When you want to ship something from one place to another, there are a few things that will come to your mind. One is the cost. How much would it cost you in terms of money to send the parcel or a full-size container you have? Another is the time, like when it would arrive at the destination. In shipping, it is referred to as transit time. Many shipping companies in Dubai do provide you with both the costs and transit times.
However, these elements are very important and something you should know off. We wrote this article to help you understand the costing and the transit time. How can you calculate it by yourself for your next shipments?
Why Estimating Shipping Costs Matters
One of the key elements to know in the shipping industry is the cost fluctuations. If you are booking a shipment around $100 today, after a week, it can be $150 or maybe, if you are in luck, it can also be less than $100 (but that rarely happens).
When this much fluctuation is happening, you wouldn’t want to compromise on the costs. You want to know what exactly you are paying. And that’s only possible if you have a good understanding and knowledge of cost estimation.
When you can calculate the shipping costs by yourself, then you can easily plan your budget. It also becomes much easier for you to choose the right delivery method. Ultimately, costs in the shipping industry are always essential and play a significant role.
That was the cost part. Another thing highly associated and talked about in the shipping industry is the transit time. How long would it take for your cargo, parcel, or container to reach its required destination?
For sea, transit times are higher due to the long routes and the large volume of bulk shipments. For air, the transit time reduces to weeks, as air flights have more speed to reach a destination faster compared to sea shipping.
Therefore, transit time is another crucial variable to consider when sending shipments from one country to another.
How to Calculate Shipping Costs and Transit Time?
Before we get into the details, what is shipping mean in this article? It refers to shipping as the process of transporting goods or packages from one location to another, whether locally or internationally. Now. Let’s answer the question you are here for. How can you accurately calculate shipping times and costs? Listed below are some of the ways you can use:
1. Use Online Shipping Calculators (Easiest Way)
The easiest way is to use the online shipping calculators. There are many courier companies, such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, and Aramex, that offer free calculators on their websites. You can search for “DHL Shipping Calculator” or “UPS Estimate Tool.” Both these tools and the companies are highly credible and best suited for use when you want to calculate shipping costs and delivery times.
As you open these websites, all you need to do is:
- Enter the package weight and size
- Add the pickup and delivery locations
- Choose the delivery speed
Once you add the above details, the calculator will instantly show you the estimated cost and delivery time. This is the best way to find the costs and transit times for your shipments, as you simply need to enter your required details into the calculator, and it does all the work for you.
2. Try Mobile Apps for Shipping Estimates
You can also use apps like AfterShip or ShipStation on your phone to instantly calculate shipping costs and delivery times. Both of these are also available on Android and iOS.
All you need to do is first download any of the apps. Then, add your requirements, such as package weight and size, pickup and delivery locations, and method of shipment. It would provide you with estimates after you fill in your requirements.
For small businesses or individuals, these apps are a good way to know how much they can expect to pay and what transit times are showing.
3. Estimate with Basic Math (If You Don’t Want to Use Tools)
Now, if you are not someone who believes much in online tools (though today’s tools are highly accurate), you can use some basic maths to calculate the costs. What you can do is:
- Check the courier’s rate chart (price per kg or per zone)
- Multiply the cost by the weight of your item
- Add any extra services (like insurance or express delivery)
- Don’t forget customs or taxes if it’s international
For example, if a courier charges $5 per kilogram for Zone B, and your package weighs 3 kilograms, the total cost is $15: $5 x 3 = $15. Then maybe add $2 for insurance → Total: $17 (estimated). The figure you will get via this method won’t be highly accurate, but it will give you an estimated amount which would be close to the real one.
One drawback is you can’t calculate the delivery times via this method. Only online tools are equipped with the latest algorithms, which not only provide the costs but also give the delivery times, i.e., transit time.
4. Asking a Local Courier or Freight Agent
Sometimes, the best information doesn’t come from a screen. It comes from a person. These individuals are local courier services and freight agents. You can visit the nearest courier office or freight agent and inform them of your requirements.
For example, if you have electronics items to ship from Dubai to the USA, you have the quantity. Freight agents will request the quantity and other relevant details. If they believe your quantity can be shipped via a standard 20-foot container, they will provide you with the most accurate quote for it. If it can fill a 40-foot container, the rates will vary, and these agents will provide you with the estimated quotes.
Final Words
At the end of the day, calculating shipping costs and delivery times isn’t very difficult. You just read the blog. You have four ways. You can use websites like DHL and UPS. They provide you with the calculators. Simply enter your details to receive the best estimates. You can also use apps, which function like websites but are designed for smartphones.
Then you have a simple mathematical method, where you might not get very accurate results, but it is still worth considering if you don’t want to rely solely on tools. Lastly, courier services or freight agents offer you the best local rates. So, whatever is good for you, you can use it.
