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Best Ways to Send a Package and How to Calculate the Cost

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29th Jul 2021




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To provide reliable customer service you need to find the best ways to send a package. As well as how to calculate the cost. So let’s see what that entails.

Understand types of shipping

Remember that shipping depends on rules and regulations that determine conditions for the transport of certain goods. There are various types of shipping modes that may or may not be suitable for your business, like small package shipping, truck service, sea shipping, fragile goods transport, and others. They not only differ in transport capabilities, but also transit distance, price, and other factors that can affect your choice of shipping company. 

Find a suitable shipping company

An ideal shipping company should offer secure transport of your goods concerning its size and sensitivity. But above all, it should be able to provide the exact services you need, like offering plane transport, safe packaging, and the best prices. If you have bulky products, the shipping company needs to be able to transport them without damage or disassemble them. 

Compare shipping prices online

Many shipping companies have online calculators on their websites. Enter the values of your package on each one to find the best price. This shouldn't be the only reason to choose a certain shipping business but to potentially narrow down your options. Contact the companies with agreeable prices and ask them to send you their offers, since you will use their services for more than one package. You may get a discount, special offers, and lower prices than the ones for non-contract clients.    

Take into account origin and destination

One of the most determining factors for shipping costs is the distance between the point of origin of the package and the destination it's delivered to. The basic rule is the bigger the distance the higher the price, established based on the shipping zones which many couriers use, like DHL and FedEx. To be able to calculate the cost you need to know the exact location for delivery of your package, determined by the zip code. 

Calculate shipment weight 

Weight can greatly affect the shipping costs so you need to know how heavy is your goods for proper calculations. Some couriers are only equipped to deliver packages falling into a certain weight limit. If you plan to expand your business in the future and offer items that may be heavier, look for a shipping company that can do that as well. Taking care of this from the start will save you the trouble of looking for one more courier service to sign a contract with.

Measure dimension of the package

Your package can weigh only a few pounds, but it can still have large dimensions that won’t fit on the bike or in the van. Length, width, and height are used to calculate dimensional or volumetric weight and can affect which courier you will choose. You can lower the costs by optimizing your packaging which will benefit both your customers and your business. If the dimensional weight is bigger than the actual weight, the courier company will charge you for the greater one.   

Check out-of-state delivery

If your business goes beyond the borders of your country, you need to find out more about interstate freight quotes. The ideal for any company is to be able to ship its products as far as possible — other cities, states, and countries — at reasonable prices. This includes customs clearance, safe transport, pick and pack service, third-party logistics management, efficient storage, and other key features. 

Include delivery times

Customers can be put off by the time it takes for the package to arrive at their doors. However, packages shipped overnight will cost more than the typical 3-7 days delivery. Some packages can even travel over a month, depending on the means of transportation, distance, and dimensions. Decide what delivery timeframe is good for you and then ask couriers to send you their quotes. 

Pay attention to international fees

International shipping costs may not be the same for every country. To calculate the proper costs you need to consider additional fees that each country imposes. Make sure to know all the taxes and fees before shipping so your customers are not surprised by unexpected expenses. Also, a company providing international shipping should know about all the requirements and prices before you hire them. 

Consider delivery surcharges

Delivery surcharges are additional costs, calculated for special services. These may include handling fees for shipments that are bigger than the set values, fuel surcharges, and costs for delivery during weekends or holidays. If your customer leaves in a remote location, with bad roads, or in a hard-to-access destination, the courier company may charge extra for that as well. 

The bottom line

Shipping costs are your responsibility and customers expect to know every expense they have to pay when ordering from you. Find the best ways to send a package so it arrives safely at its destination without costing your buyers a small fortune. You can get an estimate by calculating the cost if you know all the parameters or asking a shipping company for quotes. Just keep in mind that long delivery times and high shipping fees may deter potential customers.