What's The Cheapest Way to Ship Internationally

What’s The Cheapest Way to Ship Internationally in 2024

We’ve all been there. You find an amazing sale on a unique item you’re dying to have from overseas. You add it to your cart, only to find the shipping fees are almost as expensive as the item itself. Bummer. International shipping can undoubtedly be a burden, and as an eCommerce business owner, it’s certainly one of the biggest hurdles to overcome if you’re hoping to broaden your reach.

Fortunately, there are ways to ship internationally in a cost-effective manner – and that’s where we step in. The purpose of this article is to guide you through the complex web of international shipping and fulfillment, and show you ways to grow your business globally without breaking the bank. We’ll provide all the information you need, including a comprehensive comparative analysis of several international shipping providers. We’ll look at their unique pricing models, delivery times and hidden charges to watch out for. You’ll start to realize that cross-border shipping doesn’t need to be so financially draining, after all.

A Glimpse at Traditional Shipping Costs

Not all couriers are created equal; there are benefits and drawbacks of every major courier company. With that said, the following couriers offer a slew of services that cater to the diverse needs of business and individuals. Let’s take a closer look at some key players and the nuances of their international shipping options:

United States Postal Service (USPS)

Pros: USPS is known for its cost-effective offerings, making it an attractive option for those considering budget-friendly international shipping. USPS provides various shipping options, including First-Class Package International Service and Priority Mail International.

Cons: Despite its economical offerings, USPS has longer delivery times compared to express services. So, in this case, you’re trading off cost for time. Tracking may also be limited, which leads to a bit of uncertainty about a given package’s journey.

United Parcel Service (UPS)

Pros: UPS is reliable and has an extensive global network. It offers a wide range of shipping services, including UPS Worldwide Express for expedited shipments, as well as UPS Standard for more budget-friendly options.

Cons: UPS can be a bit more expensive than its courier counterparts, particularly for speedier delivery options. Small and medium-sized businesses may find the rates too high.

FedEx

Pros: FedEx is all about express shipping, and their international services reflect this reputation. FedEx International Priority, for example, promises swift delivery times, while FedEx International Economy offers a cheaper alternative.

Cons: Similarly with DHL and UPS, the speed and reliability of FedEx can come at a steep price. Cost-conscious businesses should weigh the benefits against the expense.

Local and regional couriers

Pros: Depending on the origin and destination of a given parcel, local or regional services may offer competitive rates and specialized knowledge of specific regions that are definitely worth considering.

Cons: The main downside of local and regional couriers is limited international coverage. This could potentially create a need for multiple couriers for comprehensive global shipping.

In any case, companies should take time to consider and weigh their options. The choice between the major couriers ultimately hinged on a few factors, including budgetary constraints, delivery timelines and the importance of reliable tracking. It’s important to strike the right balance between these factors in order to find the international shipping solution that aligns with the specific needs and aspirations of your eCommerce company.

International Shipping: Comparing What’s Out There

Before we begin our analysis, it’s important to remember that shipping rates vary based on several factors, including current market conditions, fuel prices and changes in courier companies’ pricing structures. So, the shipping rate today could be totally different from the shipping rate next week. That’s why it’s always important to check different courier rates in real-time when you’re planning on shipping a parcel.

We’ve done a comparative analysis of shipping rates for a 5-pound package that is 5x5x5 dimensions from the U.S. to different countries.

To ship a package of that size through UPS from Florida to Toronto, for example, the minimum it would cost is roughly $43.44 – and it would be delivered within one week. Alternatively, two-day shipping is available for $184.35, or three-day for $165.97.

Meanwhile, to ship the same package with FedEx, one-week shipping would cost $38.54, while next-day shipping would cost $187.55. Likewise, delivering the same package within 6 to 10 business days with USPS would cost about $60, with no faster options available.

Of course, these fees could change considerably day-to-day, and depending on the destination. Features like tracking, insurance and signature confirmation can add to the overall cost, too.

For the most accurate information, we recommend using online calculators provided by each courier service, or you can contact their customer service directly for a quote. Additionally, businesses with significant shipping volumes should explore negotiating rates directly with the courier companies to potentially secure more favorable terms for bulk shipments.

Before settling on a courier, though, we urge you to consider Stalco – which, we believe, is the cheapest way to ship internationally, bar none.

Stalco: A Revolution in International Shipping

When it comes to international shipping, Stalco simply can’t be beat. Stalco is wholeheartedly dedicated to helping our clients expand globally, while ensuring transit times stay short and costs stay low. We ship daily with DHL, using fully tracked services to 224 countries and territories around the world. We pride ourselves on negotiating bulk discounts with carriers that our clients would not be able to otherwise obtain. In short, we always outperform offers from traditional carriers like USPS, UPS and FedEx.

Before we dive into our unbeatable international shipping practices, let’s first discuss why eCommerce companies should always consider using a fulfillment center for their logistics needs.

There are numerous benefits associated with partnering with a fulfillment center rather than directly using a shipping courier. As an eCommerce business owner, the advantages of utilizing a strong fulfillment service provider like Stalco are multifold. Above all, though, optimizing your company’s logistics will undeniably lead to increased efficiency and growth – especially if you’re hoping to expand internationally.

While you’ll need to make an initial investment to hire a fulfillment service such as Stalco, partnering with a logistics company will ultimately save you valuable time and money in the long run. By outsourcing tasks like order processing, packaging and shipping, eCommerce owners can focus on core operations – including marketing and product development. Moreover, using a fulfillment service means you can forgo the costs associated with independently managing logistics – which requires a warehouse or storage space, packaging materials, plus personnel to manage the complex logistics systems and operations. The costs definitely do add up.

Not to mention, given that fulfillment centers typically have several clients, they receive better rates with carriers than individual companies. That brings us to why Stalco has superior international shipping rates. We are constantly negotiating with DHL to get the best rates possible for our clients, which means our international shipping is cheaper – and faster, too.

Don’t believe us? Visit our website today to get an international shipping quote for eCommerce companies. We feel confident you’ll find us to be the cheapest option for international shipping.

At Stalco, we come with a wealth of knowledge and logistics expertise. Staff are adept at managing inventory, optimizing shipping routes and handling unforeseen challenges – which can naturally be overwhelming for eCommerce entrepreneurs who aren’t necessarily familiar with the shipping space. Outsourcing fulfillment ensures that the supply chain runs smoothly, gaurenteeing reduced errors and increased customer satisfaction.

The Alternative: Flat Export Rate

If you’re not ready to partner with a fulfillment company just yet, there is a secondary solution that will allow you to ship internationally for less.

For businesses hoping to find a budget-friendly international shipping solution, USPS Priority Mail International – Flat Rate is a highly economical choice. This service offers a flat rate for packages, regardless of their weight or destination.

There are a number of benefits of using USPS Priority Mail International – Flat Rate, not the least of which is its unique pricing structure. With a flat rate for various box sizes, shippers can send packages weighing up to 20 pounds to more than 190 countries without incurring any additional shipping cost based on weight. This can lead to significant savings, particularly for heavier shipments.

Additionally, USPS provides flat-rate boxes in a number of different sizes, allowing shippers to select the boxes that are best-suited to the items they’re sending. Although this service will not deliver parcels as quickly as express services, packages will usually still be delivered within six to ten business days, making it especially suitable for shipments that aren’t super time-sensitive.

That being said, the delivery time frame for Priority Mail International can vary based on a number of external factors, such as customs clearance and specific destination. The tracking of parcels is also not particularly precise, and lacks real-time visibility.

The ideal use-case for USPS Priority Mail International – Flat Rate are businesses who ship medium-to-heavy items, as well as businesses making non-urgent shipments. The service is best for businesses looking for an affordable option where delivery speed is not a critical factor. By buying into the flat-rate pricing model, businesses are able to ship fairly heavy parcels to international destinations without the financial burden, making it a practical choice.

USPS Priority Mail International also has a flat rate option for smaller boxes. Similarly to its other flat rate shipping services, the Small Flat Rate Box is offered at a fixed price, regardless of the package’s weight or destination. That being said, given that it’s a small box, the maximum weight limit is around four pounds.

If you wanted to ship a small flat rate box through USPS from Florida to Hong Kong, for instance, it can cost as little as $30. The Small Flat Rate Box option is a convenient and cost-effective solution for sending smaller, lighter items internationally, as flat-rate pricing offers predictability.

Conclusion

As we’ve articulated in this article, there are several ways to circumvent exorbitant international shipping costs. To us, though, the choice is obvious: teaming up with a fulfillment company, like Stalco, is unquestionably the way to go.

Not only will we offer you the cheapest international shipping rates out there, but we also will assist with all of your logistics needs. No longer will you be burdened by inventory management, tracking and returns; we take care of all of that so you don’t have to. While traditional carriers, such as USPS, UPS and FedEx do have some enticing international shipping offers, they simply don’t compare to the perks of partnering with a fulfillment company. Trust us, you won’t regret it. If you’re curious about Stalco’s services, or interested in learning more about our international shipping offerings, please don’t hesitate to reach out today!