Estimate shipping by weight & zone. The Shipping Cost Calculator takes parcel weight (kg), rate for the first kg, rate for each additional kg, zone multiplier (1 = local), fuel or handling surcharge and returns estimated shipping cost plus base charge before surcharge, cost per kg. Results update as you type, and the formula is shown under the result so you can repeat it in your own spreadsheet.
Online and retail margins are decided by the costs that are easy to forget: fees, shipping, returns, storage and advertising. Fill in every line, even with an estimate, before deciding what to sell and at what price. Use the worked example below to check the maths against your own figures.
How the Shipping Cost Calculator works
Carriers price by weight bands and distance zones with a fuel surcharge on top. Weight is rounded up to the next kilogram, as carriers do.
Worked example
With the example values (parcel weight (kg) of 2, rate for the first kg of $8, rate for each additional kg of $3, zone multiplier (1 = local) of 1, fuel or handling surcharge of 10%), the estimated shipping cost is $12.10; base charge before surcharge $11.00, cost per kg $6.05. Change any figure above and the result updates immediately; use Copy results to paste the summary into a note or email.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is estimated shipping cost calculated?
cost = (first-kg rate + additional kgs × additional rate) × zone multiplier × (1 + surcharge).
Which figures do I need?
Parcel weight (kg), rate for the first kg, rate for each additional kg, zone multiplier (1 = local), fuel or handling surcharge. Take them from the same period and the same set of accounts or reports so the ratio is consistent, and check the example values as a guide to the units expected.
Which fees should I include?
Every fee your platform or provider charges on a sale: commissions, payment processing, fulfilment, storage, advertising and the expected cost of returns. Fee schedules change, so check the current rate card.
