Shipping Costs Explained: Quotes, Dimensional Weight & Ways to Sav
Understanding Your Shipping Costs: Quotes, Weight, and Value Explained Ever received a shipping quote only to be surprised by a higher final charge? You’re not alone. Many shoppers and small businesses encounter unexpected shipping costs due to volumetric weight, service types, or repacking needs. This guide explains how shipping pricing works, why it may differ from the original quote, and what you can do to save on international shipping, especially when using a parcel forwarding service like ShipByMail. Whether you’re shipping from Canada to the US or internationally, understanding these basics can help you avoid surprise charges and make smarter shipping decisions. Shipping Quotes vs. Final Charges: Why They Sometimes Differ Shipping quotes are typically estimates, based on the information available at the time of calculation. These are usually determined using: Estimated package weight Assumed dimensions Service level (economy, express, etc.) Destination country or region However, final shipping charges may differ due to: Actual measured weight and size after parcel arrival Repacking requirements (e.g., too much packaging material) Customs-related fees if [...]