Standard Ground (1.0x)
Express Air (1.5x)
Priority Overnight (2.2x)
Actual Weight:0 kg
Volumetric Weight:0 kg
Chargeable Weight:0 kg
Distance Factor:0 km
Fuel Surcharge:0
Estimated Total Cost: $0.00
How Real-Time Shipping Rates Work for WooCommerce
In the world of e-commerce, offering accurate shipping costs is vital for reducing cart abandonment. Real-time shipping rate calculation (RTRC) involves fetching live data from carriers like FedEx, UPS, or DHL based on the specific attributes of an order.
The Dimensional Weight Factor
Carriers don't just charge based on how much a box weighs; they also care about how much space it takes up in the delivery truck. This is known as Dimensional (Volumetric) Weight. The formula used by most international carriers is:
(Length × Width × Height) / 5000 = Volumetric Weight in kg
If the volumetric weight is higher than the actual weight, you are charged for the volumetric weight.
Key Variables in Calculation
Origin and Destination: The distance between your warehouse and the customer directly impacts the fuel and labor costs.
Service Level: Express services prioritize speed, requiring air transport which is significantly more expensive than ground transport.
Fuel Surcharges: These fluctuate weekly based on global oil prices and are usually applied as a percentage of the base shipping rate.
Real-World Example
Imagine you are shipping a lightweight but bulky pillow:
Actual Weight: 1 kg
Dimensions: 50cm x 50cm x 20cm
Calculation: (50*50*20) / 5000 = 10 kg
Result: Even though the pillow weighs 1 kg, you will be billed for 10 kg because of its size.
function calculateShippingRates() {
var weight = parseFloat(document.getElementById('weight').value);
var distance = parseFloat(document.getElementById('distance').value);
var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('length').value);
var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById('width').value);
var height = parseFloat(document.getElementById('height').value);
var multiplier = parseFloat(document.getElementById('shipping_type').value);
var baseRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('base_rate').value);
var fuelPercent = parseFloat(document.getElementById('fuel_fee').value);
if (isNaN(weight) || isNaN(distance) || isNaN(length) || isNaN(width) || isNaN(height)) {
alert("Please fill in all dimensions and weight fields.");
return;
}
// Calculate Volumetric Weight (Standard Carrier Divisor of 5000)
var volWeight = (length * width * height) / 5000;
// Determine Chargeable Weight (Greater of actual vs volumetric)
var chargeableWeight = Math.max(weight, volWeight);
// Calculate Base Cost
// Logic: (Weight * Distance * Rate) * Service Multiplier
var subTotal = (chargeableWeight * distance * baseRate) * multiplier;
// Apply Fuel Surcharge
var fuelCost = subTotal * (fuelPercent / 100);
var finalTotal = subTotal + fuelCost;
// Display Results
document.getElementById('res-weight').innerText = weight.toFixed(2) + " kg";
document.getElementById('res-vol-weight').innerText = volWeight.toFixed(2) + " kg";
document.getElementById('res-charge-weight').innerText = chargeableWeight.toFixed(2) + " kg";
document.getElementById('res-dist').innerText = distance + " km";
document.getElementById('res-fuel').innerText = "$" + fuelCost.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('res-total').innerText = "$" + finalTotal.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('shipping-result').style.display = 'block';
}