Understanding what affects and goes into the total cost of your international shipments can assist you in getting a better idea of what you should be paying.

Below we have summarised some of the basic information that you’ll need in order to get an accurate quote as well as some additional requirements for international shipping that may impact the cost of your package.

What Info Will You Need To Calculate Your Shipping Cost?

With numerous factors having an impact on your final shipping costs, calculations can become complicated. There are, however, four main variables that are used when estimating shipping costs. With these four pieces of information, you should be able to get a relatively accurate estimate of your shipping costs.

1. Point of Origin and Destination of Shipment
Before you can start to calculate the costs of your international shipment, you need to accurately understand where you are shipping from and the destination of the package. This info is a key factor in your final cost calculation. In general, the further the destination or if it happens to be a remote area, the higher the price.

2. Package Weight
The final cost of your shipment relies ‘heavily’ (pun intended) on its dead weight: Basically, how heavy your package is. 

Put it on a scale, get the weight. The heavier your package, the more it will cost to ship. 

3. Package Dimensions
The dimensions of your package (length, width, and height) are an important factor influencing the final price of your shipment. Couriers charge not only by dead weight but dimensional (or volumetric) weight too. In fact, if the volumetric weight is works out to be higher than the dead weight you will be charged based on the volumetric weight

4. Delivery Times
The delivery time is based on the specific service that you choose. A priority delivery will always be priced higher than a standard economy service. Generally speaking, for international express freight, the carriers will provide both options, you simply need to decide how important the transit time to get your package to its final destination

What Other Factors Can Affect Your Shipping Costs?

Duties & Taxes
It’s important to remember that when you are shipping to another country, you or the recipient of your parcels may need to pay additional duties and taxes before the shipment can be delivered. These fees will be charged based on the shipment type and its value, they also vary from country to country. It’s highly recommended that you find out what duties and taxes are specific to each country (sender and destination) as well as any regulations that each may have in place.

Shipping Insurance
If you're shipping valuable goods, you'll want to consider purchasing shipping insurance. That way, in the unfortunate event of any loss or damages during transport, you will be covered. Most shipments arrive safely and securely but mistakes can happen, and it’s always best to be on the safe side should anything go wrong during transit.

Couriers usually offer shipping insurance at a very small fee (on average, 3% of the declared value of your shipment). Contact us at InXpress Sandton to find out more about our shipping insurance options. 

Parcel-Handling Related Charges
Additional fees may be charged according to the contents of your parcel, its packaging, weight and dimensions.

Dangerous Goods are anything that a courier deems dangerous to handle (chemicals, needles, explosives, corrosive materials & flammable substances)
Additional fees can apply if your parcel exceeds the standard dimension or weight of the courier, or if your packaging is made of material such as wood, metal or if it’s cylindrical. It's best to check on these fees with your chosen courier company before purchasing any boxes or containers. 

Calculating Your Shipping Costs:

Once you have prepared for your shipment and collected information on the above mentioned points, you should be able to get an accurate quote on the cost of your international shipment. 

Contact us today at InXpress Sandton, should you wish to talk to one of our shipping specialists who will assist you in getting your quote.