See Blog Categories

International Shipping Rate Calculator | How to Understand Your Shipping Cost

Nicasio Co III
  •  
October 20, 2020

Have you ever wondered what’s included in your shipping cost? Sure, people can understand that shipping costs are rising because of the pandemic. However, wouldn’t it be better if the charge given by a company’s international shipping rate calculator was broken down? This would help many shippers and buyers understand the factors behind the rising costs and subsequently help them make informed decisions on the cheapest international shipping from Canada. 

Worry no more! In this guide, we’ll break down the different things that affect shipping costs, and the factors that affect the price calculations. We can also ease any doubts about whether shipping companies can transport your packages internationally.

Does USPS Ship Internationally?

Definitely! Most logistics companies have partners that enable them to ship to other countries, so you don’t have to worry about questions like, “Can Amazon ship internationally?” In fact, the ecommerce giant is now transporting 26% of online orders using its own air fleet. This simplifies the delivery process for ecommerce sellers.

What is Shipping and Handling?

It’s the process of preparing, packing, and transporting an item to a customer. Consumers often see this as a separate fee in their ecommerce purchases, but not many understand what it covers. If we had to break it down, they would include the cost of packaging materials, warehouse space for inventory, delivery, transportation, and the manpower for all these activities. If you’re a buyer, anything that needs to be done after your purchase falls under shipping and handling. 

Shipping and handling are two separate processes, though these terms are used interchangeably. They ultimately have the same goal: get the items to the customer. Handling is everything that happens before a package is shipped: sorting, packaging, putting the correct label, and loading onto a shipping vessel. Shipping includes transportation, postage, fuel, driver fees, and any other extra cost. 

Ecommerce sellers need to know these processes as they are the factors that affect the cost of international shipping from Canada or any other country. 

What Affects Shipping Costs in International Shipping Rate Calculators?

The shipping business is very complex, with a lot of moving parts, and that’s the reason why your shipping cost is sometimes higher than you expect. A lot of factors affect the final price for standard international shipping. Here are some of the most common ones.

  1. Parcel Handling: As mentioned above, the sorting, packaging, labeling, and loading onto a shipping vessel of your parcel is considered handling. More handling means more labor needed, and that contributes to shipping costs.
  2. Shipping Charges: This refers to the transportation of your parcel from the warehouse to the customer. This includes all charges related to shipping, and sometimes human error resulting from the mislabeling of parcels or putting the wrong address.
  3. Shipping Insurance: Wouldn’t it be great if all packages arrived on time and without any damage? Unfortunately, we live in the real world. Packages sometimes don’t go through unscathed, so insurance provides protection. Shippers who will be transporting expensive or rare items are particularly advised to pay for insurance. Many carriers compute the insurance cost as a percentage of the item insured.
  4. Duties and Taxes: Shipping to another country can be a little tricky because there are fees that need to be paid, depending on the region. There are two options: Delivery Duty Unpaid (the recipient needs to pay) or Delivery Duty Paid (the shipper needs to pay). Disbursement fees may apply here as these fees are charged to clients who don’t pay their duties directly to customs. 
  5. Accessorial Fees: These fees are added after the shipment to make up for lost time and/or resources during shipping. Let’s talk about those.

Accessorial Fees Simplified

When an LTL (less-than-truckload) shipment is arranged, the carrier gives the terms of the pickup and delivery. This is the standard process, but the terms may change in busy shipping seasons. Accessorial fees are then added to the invoice to cover any services needed beyond the agreed terms. Shippers are also responsible for fuel surcharges that fluctuate regularly.

Carriers typically combine LTLs going in the same direction to optimize their routes and manpower. Now, if one LTL needs additional equipment or labor, it slows down the other LTLs. That means other companies are affected by your shipment and that’s computed by the carrier to be added to your invoice later. 

The most common accessorial fees come from border crossings, non-standard pickups (e.g., after-hours pickup, excessively long cargo, pickups from trade shows or farms, and hazardous cargo), and content or size of cargo. The way to probably avoid some of these added fees is to be completely transparent with your shipping company about the details of your package. 

Pricing Models

Using an international shipping rate calculator gives shippers a general idea on how much it costs to transport their packages, minus the added fees. Most carriers use one of two pricing models: flat rate shipping, and dimensional weight. 

Flat rate shipping, which is used by USPS, involves getting the average cost of all shipping and making it as your fixed rate. It almost certainly guarantees that you’ll pay a shipping cost based on the size of your package, ideal for anything less than 16 ounces.

Shipping based on dimensional weight, which is used by UPS and FedEx, computes the density of your package. They multiply the length, width, and height of the package and divide it by a carrier’s divisor (specified by the carrier) based on the package dimensions. This could be more expensive for large or heavy items but economical for standard-sized packages. 

Make Insightful Decisions

International shipping rate calculators can definitely give shippers an overview of your shipping cost. However, having more knowledge of what makes up the shipping costs will give you the ability to compare the price of your carrier and the rate they apply to their quote.
Stallion Express is an established shipping company that offers the cheapest shipping in Canada. If you need more information about the prices we offer on standard and priority international shipping, email us at [email protected].

Get started today! Ship faster, smarter, cheaper with Stallion.

Get Started Today.  Sign Up for Free!

Join the Stallion Newsletter

You’ll receive the best tips, strategies, and news on Canadian ecommerce.

Hear what online sellers in Canada are saying

"Stallion Express is a game changer for small business owners like myself. My online store wouldn't be where it's at today without the Stallion Express team."
Dorothy Wong
"Outstanding service. Delivery is always on time. Accessible location. Expert staff. There's nothing else I could ask for."
Norma Joseph
"Stallion Express has been fulfilling my shipments with excellence for the longest time. With their quick actions and unparalleled customer service, they are the best shipping company."
Lena Hulsey
See more articles from same author
Shipping from Canada to the US Cost When Shipping Cars & Everything You Need To Know

Since auto factories are based in the United States, it makes sense for Canadians to travel south of the border and buy a vehicle from the States. Since the cost of shipping a car from the US to Canada is lower than getting your car from a Canadian dealership, more and more Canadian drivers are […]

Read More
6 Best Practices in eCommerce Shipping and Receiving Services

Suppose you’re steadily growing your eCommerce business. Congratulations! The next essential step you have to take is making sure your shipping and receiving services make customers happy.  There are instances when unexpected eCommerce shipping issues pop up. You might encounter miscommunication with manufacturers, suppliers, or your customers. Shipping internationally might be a challenge. There could […]

Read More
7 Questions about Canada US Border Shipping

Many Canadian sellers consider expanding their online businesses beyond the border and into the United States, entering one of the largest eCommerce markets worldwide. However, many are having second thoughts due to the lengthy process of Canada US border shipping. Plus, shipping products from Canada to the US is costly, be it across the extensive […]

Read More
1 2 3 14
See more articles from same category
National Pet Day Canada 2024: Cat-ching Online Sales Strategies

National Pet Day is approaching! This special event is not just for our furry friends to celebrate. Business owners like you can also maximize this cat day as a purr-fect occasion to boost sales and improve brand identity. Let us discuss insights on "cat-ching" online sales strategies, whisking away the cat day competition one sale […]

Read More
National Sibling Day Canada 2024: Boosting Sales This Special Day

Most Canadians value their family members, especially their siblings. National Siblings Day is celebrated when we show our brothers and sisters extra love. While this is not a Canadian statutory holiday, it does not mean you don't have to celebrate it. Plus, it is a great opportunity for businesses to sell more stuff. Businesses can […]

Read More
How To Save With Express International Shipping (2024)

The eCommerce industry frequently relies on international shipping to send packages across borders quickly and efficiently. While express international shipping offers unparalleled speed and convenience, it can also come with significant costs. However, with strategic planning and the right approach, it's possible to save money without compromising on the speed and reliability of your shipments. […]

Read More
Stallion Express
Ship faster, smarter, and 
cheaper with Stallion Express
© 2023 Stallion Express  |  Legal
|  Sitemap
Ship faster, smarter, and cheaper with Stallion Express
Stallion Express 2020  |  
Legal
menuchevron-downcross-circle linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram