Shipping Prices
Global-e provides each merchant with a rate card that quotes the best shipping rate available based on your location, parcel weight and other relevant factors.
Additional considerations that affect the shipping prices:
Fuel: charged as a percentage on all surcharges (remote, dangerous goods, etc..) except on the DDP fee.
Service level: speed, reliability, vehicles used, etc.
Accessorial and exceptions: remote locations, heavy/bulky items, COVID charge, dangerous goods.
DDP
Sample rate card
Weighing Methods
Shipments are weighted according to their deadweight or volumetric weight.
Deadweight (gravitational weight)
Volumetric (dimensional weight) : a formula based on parcel dimensions.
Volumetric formula: Length*Width*Height/dimensional divisor = vol. weight.
Dimensional divisor – constant pre-agreed on. The standard for a metric is 5,000, and for imperial it is 166/139.
Example: 25 cm * 15 cm * 40 cm / 5,000 = 3 kg
Note
Carriers using volumetric weight will charge based on higher of deadweight and volumetric.
Service Levels
Your rate card includes costs associated with the chosen service level.
The four service levels
Express Courier
Usually travels by air
Normally a carrier owned fleet end-to-end
Fastest delivery time
Standard Courier (AKA Economy/Road)
Usually travels by road where geographically possible (EU-UK, US-CA) or commercial flights.
Sometimes carrier end- to-end. Usually has local partner for final mile.
Sometimes delivers to the door and sometimes to a pickup point.
Tracked Post
Travels by commercial flights/road.
Usually has a local partner for the final mile.
Sometimes delivers to the door and sometimes to a pickup point, rarely ever DDP.
PUDO (Pick Up Drop Off)/Collection Points
Same as Standard/Post but the collection point is pre-selected by the customer.
In some cases drop off points are available for returns.
Billing Process
The shipping billing process is determined based on the parcel's weight.
Initially, the estimated weight is used, as displayed in the Global-e admin. This estimated weight is calculated using the weight provided by the client through the product catalog or, if unavailable, a default weight.
Once the parcel is received by the carrier, it is scanned to determine the actual weight, which is then updated in the system. This updated weight is typically used for reconciliation. In some cases, the carrier may adjust the weight after further scans, and the system will be updated accordingly until the final reconciliation report is issued.
Note
In some cases, the carrier may adjust the weight after further scans, and the system will be updated accordingly until the final reconciliation report is issued.