Forward planning is key to a smooth international shipping experience. With MyCNBox's structured approach, you can track every potential expense before final payment. This guide walks you through using a simple spreadsheet to calculate your total budget accurately.
The Three Pillars of Your Total Cost
Your final amount with MyCNBox is typically the sum of three core components:
- Item Cost:
- Domestic Shipping:
- Service Fees:
- Domestic Shipping:
Building Your Estimation Spreadsheet
A basic spreadsheet (like Google Sheets or Excel) is a powerful tool for this task. Create columns for each data point:
| Item Name / Store | Item Cost (¥) | Domestic Shipping (¥) | Subtotal (¥) | Estimated Weight (kg) | Notes / Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example: Wireless Earbuds - Store A | 250.00 | 0.00 (Free) | 250.00 | 0.2 | Red color, with case |
| Example: Winter Jacket - Store B | 420.00 | 15.00 | 435.00 | 1.5 | Size L, Black |
| Grand Total (RMB): | 685.00 | 1.7 kg | |||
Step 1: Track Purchases & Domestic Shipping
As you shop, immediately log each item's cost and any listed domestic shipping fee. The SubtotalGrand Total
The Estimated Weightactual weight or volumetric weight
Remember to account for possible consolidation fees
Add a dedicated calculation section in your spreadsheet: A) Total Item + Domestic Cost:
B) Estimated International Shipping:
C) Estimated Service Fees:
Projected Total Cost (A + B + C):e.g., ¥935.00 Convert this final RMB amount to your local currency using a recent exchange rate for a clear budget view.Step 2: Estimate Weight and Service Fees
Estimated Shipping Fee = Total Estimated Weight (kg) × Shipping Rate per kgStep 3: Calculate Your Final Projected Cost
Pro Tips for Accurate Estimation
- Always Overestimate Weight Slightly:
- Use the "Notes" Column:
- Update Dynamically:
- Compare with Final Quote:
- Use the "Notes" Column: