Reference

What a parcel actually costs to ship

The sticker rate is rarely the invoice. This reference explains the lines that change a shipping quote and the questions to ask before you promise free shipping.

Carriers price the space, not just the scale

A light but bulky parcel can cost more than a heavy compact one because carriers bill dimensional weight when it is higher than actual weight. The divisor is a published number, but the rule for when it applies and how the result is rounded is carrier-specific.

Model both weights before you set a shipping price. A product that looks cheap to ship at the design stage can become expensive once the retail box and cushioning are included.

Accessorials are where quotes drift

Fuel, residential delivery, delivery-area, address correction, additional handling and return-to-sender fees can exceed the base rate on small parcels. Some are percentage-based and change weekly; others are flat and depend on the address.

A shipping calculator that only multiplies weight by a rate is a starting point. Add the accessorials that apply to your actual buyers and destinations.

All entries

Billable weight — actual vs dimensionalCarriers charge the greater of actual weight and dimensional weight, then round according to their tariff. Dimensional divisor — 139, 166 and 5000The divisor converts box volume into a billable weight; common values are 139 and 166 for cubic inches per pound and 5000 for cubic centimetres per kilogram. USPS Ground AdvantageA USPS ground service for parcels, with weight and size limits, included tracking and a dimensional-weight rule. UPS Ground — commercial vs residentialUPS Ground pricing depends on weight, zone, residential status, delivery area and a weekly fuel surcharge. FedEx Ground and Home DeliveryFedEx Ground prices by weight and zone, with Home Delivery for residential addresses and similar accessorials. DHL Express — international parcel pricingDHL Express prices international parcels by weight, zone, service and accessorials, using a 5000 cm³/kg dimensional divisor. Fuel surchargeA carrier index applied to the base rate and some accessorials, updated on a regular schedule. Remote and delivery-area surchargesAn extra charge for addresses outside a carrier's standard delivery network, often larger than the base rate on small parcels. Shipping insurance vs carrier liabilityCarrier liability is limited by the tariff; declared value or separate cargo insurance can cover more, subject to exclusions. Last mile, attempts and returnsDelivery attempts, address corrections, hold-for-pickup and return-to-sender fees decide the final cost and the buyer experience.

Use these with

Landed Cost Calculator

Add duty, import tax, freight and handling to a goods value to get the true landed cost and per-unit cost.

Open tool →

Tell me when the rules change

De minimis thresholds, import tax rates and marketplace fee schedules move more often than most price lists. Leave an address and we will send a short note when one of the tracked markets changes.

Ask a compliance question

Free first answer by email. Tell us the destination, the product and the channel — we will point you to the rule and the official source. No obligation, no sales sequence.

Free first reply. Prefer your own mail app? rescue@openyuri.com. We store the message to reply; no marketing unless you ask.