International shipping: a step-by-step guide to finding the best price

Shipping packages abroad can take hours when you have to research prices one by one. In this guide, you will find the process of choosing the right carrier for international shipping, the factors that affect cost, and practical ways to avoid unnecessary payments.

Table of Contents

1. What is international shipping and how does it work?

2. Five main factors determining the price

3. Choosing a transport method: air, land, sea

4. How to compare offers?

- What information should you keep ready?

- What should you look for when reading offers?

5. Customs and documentation process

6. Special tips for e-exporters

7. Common mistakes and how to avoid them?

8. Frequently asked questions

What is international shipping and how does it work?

International shipping is the process of transporting goods from one country to another for commercial or personal purposes. From the moment the sender hands over the package until it reaches the hands of the receiver, logistics companies, customs authorities, and sometimes multiple carriers are involved.

The process roughly consists of the following stages:

• Determining shipping information (weight, dimensions, content)

• Selecting a carrier and service

• Preparation of documents (invoice, waybill, customs declaration)

• Package delivery and tracking

• Customs clearance and delivery in the destination country

A small mistake made in any of these steps leads to both delays and extra costs. Therefore, understanding the process from the beginning means avoiding surprises later.

Five main factors determining the price

The price of international shipping does not depend on a single variable. As of 2026, the five main elements shaping pricing are:

1. Weight and dimensions: Carriers base the weight on the larger of actual weight or dimensional weight. A 5 kg but large box can be more expensive than a 10 kg compressed package.

2. Destination country and region: Shipping costs between a city center and a remote rural area vary significantly.

3. Transit time: Air express options can be 2 to 4 times more expensive compared to economy options.

4. Content type: Dangerous goods, products containing batteries, or high-value items require extra fees and certification.

5. Insurance and additional services: Door-to-door delivery, signature delivery, or packaging services push the price up.

Without knowing these five factors, it is almost impossible to compare incoming offers. This is because two different companies can calculate prices with very different parameters for the same route.

Choosing a transport method: air, land, sea

The shipping method directly determines both the time and cost. Which method is suitable for you should be evaluated according to the value of the product, its weight, and delivery time.

Air freight usually provides delivery within 2 to 7 days. It is preferred for lightweight, high-value, or urgent products. The cost per unit is the highest option.

Land transport is both economical and reliable for shipping between neighboring or nearby countries. It can be particularly cost-effective for European routes.

Sea freight offers the lowest cost per cubic meter for high-volume and heavy products. Delivery times range from 15 to 45 days, making it a logical choice for non-urgent shipments.

Shipping to European destinations like Germany shipping by road can save up to 40 percent compared to air freight.

How to compare offers?

The most efficient way to compare prices is to query multiple carriers at the same time on a single platform. You can get instant quotes to more than 130 countries via Navlungo and see economy and express options side by side.

What information should you keep ready?

Keep the following information handy before getting a quote:

• Dimensions of the package (length, width, height, in centimeters)

• Gross weight (kilograms)

• Destination address (country, city, postal code)

• Product contents and customs tariff code (HS code)

• Do you require insurance?

When this information is missing, the platform provides an estimated price instead of a firm quote. To avoid price differences later, accurate measurement is essential.

What should you look for when reading offers?

Looking only at the total price can be misleading. Check the following in the quote:

• Are fuel surcharges and other extra fees included?

• Are customs charges reflected separately?

• Is the estimated delivery time guaranteed or estimated?

• Is shipment tracking offered?

A low price appearing in one quote may turn out to be more expensive than its competitors once additional charges are factored in.

Customs and documentation process

Customs is the stage that causes the most delays in international shipping. The completeness of the documents directly affects whether the package passes through customs without waiting.

Standard required documents:

• Commercial invoice

• Packing list

• Certificate of origin (may be mandatory depending on product and country)

• Customs declaration

If you are shipping to the United States, utilizing a tool to calculate US customs duties helps prevent additional surprises. Customs duty can range between 0% and 37.5% depending on the product category and value.

In marketplace sales such as Amazon shipping or Etsy shipping, the documentation process must also align with platform rules, otherwise there is a risk of account suspension.

Special tips for e-exporters

Sellers on marketplaces can automate the process instead of managing each order individually. Navlungo's store integration allows you to get shipping quotes directly from the panel as soon as an order is placed. This eliminates manual data entry and reduces the error rate.

As sales volume rises, volume discounts also come into play. A seller shipping between 50 and 200 shipments per month can get 15% to 25% lower prices per unit compared to individual shipment prices.

Special integration options such as Etsy international shipping or eBay international shipping can be directly used by those selling on the respective platforms.

Another point to note: return logistics should be planned in advance for products with high return rates. Shipping without a return address in the destination country creates significant costs in the long run.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them?

Errors encountered in the international shipping process are mostly predictable. Knowing these prevents both loss of money and time.

Incorrect weight declaration: The package is weighed at delivery. The difference between the declared and actual weight turns into an extra fee. Make sure to weigh it before shipping.

Using incorrect HS code: When the customs tariff is incorrectly coded, both taxes and delays occur. If you are not sure which code to use, ask the carrier's support hotline.

Not getting insurance: Sending high-value products without insurance prevents you from receiving compensation in case of damage or loss. Insurance costs are usually between 0.3% and 0.8% of the product value.

Working with a single carrier: The price difference between different carriers for the same route can exceed 30%. Deciding without comparing means constantly overpaying.

Preparing incomplete documents: If the product description on the invoice does not match the customs codes, the package is held at customs. The description should be brief but accurate.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find the cheapest carrier for international shipping?

To find the cheapest carrier, you need to compare multiple companies at the same time. Platforms like Navlungo gather quotes from DHL, FedEx, and other carriers in a single search and show prices side by side.

How is a balance achieved between shipping speed and price?

Express service is usually 2 to 4 times the price of the economy option. If customer expectation does not exceed 7 days, economy air freight offers a middle ground in terms of both time and cost.

Who pays the customs duty, the sender or the receiver?

This depends on the delivery terms (incoterms). Under DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) terms, the sender pays; under DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid) terms, the receiver pays. In marketplace sales, DDP is preferred so that the buyer does not face customs duties.

How is shipping weight calculated?

Carriers use the larger of the actual weight and the dimensional weight. Dimensional weight calculation: (length x width x height) / 5000, in centimeters and kilograms. For large but lightweight boxes, this value easily exceeds the actual weight.

Which countries can international shipping be sent to?

Shipments can be made to more than 130 countries via Navlungo. US shipping, UK shipping, China shipping, and UAE shipping are among the most frequently preferred routes.

Is shipping insurance mandatory?

It is not mandatory, but skipping it for high-value products is risky. In case of damage or loss, the carrier's liability for compensation for uninsured shipments is very limited, usually paying a fixed and low amount per kilogram.

International shipping is a manageable process with the right tools and information. When you understand the factors affecting the price and compare carriers, significant savings are possible for the same route. Get a quote instantly via Navlungo and see the cost of your next shipment in minutes.