale measurement does not identify the applicable price. The tariff and estimate determine how the shipment quantity affects charges.
TRE common-language definition
Gross Weight: The loaded scale weight from which the corresponding tare weight is subtracted to determine net shipment weight.
Related terms
Tare Weight · Net Weight · Certified Weight Ticket · Weight · Tariff
Put it into practice
Use the Shipment Weight guide for weighing, reweigh rights and the path from scale records to charges.
Sources & Evidence
49 CFR 375.509 — Weighing methods and controls · 49 CFR 375.519 — Weight tickets
Federal requirements described here concern covered interstate household-goods moves. Other move types may follow different rules.
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