Dimensional weight can have a big impact on your final shipping cost. Understanding how it is calculated and making small adjustments to your shipping process could help you save a lot of money.

What is dimensional weight?

DIM weight, also known as volumetric weight, takes into account the density of your package to calculate the shipping costs. Carriers are essentially considering the amount of space that your package will take in their truck or plane, rather than your package’s actual weight.

Imagine a large box filled with feathers. Although it is considerably lighter than a smaller box filled with rocks, it might end up being more expensive to ship than the box of rocks because of how much larger it is.

How do I calculate Dimensional Weight?

The formula to calculate the DIM weight of a package based on its size is:

Dimensional Weight = (Length x Width x Height) ÷ Divisor
 

The divisor varies based on the carrier you select and your package’s destination.

GlobalPost uses a DIM factor of 139 for packages to Canada, and 166 for all other international destinations.

For example, let’s say your box is 12 inches x 20 inches x 20 inches, and you’re shipping it to France.
(12 x 20 x 20) ÷ 166 =  28.9. The DIM weight of your package is 29 pounds.

If the actual weight of your package is less than 29 pounds (e.g. 25 lbs), you will be billed for 29 pounds
If the package is heavier than the DIM weight (e.g. 31 lbs), you will be billed for 31 lbs.

You can see how impactful DIM weight can be to your bottom line. As a shipper, you want to ensure than whenever possible, the dimensional weight of your package falls below its actual physical weight.

How can I reduce the DIM weight (and shipping costs) of my packages?

Dimensional weight can be reduced by making your packages smaller. You should attempt to package your goods in the smallest box you can (safely) use.

Look at your product portfolio and consider whether you have the right box for each product. If the goods you sell vary in size, but you use a single size box for every shipment, you could very well be paying more than you need.

You could also consider removing the goods from their original factory box and repackaging them in a smaller box.

Finally, look at your wrapping materials. Is there a way to safely replace bulky fillers with thinner ones? This could allow you to use a smaller box for your shipment.

Feel free to contact GlobalPost if you have any questions. We hope this article helped you better understand dimensional weight and gave you some ideas on how to potentially reduce your shipping costs.

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Benefits of consolidation

Shipping consolidation essentially consists of multiple pre-packaged orders being palletized together in a larger box. While consolidating your shipments takes a little more effort upfront, the cost savings are unparalleled. GlobalPost users can save up to 30% on fulfillment costs through the SmartSaver program. As you’ll see below, the shipping rates for consolidated packages traveling not only across the country, but across the world, come with big savings, compared to sending them directly through USPS.

Once your packages have been consolidated, the shipping label will direct the package to one of our conveniently-located distribution hubs around the US. From there, the packages are sorted, measured, and assigned the appropriate customs forms (for applicable international packages) for a more hassle-free shipping experience. After your orders are prepared for shipping, we turn to our diverse network of carriers to ensure disruption-free routing to your destination. This means that in the event of a supply chain or carrier delay, GlobalPost is still able to provide timely delivery of your packages.

 Other benefits of consolidation with GlobalPost include:

• Flexibility with pickup – GlobalPost users have the ability to choose either an end of day pickup or to schedule a preferred pickup time.
• Disruption-free routing: GlobalPost partners with a network of carriers, meaning your package has fewer transfers in the first mile of shipping and makes it to its destination despite supply chain or carrier disruptions.
• Customer service – GlobalPost has a live, dedicated support team to address any issue or delays with your packages, unlike most public mail carriers.
• Sustainability – There are fewer carbon emissions on the first mile of transit with GlobalPost than with other carriers.

How to Opt into GlobalPost’s SmartSaver Program

GlobalPost users who ship at least five shipments daily are able to sign up for the SmartSaver service for no additional cost or subscription fee. This program offers up to 30% off shipping label costs on domestic and international shipping. Members of the SmartSaver program have various benefits, depending on their monthly shipping volume, including the ability to schedule convenient dropoffs and pickups. GlobalPost is available as a carrier through select shipping platforms, including Stamps.com, Endicia, ShipStation, ShippingEasy, and ShipWorks, and there is no additional fee to have GlobalPost enabled. If you’re interested in learning more about the SmartSaver program, reach out to info@globalpost.com.

Conclusion

If your business is quickly expanding, consolidated shipping options like GlobalPost’s SmartSaver program are worth exploring. GlobalPost’s container labels, pickup, and drop-off options give users the ability to easily consolidate shipments and potentially cut down on package transit times. With over 45,000 happy users, and a dedicated phone and email support team, GlobalPost provides users with a reliable consolidated shipping option and disruption-free routing.

The post Benefits of Parcel Consolidation for Domestic & International E-commerce Orders appeared first on GlobalPost.

What are surcharges?
When packages don’t follow USPS regulations or dimensional changes, USPS can add extra fees, or surcharges, to shipments. Once scanned in to their system, USPS will check the dimensions of your package to confirm they match the measurement requirements of your selected service. If these measurements differ, USPS can issue surcharges to your packages. The surcharges received for multiple orders with the same, incorrect dimensions can quickly add up. Also, these shipments can take longer to process because USPS may have to take additional steps to correct the service.

What are the new surcharges?
In April, USPS is going to charge more for really long and really big packages. These charges apply to Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, USPS Retail Ground, and Parcel Select, and these changes will not apply to Media Mail or First-Class Package Service. These surcharges will also be applied to both domestic and commercial shipments.

This means shipments with:

• Sides longer than 22” will be subject to $4 fees,
• Sides longer than 30” or over 2 cubic feet (3,456”) will be subject to $15 fees.

*Note: Your package’s cubic measurements can be found using [ Length x Width x Height ] / 1728.

Can I dispute an adjustment or surcharge?
For any questions about adjustments or surcharges received on your packages, reach out to GlobalPost’s support team directly at (888) 899-1255 or support@goglobalpost.com. Provide as much of the following information as possible:

• Adjustment ID
• Last four digits of the tracking number
• The reason for the dispute (as much detail as possible)

How can I save on shipping costs and non-compliance fees?
Good news! GlobalPost users are not subject to the $1.50 dimension non-compliance fees included in this most recent USPS change because our facilities weigh and measure each piece accurately before providing to USPS.

GlobalPost users who ship at least five international shipments per day are also able to sign up for SmartSaver , which offers up to 30% off shipping costs. For more information on how to join SmartSaver, please reach out to our sales team at info@goglobalpost.com

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The post USPS Surcharge Changes for April 2022 appeared first on GlobalPost.

GlobalPost works alongside carriers to provide our users with the best and most affordable international shipping options. With the current service disruptions, our carriers are unable to safely deliver shipments to these areas.

Once we are able to find a different means of ground or air transportation, we will continue partnering with carriers to ensure your shipments arrive efficiently. We hope to resume services as soon as possible, and we will update this blog as we have additional information and updates.

To learn how to help and donate to relief funds, visit the Red Cross’s website.

The post Ukraine and Russia service disruptions appeared first on GlobalPost.

And now, new rules which came in effect in January 2022 prohibit merchants from shipping magazines (and other publications such as catalogs and brochures) to France in plastic wrapping.

While La Poste, France’s postal service, is not enforcing the rule yet, we strongly advise you to start avoiding plastic wrapping while shipping press and publications and use biodegradable alternatives instead, such as compostable cellulose fiber, potato starch wrap, recycled envelopes, or paper wrap.

The post France is expanding its anti-waste laws. Is it impacting your business? appeared first on GlobalPost.

The IOSS scheme has proven to be effective in limiting the number of unexpected additional charges for consumers. But there have been some corner cases where VAT was collected twice, once at point of sale and once again during the import process.

So how can you recoup this double taxation? The good news is that there is a mechanism for ecommerce shippers to reclaim their money by submitting a claim on subsequent IOSS returns which include a section for such corrections/claims for VAT overpayments.

Please contact your EU financial intermediary or marketplace to determine what is required to claim a refund on double-taxed items. Feel free to contact us for any additional guidance.

The post IOSS Update: How to Handle Double Taxation? appeared first on GlobalPost.

PMI parcels currently in transit will be delivered (although delays should be expected) but items entered on or after 1/28/22 will be returned to the sender and marked as ““Mail Service Suspended — Return to Sender”. The USPS will provide a full refund of the shipping costs.

If you need to ship to China during this suspension period, then we recommend you use GlobalPost International Standard. Enjoy doo-to-door tracking, free coverage up to $100 against loss or damage, and more.

If you don’t see GlobalPost International Standard as an option in your shipping software, contact Customer Care at 1-888-434-0055 (open Monday to Friday, 6 am to 6 pm PT) to request access to GlobalPost carrier services.

The post USPS Service suspension to China appeared first on GlobalPost.

The following services are impacted:

• Priority Mail Express International (PMEI)
• Priority Mail International (PMI)
• First-Class Mail International (FCMI)
• First-Class Package International Service (FCPIS)
• International Priority Airmail (IPA) Packets
• International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) Packets
• Airmail M-bags

Parcels currently in the mail stream will be marked as “Mail Service Suspended —Return to Sender” and sent back to shippers. The U.S Postal Service will issue a full refund of the shipping expenses paid.

Alternate Delivery Options to Hong Kong
If you have a shipment you need to send to Hong Kong during this suspension period, we recommend you use GlobalPost Standard International.

GlobalPost Standard International gets door-to-door tracking capabilities to over 200 countries and uses a network of postal carriers which provides a similar service to First Class Package International Service at a lower rate.

If you don’t see GlobalPost International Standard as an option in your shipping software, contact Customer Care at 1-888-434-0055 (open Monday to Friday, 6 am to 6 pm PT) to request access to GlobalPost carrier services.

The post USPS Service Suspension to Hong Kong appeared first on GlobalPost.

What are HS Codes and why are they important?
HS code is short for Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System. HS codes are used by customs authorities around the world to identify products when assessing duties and taxes and for gathering statistics. As a shipper, adding HS codes to your customs declaration makes for a much quicker and smoother clearance process. Incorrect or missing HS Codes can lead to potential delays in customs. Also, without an HS code attached to a product, shippers are at the mercy of customs officials to determine proper product classification before receiving customs clearance.

Why do HS codes change?
HS codes are updated to account for the development of new products, and to eliminate products and/or categories which have become obsolete. For example, the prior (2017) HS edition did not have a separate category for smartphones or Hybrid vehicles. In the 2022 edition, relatively recent products such as 3D printers, drones, and vape pens, have been assigned a code. And some growing markets, such as insect-based human food, have become large enough to warrant their own category.

For a full breakdown of the 2022 updates, click here to download the amendment list from the WCO website.

How can I find the HS codes for your products?
Use our free HS Classification Tool to easily identify your products codes. It only takes a few clicks to automatically generate the approved HS code for your product using the World Customs Organization schedule.

The post 2022 updates to the Harmonized System appeared first on GlobalPost.

Now, La Poste (the designated operator of France’s postal system) has announced additional measures coming in effect on January 1st, 2022:

In addition to the rules applicable to IOSS (business-to-consumer (B2C) flows below 150 EUR), online marketplaces are also liable for VAT in the following cases:

• B2C flows below 150 EUR with a sale brokered by an online marketplace not registered with the IOSS system.
• B2C flows below 150 EUR not eligible for the IOSS system: articles subject to restrictions and prohibitions, excisable items.
• B2C flows above 150 EUR.

Click here to see La Poste’s full statement.

What this means for sellers shipping goods to France is that they will now be obliged to collect VAT on goods valued above 150 euros. In order to comply, merchants will need to obtain a French VAT identity number from the French tax authorities, which will allow them to pay back the VAT collected during commercial transactions.

This announcement raises a lot of questions. Traditionally, the EU aligns the rules for the postal Union and rolls out changes across all member countries. Individual countries’ postal systems generally don’t implement changes without guidance from the Union. Furthermore, the January 1, 2021, deadline, and current lack of clear directions for online sellers, makes us question whether France will be able to implement the change this quickly. GlobalPost will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates in the coming weeks.

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