The core of saving on international express shipping costs by consolidating shipments is to leverage the initial weight and subsequent weight rules to reduce costs, optimize packaging to control volumetric weight, and avoid compliance and surcharge traps. Through a scientific consolidation strategy, up to 40% of shipping costs can be saved.
Next, Weefreight will provide a detailed analysis to help you.
I. Core Cost-Saving Logic: Seizing the Key Benefits of Consolidated Shipping
Avoiding Double Payment of Initial Weight Fees
The initial weight fee for international express shipping is usually 2-3 times the subsequent weight fee. When shipping multiple items separately, each item requires a separate initial weight fee. After consolidation, only one initial weight fee is required, and the remaining weight is calculated at the lower subsequent weight fee rate. For example, three 1-kilogram items would require three separate initial weight charges (assuming an initial weight charge of 100 yuan/kg), totaling 300 yuan. Consolidating them would only require one initial weight charge + two additional weight charges (50 yuan/kg), costing only 200 yuan, saving 100 yuan.
Enjoy Bulk Shipping Discounts
Major courier companies offer exclusive discounts for consolidating multiple items in one shipment: DHL offers up to 35% off shipping based on the number of packages and destination; FedEx offers discounts of 18%-32% for consolidating small and light packages; and freight forwarding channels can offer additional discounts for bulk shipments.
II. Practical Methods: Optimizing Consolidated Shipments Step by Step
First, confirm the prerequisites for consolidation to avoid ineffective operations.
The basis for consolidation is that the recipient and destination are exactly the same, and the goods do not contain dangerous/prohibited items, and the size differences are not significant (e.g., small envelopes and oversized suitcases cannot be consolidated). If the goods contain sensitive items such as batteries or liquids, they must be shipped through a separate, dedicated channel and cannot be mixed with general cargo; otherwise, security checks and confiscation will be triggered.
Optimize Packaging Methods to Control Volumetric Weight and Additional Fees
Compress Volume: Remove excess packaging boxes from cosmetics and fill gaps with lightweight materials such as bubble wrap and air bags to avoid increasing volumetric weight in empty boxes.
Properly Allocate Weight: Understand the weight-based billing rules of courier companies (e.g., DHL, FedEx, 0.5kg, 21kg, 30kg segments). If the total weight exceeds 30kg, split it into two evenly distributed packages to avoid triggering additional fees for single overweight items; also control the dimensions of individual packages to prevent oversized charges.
Utilize Transfer Warehouse Consolidation Services
Cross-border e-commerce sellers or individual overseas shoppers can send orders from multiple platforms to the same transfer warehouse or freight forwarder, taking advantage of the warehouse’s free storage period (usually 7-30 days) or the freight forwarder’s free storage policy to consolidate goods and repackage them. They can also request the removal of excess packaging to further reduce the chargeable weight. III. Key Points to Avoid Pitfalls: Avoid Combining Packages for Higher Costs
Avoid Blindly Combining Weight: If combined shipments exceed weight or size limits, triggering large item surcharges, it may actually be more expensive than shipping separately. For example, a shipment weighing 40kg can be split into two 20kg packages, saving approximately 200 RMB in overweight fees compared to a single 40kg package.
Confirm Hidden Charges in Advance: Some freight forwarders charge a consolidation and packing handling fee; this must be clarified beforehand. Also, confirm the destination port customs policies. For example, combined electronic products must be declared separately according to regulations to avoid demurrage fees due to non-compliance.
Unify Logistics Information: Combined packages should only have one master waybill. If separate waybills are needed, affix the required labels as per the courier’s instructions to avoid label confusion and secondary processing fees.
** IV. Special Scenarios: Bulk Consolidation Techniques for Cross-Border E-commerce Sellers
Sellers can categorize multiple orders by destination country and consolidate shipments 1-2 times per week. Simultaneously, they can sign long-term cooperation agreements with courier companies to lock in exclusive bulk consolidation rates. For key markets such as Europe and the United States, a “overseas warehouse preparation + local delivery” model can be adopted to replace consolidated shipments via international express direct mail, further reducing last-mile shipping costs and time-sensitive risks.
(Note: All costs mentioned above are for reference only. Please refer to the actual invoice for details. Thank you!)
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