The fastest way to save money on international shipping is to compare courier prices before you book. Based on ShippingToGo's shipping data, customers who compare at least two carrier options save 18–25% on average. Beyond comparing rates, optimizing your package dimensions, understanding volumetric weight, and grouping shipments can reduce costs by an additional 10–30%.
Why Shipping Costs Vary — And How to Use That to Your Advantage
Shipping isn't just about getting from point A to point B. It's about making sure your package arrives on time, at a fair price, and in the easiest way possible – no pressure, no surprises. At ShippingToGo, we believe a more connected world is a better one, and that's why we've built a system that helps you compare prices, pack smartly, and save both time and money.
Choose a courier that fits you the best
Connecting people with products, services, and ideas expands their horizons and increases their quality of life. We believe that a connected world is a better world, and it is this belief that drives everything we do at ShippingToGo.
Deliveries are priced individually depending on the measurements as well as on what the package includes. We will only present you with the best deals and leave you free to choose the choice that you want without pressuring you.
Based on ShippingToGo's shipping data, DHL, FedEx, and UPS all price international routes differently depending on destination, zone, and parcel characteristics. A route where DHL is cheapest for a 1kg parcel may see FedEx as the best value at 5kg. This is why comparing rates for every shipment — not just once — consistently delivers savings.
Tip 1: Compare Multiple Couriers Before Every Shipment
The single most impactful action you can take is to compare courier prices before committing to a carrier. Rates between DHL, FedEx, and UPS for the same package and route can differ by 20–40%. ShippingToGo shows all available rates side-by-side in seconds.
- Get real-time quotes from DHL, FedEx, and UPS simultaneously
- Filter by delivery speed, price, or service level
- Book the cheapest option that meets your delivery requirements
- Avoid the markup from booking directly through carrier retail channels
We provide some of the most affordable domestic and foreign shipping rates because we deal with courier partners who provide us with large volumes of orders in exchange for lower rates. Our services are of the same high quality as booking directly with the courier; the only difference is that when you book online with us, you save money.
Tip 2: Understand Volumetric Weight and Pack Tightly
Since our postage costs are calculated based on volumetric weight, knowing the weight and dimensions of the contents in your package is a good place to start. Make sure your goods are packed as small as possible.
Volumetric weight (also called dimensional weight) is calculated using this formula:
Volumetric Weight = (Length × Width × Height in cm) ÷ 5,000
If the volumetric weight exceeds the actual weight, you pay for the volumetric weight. For example, a large but lightweight box measuring 60cm × 50cm × 40cm has a volumetric weight of 24kg — even if the actual contents weigh only 5kg.
Practical packing tips to reduce volumetric weight:
- Choose the smallest box that safely fits your items
- Remove excess void fill after cushioning fragile items
- For soft goods like clothing, use padded envelopes instead of rigid boxes
- Consolidate multiple smaller items into one appropriately sized shipment
- Measure carefully — rounding up dimensions adds cost
Tip 3: Plan What You Buy and Group Shipments
The cost of delivery can make or break a potential buyer's decision. When selling an item, you must be savvy and cost-conscious when it comes to shipping. Make sure that the shipping costs aren't factored into the item's price, so the price of your goods is separated from the delivery costs.
- Plan what you want to buy or ship in advance
- To make it easier, group related objects together into a single shipment
- When cleaning out belongings to sell, look for top-selling pieces that can ship together
Each shipment carries a base handling fee regardless of weight. By consolidating multiple items into one package, you eliminate duplicate base fees and reduce cost per item shipped. This is especially effective for ecommerce sellers with recurring shipments to the same region.
Tip 4: Choose the Right Service Level for Your Timeline
Express services (next day, 1–2 days) cost significantly more than economy or standard international services (3–7 days). Ask yourself: does this shipment genuinely need to arrive tomorrow? If not, choosing the standard economy service on the same carrier can reduce your cost by 30–50%.
| Service Level | Typical Transit Time | Relative Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express (e.g., DHL Express) | 1–3 business days | Highest | Urgent documents, time-sensitive goods |
| Priority International | 2–4 business days | High | Business shipments with moderate urgency |
| Standard International | 4–7 business days | Medium | Regular e-commerce orders |
| Economy International | 7–14 business days | Lowest | Non-urgent packages, personal items |
Tip 5: Use ShippingToGo's Competitive Pricing
The price is the number one reason people prefer ShippingToGo to send a shipment. We provide some of the most affordable domestic and foreign shipping rates because we deal with courier partners who provide us with large volumes of orders in exchange for lower rates.
These savings can then be used as you please, whether it's to sell your goods if you run a small business or to give holiday presents — an even better gift!
ShippingToGo allows you to play games, while you are trying to send packages. Every Friday, a winner is selected at random to earn a refund on their order, so if you have a package to send, don't forget to use the hashtag #ShippingToGo in your tweet.
Tip 6: Avoid Common Surcharges
Several courier surcharges are easy to avoid with a little preparation:
- Remote area surcharge — some destinations in rural areas attract an additional fee. Check if a nearby city address can be used for business shipments.
- Incorrect weight/dimension declaration — couriers re-weigh packages and charge for any discrepancy. Measure accurately to avoid adjustments.
- Signature required surcharge — waive the mandatory signature for non-sensitive deliveries when available.
- Residential delivery surcharge — shipping to a business address is often cheaper than a residential address for commercial couriers. Verify this when possible.
- Saturday delivery surcharge — unless genuinely needed, choose standard Mon–Fri delivery windows.
Tip 7: Prepare Complete Documentation First Time
Incomplete or incorrect customs documentation causes shipment holds, re-routing, and additional fees — all of which increase your total cost significantly. Preparing your commercial invoice, packing list, and HS codes correctly before booking avoids these preventable costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I save money on international shipping?
Compare courier prices before every shipment — ShippingToGo shows live rates from DHL, FedEx, and UPS side by side. Additionally: minimize package dimensions to reduce volumetric weight, ship economy when delivery is not urgent, consolidate multiple items into one shipment, and avoid avoidable surcharges such as remote area fees and incorrect weight declarations.
What is volumetric weight and how does it affect my shipping cost?
Volumetric weight equals (length × width × height in cm) ÷ 5,000. If this exceeds your actual package weight, you are charged for the volumetric weight. A 60×50×40cm box has a volumetric weight of 24kg regardless of actual contents. Packing tightly and choosing the smallest safe box directly reduces what you pay.
Does comparing couriers really save money?
Yes. Based on ShippingToGo's shipping data, customers who compare at least two carrier options save 18–25% on average compared to booking directly with a single carrier at retail rates. DHL, FedEx, and UPS price routes differently, so the cheapest carrier depends on your specific origin, destination, and package size.
Is it cheaper to book through ShippingToGo than directly with a courier?
Yes. ShippingToGo negotiates volume-based rates with DHL, FedEx, and UPS that are lower than standard retail prices. These savings are passed directly to customers. You receive the same carrier service, tracking, and insurance — at a lower price than booking directly through the carrier's own website.
How does grouping shipments save money?
Every shipment incurs a base handling fee. By consolidating multiple small items into a single package going to the same destination, you pay one base fee instead of several, plus benefit from a lower per-kg rate on the combined weight. This is especially valuable for ecommerce sellers with regular outbound shipments to the same region.
When should I choose economy over express shipping?
Choose economy (4–14 business days) instead of express (1–3 days) whenever the recipient can accept a slightly longer wait. Economy services from DHL, FedEx, and UPS typically cost 30–50% less than express for the same route. For routine ecommerce orders and non-urgent personal shipments, economy almost always provides the best value.
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