When we are planning to come up with some new products, we need to take the shipping cost into accunt. But how to estimate the cost to get all the products to your door? As per my experience, below are some guidelines:

1, Carton size: If no samples or prototypes at the beginning, you can estimate the packaging arrangement as per the 3d drawings. Say the general dimensions of the parts is about: 11.2cmx4.3cmx6CM, (if they can not be stacked)how many rows, say 5 and how many pcs per row, say 6, then 30pcs per layer, and how many layers is good as per the height, say 6 layers, then 30x6=180pcs per carton. Then calculate the general dimensions of the carton: 11.2x5=56CM, but as there must be gap between, say totally about 2CM, and to add the thickness of 1CM of the carton each side, 2CM for the carton thickness. To add up: 56cm part size+2cm gap+2cm carton thickness, then 56+2+2=60CM, this is the length of the carton. In the same way, 4.3x6+2+2=29.8CM about 30CM, this is the width of the carton. For the height: 6CMx6 layers=36cm for the parts, but the gap between is usually bigger than length and width side, say about 4CM, 2CM for the carton thickness, then to add up: 6x6+4+2=42CM. Then the estimated carton size is: 60x30x42CM.

2, Gross weight per carton It is easier. You can ask the manufacturer to get the estimated unit net weight of the parts. They can weigh the weight by software with basic calculation. Volume x density of the plastic type=weight. Say the unit weight is about 80grams. Then 180pcs per carton, so 0.08x180=14.4KGS for the parts. As per our experience, unit weight of the carton itself is about 1KGS for a 5-layer corrugated carton with medium size like 60x30x42CM. So the gross weight per carton is: 15.4KGS/Carton.

3, Light goods or heavy goods? Light goods: the actual weight is smaller than the carton size(in unit: meter) x167(actully 166.6) Heavy goods: the actual weight is bigger than the carton size(in unit: meter) x167(actully 166.6) The Criteria is: If they are light goods, the shipping company charge as per the volume(the carton size(in unit: meter) x167(actully 166.6); if they are heavy goods, the shipping company charge as per the actual weight. Because in this way, no matter what kinds of goods, the shipping company can charge the most. Say, cotton is so light, but it takes too much space. If just to ship the cotton, but charge as per the actual weight, where is the profits for the shipping company?

If the carton size is 60x30x42M, the actual final weight is 15.4KGS just like our estimation: 0.6x0.3x0.42x167=about 12.6KGS, then the shipping company will charge as per 15.4KGS But if the carton size is 60x30x42M, the actual final weight is 11.5KGS (that means the estimated weight is not precised): 0.6x0.3x0.42x167=about 12.6KGS, then the shipping company will charge as per 12.6KGS

4, To door or To sea port? Usually, if to ship by air or by sea, the forwarder would ask you how you want the goods be delivered? To door? or just to the sea port, and then you can arrange the pick-up by yourself at the sea port. So it is important to tell the forwarder where you want to ship, the detailed address if To door, the destination sea port if just to sea port.

Above is just to estimate the shipping cost/(ocean freight if by sea), but for import, there are also some other charges, like documents fee(D/O), AMS, ISF(if ship to USA), Customs clearance,etc.

Author: Vicky Liu --- Sales Manager of Respon Moulding Co., Ltd.