How are shipping costs and service fees calculated?
A shipment costs the carrier's shipping cost for your measured package and address, plus Tiptrans service fees for your plan. What affects the shipping cost, why the calculator can differ from your account, and which fees are added.
A shipment costs two things: the shipping cost the carrier charges for your package, and Tiptrans service fees. The shipping cost depends on the warehouse, the carrier service, the package's weight and size, and your delivery address. The service fees depend on your plan and on the services you order.
What the shipping cost depends on
- Warehouse and carrier service. Each warehouse has its own carriers and prices. If you choose a carrier based in another country than your package, for example a Hong Kong carrier for a package in Shenzhen or Czech Post for a package in Germany, the price already includes moving the package there. See Which carriers ship from each warehouse?
- Weight. Many services charge by volumetric weight when it is higher than the actual weight. Volumetric weight in kg = length × width × height in cm ÷ 5,000. A 50 × 40 × 30 cm box counts as 12 kg, even if it weighs 5 kg.
- Size. Each service has size limits. A long or oversized box can add a surcharge or rule a service out.
- Destination country and exact address. Some carriers add a remote-area surcharge for certain zip codes or cities.
- Contents. Our rates are for common goods. Batteries, liquids and other restricted items limit the choice of carriers, and some carriers charge more for them. See Prohibited and restricted items.
- Exchange rate. Carriers bill in their local currency. We convert their prices to US dollars at an exchange rate we update every day.
A smaller, lighter box costs less to ship. See Consolidation explained and Can my package be repacked or shrunk?
Calculator estimate vs the price in your account
The shipping cost calculator gives an estimate. It uses the weight and dimensions you type in and a default address in the destination country, because it doesn't know your address. For the steps, see How to get a shipping quote.
The prices in your account are calculated from the weight and dimensions we measure at the warehouse and from your shipping address, including the zip code. If you change the shipping address, they are recalculated. The two can differ because:
- the measured weight or size is not what you entered, or you left out the dimensions, so the calculator could not count volumetric weight or size surcharges;
- your address is in an area with a remote-area surcharge;
- the exchange rate or the carrier's prices changed in the meantime;
- the package contains restricted items, so we offer other carriers or ask you to confirm a different price.
The prices on the Shipping method tab of your package are the ones you pay.
Why some routes cost more
Our rates include discounts that carriers give us, so they are often lower than the carriers' own prices. Popular routes usually get bigger discounts. Routes with few shipments may get little or no discount and can cost more than you expect. Compare every carrier in the calculator to find the best price.
Fees added to the shipping cost
Once you select a carrier, the package page shows Price: the total, and in brackets the shipping cost, the service fee and insurance.
| Fee | Standard | Premium | Business Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dispatch fee, per shipped package (shown as Service fee) | $5 | $0 | $0 |
| Priority Dispatch, optional, ordered with the link under Dispatch package | $2 | $1 | $0.50 |
- Insurance is optional and costs a percentage of the declared value. See Shipping insurance explained.
- Duties & Taxes are added only when you prepay the import charges (DDP). See Prepaid duties and taxes (DDP).
The total is deducted from your balance when you click Dispatch package, so your balance must cover it. If it doesn't, the page shows Package is ready to ship, but first you need to top up your account. See How to dispatch a package and How to top up balance.
Other fees, charged separately
These are charged when the service happens, not with the shipment:
| Fee | Standard | Premium | Business Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Received package, Hong Kong warehouse only | $5 | $0 | $0 |
| Mail, per letter received | $10 | $0 | $0 |
| Consolidation, per consolidation order | $5 | $3 | $1 |
| Dispatch instructions for the warehouse, only if you write some | $3 | $2 | $1 |
- Storage is charged after the 30 free days, or on arrival when your storage space is full. See Free storage and storage fees explained and Storage space per plan: what if a package doesn't fit?.
- Packing material, up to $5 per box, is charged only when we have to use a new box. See Consolidation explained.
- Pickup by your own carrier is priced differently from carrier shipping. See Can I collect my package in person or with my own carrier?
- Customs duties and taxes are set by the destination country and are not Tiptrans fees. See Customs duties and taxes explained.
All current fees, including special requests, are on the price list.