Shipping cost: how the number is actually built
There is no single shipping price, only a price for a given weight on a given route to a given country. Once you can see the three variables, you can price any parcel yourself.
Variable one: chargeable weight
Couriers do not bill what your parcel weighs. They bill the greater of the scale weight and a volumetric weight derived from the parcel's dimensions, using a divisor that varies by carrier and route — commonly 5000 or 6000 when measured in centimetres.
Run the arithmetic once and it stops being abstract. A box of 50×35×20 cm is 35,000 cm³. At a divisor of 6000 that is about 5.8 kg; at 5000 it is 7.0 kg. If the goods inside weigh 1.2 kg, you are paying for 5.8 kg. Empty space is not free; it is the most expensive material in the parcel.
Variable two: the route
Two routes to the same country can differ substantially on the same weight, because they differ in mode, handling, transit time and what they will carry. Economy routes are slower and often cheaper per kilo; express routes cost more and buy time.
The trap is a route with a low headline rate per kilo but a high minimum charge. On a 1 kg parcel, the minimum dominates. Always compare the quoted total for your actual weight, never the per-kilo figure.
Variable three: the destination country
The same parcel priced to three countries is three different prices. Beyond freight, the destination determines which routes exist at all, what documentation is needed, and whether duty is collected upfront or on delivery. Some countries treat personal imports generously and others do not; the rules also change, sometimes annually.
Pricing consolidation properly
Consolidating several items into one parcel reduces the fixed handling component, which is why it usually wins. But compare carefully: combining 3 kg and 4 kg into 7 kg may push you past a weight tier where the per-kilo rate jumps, so the combined parcel can cost more than two separate ones.
The reliable method is to ask for two quotes for the same contents — combined and split — and take the lower. It costs one message.
| Scenario | Usually cheaper | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Several light items | Combined | Storage window running out while you wait |
| One heavy plus one light | Split, if the total crosses a tier | Per-kilo rates that drop or jump at boundaries |
| Bulky, low-density goods | Neither — reduce the volume | Volumetric weight dominating the bill |
Five habits that cut the bill
- Ask for packed dimensions, not product dimensions
- Quote two routes for your actual weight and compare totals
- Fill chargeable weight with flat, light items rather than heavy ones
- Ask whether compression is allowed on your route for soft goods
- Check the free storage deadline before ordering a slow item
Frequently asked questions
Why is my parcel charged at a higher weight than it weighs?
Is the cheapest route always the best?
Can I avoid duty by declaring less?
Do two lighter parcels ever beat one heavy one?
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