LoongBuy Shipping Guide: How to Estimate Shipping Weight Before Paying
A step-by-step guide to predicting costs using the weight calculator, understanding volumetric weight, and packing smartly.
Estimating your shipping cost accurately is crucial for a smooth international shopping experience with LoongBuy. Paying without knowing the final shipping fee can lead to unexpected expenses. This guide will walk you through how to use LoongBuy's built-in weight calculator
1. Using the LoongBuy Weight Calculator
LoongBuy's platform provides tools to help you estimate the shipping weight of items in your cart.
- Find the Calculator:
- Input Item Details:
- Item Type/Category:
- Dimensions:
- Quantity.
- Input Item Details:
2. Understanding the Critical Concept: Volumetric Weight
Carriers charge based on the space your package occupies, not just its actual scale weight. This is called volumetric or dimensional weight.
How Volumetric Weight is Calculated:
The standard formula is: (Length x Width x Height in cm) / Volumetric Divisor
The "divisor" varies by carrier and service (common ones are 5000, 6000, or 8000). LoongBuy typically uses a standard divisor for estimates. Your shipping cost will be based on the HIGHER of the actual weight or the volumetric weight. Example:
Actual Weight: 3 kg.
Volumetric Weight: (50x50x40)/5000 = 100,000/5000 = 20 kg.
You would be charged for 20 kg, not 3 kg!
3. Item Types and Their Impact on Weight & Volume
| Item Type | Weight/Volume Characteristics | Estimation Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics & Hard Goods | Dense, often lower volume for their actual weight. | Actual weight is often the charging weight. Use precise dimensions. |
| Clothing, Bedding, Shoes | Can be compressed but often shipped in bulky packaging. | Consider requesting compression packaging. Volumetric weight is key. |
| Toys & Home Decor | Irregular shapes can lead to high volumetric weight. | Ask if original packaging can be removed to reduce box size. |
4. Efficient Packing Methods to Reduce Costs
You can influence the final shipping weight (especially volumetric weight) through smart packing requests.
- Consolidation is Key:warehouse consolidation service. Instead of shipping multiple small boxes, they pack items from different sellers into one box, dramatically reducing total volume.
- Request Package Optimization:
- "Remove unnecessary retail boxes and packaging."
- "Compress clothing and soft items in vacuum bags if possible."
- "Use the smallest fitting box."
5. Final Checklist Before You Pay
- Use the calculator for each itempotential consolidated package.
- Always calculate the volumetric weight
- Contact LoongBuy customer service for a pre-purchase warehouse pre-inspection
- After items arrive at the LoongBuy warehouse, use the "Rehearsal Packaging" service. They will physically pack your items, measure the final package, and give you the exact shipping cost before you pay for international shipping.
- Contact LoongBuy customer service for a pre-purchase warehouse pre-inspection