Many experienced cross-border shoppers know that most overseas merchants do not support direct shipping to China, requiring us to have goods shipped back via a forwarding service. Freight forwarders emerged to meet this need, specializing in serving cross-border shoppers and merchants by receiving packages on behalf of shoppers and then forwarding them to China. So how is the shipping cost for cross-border forwarding calculated? Generally, it is as follows:
1. First Weight and Additional Weight
Package weight: Forwarding fees are typically calculated based on the actual weight of the package, though some also use volumetric weight. The shipping cost mainly consists of a first weight price plus an additional weight price, with the total being the freight we need to pay.
1.1 First Weight
Forwarding companies charge the first weight per pound, usually 1 pound. If the weight is less than 1 pound, it is still counted as 1 pound. Generally, the price for regular goods ranges from 30 to 50 RMB per pound, varying by company. For high-value items, prices differ; you can inquire with each forwarding company's customer service for details.
1.2 Additional Weight
Additional weight refers to the weight exceeding the first weight. The price for additional weight is usually the same as the first weight, though some forwarding companies may offer a slightly lower rate. If the package weight does not exceed the first weight, only the first weight fee is charged.
1.3 Note
Many forwarding companies play word games by using tricks with the units of first weight and additional weight. Don't just look at the low price; also pay attention to the units. For example, some may list 35 RMB per 1000 grams, while others write 3 RMB per 0.01 gram. Be especially careful with unit conversions to avoid being taken advantage of by forwarding companies!
2. Value-Added Services
2.1 Value-Added Service Fees
Value-added services are a common fee charged by every forwarding company (such as splitting boxes, combining boxes, inventory checking, photo taking, reinforcement, and a series of other services known as value-added services). These services are generally charged, though some forwarding companies offer them for free. Typically, each value-added service costs around 10 to 20 RMB.
Therefore, if your cross-border package requires such services, the total fee announced by the forwarding company should include these costs, as they are additional charges.
2.2 Combining and Splitting Box Fees
In addition to charges based on item weight, if you order multiple packages to the forwarding company and want to combine them into one package for shipping to China, you will need to use the combined shipping method. This also affects the forwarding fee. Most forwarding companies offer free combining for up to 5 packages.
3. Transfer Warehouse Fees
U.S. product prices are quoted without tax, but sales tax for the state where the purchase is made is added at checkout. Sales tax rates vary by state and by product type. There are 5 tax-free states in the U.S. (Oregon is commonly used). If a forwarding company has a warehouse in one of these tax-free states, goods shipped to that warehouse are tax-free. However, tax-free states do not have flights to China, so transfer to another warehouse is required, incurring transfer fees. Therefore, before placing an order, be sure to check whether the forwarding company's warehouse is in a tax-free state and its free storage period (submit your package before the free storage time expires!).
4. Shipping Routes and Channels
Different routes and channels have different fees: This is tied to the routes offered by the forwarding company. Many forwarding companies now have routes to different countries or different routes for the same country due to product factors or tax subsidy options. The fees vary depending on the channel used, so it's important to understand this before making a cross-border purchase.
5. New User Benefits
5.1 New User Discounts
Most forwarding companies offer new user benefits to cross-border shoppers, such as coupons upon registration.
5.2 Other Discount Benefits
You can earn forwarding points by sharing order photos, which can be directly used to offset shipping fees. There are also referral and invitation programs that provide points. When choosing a forwarding company, new users should understand these promotional policies to save a significant amount of money.
5.3 Forwarding companies may collaborate with the Bacao O website. By registering a forwarding company account through the Bacao O website, you can receive additional coupons. Keep an eye on the website for updates!
That covers how Black Friday cross-border forwarding fees are charged and what to watch out for. Everyone surely has other forwarding tips and experiences to organize on their own.
Additionally, when choosing a forwarding company, new cross-border shoppers should not only look at whether the fees are cheap. Check various cross-border forums for the company's reputation or ask experienced shoppers in cross-border groups for reliable merchants. Then, assess whether the forwarding company has many users and whether its delivery speed is fast before making a decision. It is recommended that beginners choose forwarding companies with a large user base and a long history of operation.