Guide For International Shipping Cost
International shipping is a fact of life for many e-commerce entrepreneurs, but it doesn’t have to be a drain on your wallet. In fact, there are several low-cost or even free methods for international shipping if you know where to look. Follow the tips from this blog post to learn about international shipping costs.
How Much Does It International Shipping Cost?
The first thing you need to know about international shipping cost estimates is that they are not always accurate. The price may not be correct because you are paying for one leg, two legs, or multiple legs. For example, if you ship with FedEx, the price includes only one leg when the shipment should actually include at least one more leg. Some of the companies that offer these services do give you the option of additional charges when you determine the number of legs in your shipment. However, most people don’t bother doing any additional calculations to see if the final price will be reasonable.
What If I Can’t Afford International Shipping Cost?
There are options available if you can’t afford international shipping costs – either full freight or partial freight. When you are using full freight, you pay for everything upfront. You must select “full freight” at check out. Full freight is great when you are selling high-volume products and want to save money. However, you would probably lose some business if you were listing items that required individualized service. With part freight, you pay something upfront and then use a lower rate for subsequent shipments. You should still research international shipping rates before making any commitments since some carriers charge you extra for each additional piece that you ship.
How Do I Calculate My International Shipping Cost?
There are a few ways to calculate what you will pay for international shipping. Most experts advise against using online calculators since they often provide inaccurate results. You want to use this method of calculating when you have decided exactly which items you plan to sell in the United States. This way, you know exactly what you are committing yourself to. Also, you won’t be surprised by unexpected fees like currency conversions, customs duties, and taxes. The chart below lists the steps you need to follow to calculate your international shipping cost:
Step 1 – Determine Your Expected Sales Volume
You must decide how much quantity you expect to sell in the U.S. before you start planning your international shipment. This is especially important if you are offering discounts based on order volumes. For example, if 50% of your customers buy three pieces of jewelry, you need to figure out how many you will need to ship to get your average customer $100 worth of merchandise per month.
Step 2 – Calculate Total Product Weight
Now that you have figured how many items you are expecting to sell, multiply the total weight of these items by their price. This will help you decide how much to spend per item. Next, add together all the prices to find your expected total.
Step 3 – Subtract Additional Costs From Estimated Gross Revenue
This step is optional. Many companies factor in additional expenses into their profit margin calculation. These might include sales tax, currency conversion, customs duties and taxes, brokerage fees, insurance, as well as other hidden costs of running a company.
Step 4 – Multiply Expected Monthly Gross Profit By 12 Months
Once you know what you are spending on international shipping, you can estimate how much revenue you will earn over a year.
Step 5 – Add Up All The Numbers
Finally, add up all the numbers mentioned above and divide the result by twelve months to get your estimated annual earnings. The reason why you should multiply your gross monthly revenues by twelve months instead of dividing them is that there are usually long periods between purchases in addition to unforeseen circumstances that could change how quickly you generate income.
Shipping Options
If you are shipping multiple items within the same package, you can choose from four types of international shippers: USPS, AES shipping, UPS, DHL, and FedEx. Each option has its own pros and cons so make sure you ask your clients about their preferences.
Option Type Pros Cons USPS Tracking available FREE Usually faster than others with guaranteed delivery date and tracking information Available for packages under 10 pounds Custom Saver Same-day processing No additional charges due to large volume Service Fee may apply May require special packaging depending on product needs Insurance Yes May not cover damage during transit Customs Fees Yes Limited availability Foreign Trusted Company Required Poor reputation in UAE
The most popular choice among both buyers and sellers is AES shipping. It offers fast shipping times, easy tracking, and competitive pricing. Since AES shipping does not offer overnight shipping, you’ll need to arrange for your own courier. If you prefer a more personal touch, the foreign post office service also includes private postal boxes and couriers who deliver packages directly to your door.
Packing & Packaging Tips
There are a few things you can do to lower your shipping costs. First, try to pack your goods into containers that fit the size requirements of each company you use. Check the dimensions of the box prior to picking any items inside. Once you reach the maximum capacity, simply return to the store to reorder.
Another way to save money is to purchase a container or pallet for bulk shipping. They come in varying sizes, including 20, 40, and 60 footers. Depending on the country you’re sending the merchandise to, the cost of shipping can range anywhere from $15-$50 per cubic meter or $250-$1,000 per tonne. However, having access to larger trucks means you don’t have to pay as much to ship your item overseas.
Another big factor affecting shipping prices is the distance from the originating location to the port or airport where your shipment will arrive. For example, international destinations such as Australia and New Zealand can be more costly since they are further away from the United States. While Amazon calculates shipping costs according to weight and distance from the origin, some companies calculate it differently and list those variables separately on their websites.
Shipping Fees
The final variable to consider is the fee charged by the customs agent handling your importation paperwork. These fees vary widely by country and depend on whether or not your shipment arrives by sea, air, or land. If you would like to learn more about the different ways you can get your merchandise across borders, please contact us. We are happy to help!
With an understanding of what shipping and customs agents normally charge, you can now make plans for reducing international shipping costs. There are many ways in which you can either decrease or eliminate costs associated with shipping.
Conclusion
If you are planning to send some unique items overseas, why not take advantage of the process used by large stores? One thing you will notice is that stores tend to order items in bulk. Typically, they use a shipping service that has negotiated a rate with the customs facility at the port. Therefore, in order to save money by packaging your own items, you must find the same sort of wholesale distributor. The only problem is that many wholesalers want to sell to individuals rather than businesses.
