The SKUTOPIA Shipping Platform quotes you for shipping your orders based on the information provided to it by yourself or from your Shopify store.
This means the quotes are highly dependent on the accuracy of the information provided. For example, where it is coming from, being sent to, and the weight of the shipment.
To understand how to avoid additional surcharges and fees, first we’ll start with looking at what factors influence the quotes shown in the SKUTOPIA Shipping Platform.
What factors affect the quote of a rate?
The following factors play into the quotes surfaced within the SKUTOPIA Shipping Platform:
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Sender Address: The origin location of the shipment.
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Recipient Address: The destination location of the shipment.
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Declared Parcel Weight: The declared total weight of the package(s).
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Declared Parcel Dimensions: The declared length, width, and height of the package(s).
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Carrier: Different carriers have different rates and surcharges.
Shipping Service Level: The speed of delivery chosen, such as standard, express, next day, or same day shipping. -
Fuel Surcharges: Many carriers add fuel surcharges to their rates.
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Special Services: Additional services such as signature confirmation, alcohol delivery, or hazardous materials handling.
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Seasonal Rates: Some carriers may have seasonal pricing adjustments or additional temporary surcharges
Out of all of the above the declared parcel weight and dimensions are most sensitive to accuracy, and are key to avoid additional and surprise charges down the track.
What factors affect declared parcel weight and dimensions?
Each parcel's final weight and dimensions must be recorded on each shipment before booking them.
To ensure this, the below serves as a guide for understanding what factors come into play for parcel weight and dimensions.
- Product Weight: The weight of an individual item or product being shipped, excluding any additional packaging or protective materials. This is the raw weight of the product itself as measured on a scale.
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Product Packaging Weight: The weight of any individual packaging that the product comes in, such as a product box or blister pack.
- Protective Packaging Weight: The weight of materials used to protect the product(s) during transit, such as bubble wrap, foam peanuts, packing paper, or air pillows.
- Parcel Packaging Weight: The weight of the outer shipping container, such as a cardboard box, padded envelope, or shipping crate.
- Parcel Dimensions: The dimensions of the outer shipping container typically measured LxWxH in centimetres.
How do I avoid additional surcharges and fees?
Now that you are familiar with the factors that impact a quote, parcel weight and dimensions we can talk about exactly how you avoid additional surcharges and fees.
The trick is keeping on top of your product weights and parcel weights within Shopify and/or SKUTOPIA.
We suggest, in Shopify, you record the sum of Product Weight and Product Packaging Weight as weighed on a scale for each product and variant.
Likewise, in the SKUTOPIA Shipping Platform, we recommend adding the Protective Packaging Weight, Parcel Packaging Weight, and Parcel Dimensions for each of your parcels used in SKUTOPIA, especially your default parcel.
For more information, please refer to the following guides