Estimate shipping costs and see potential savings with commercial pricing.
Zone 1 (Local)
Zone 2 (0-150 miles)
Zone 3 (151-300 miles)
Zone 4 (301-600 miles)
Zone 5 (601-1000 miles)
Zone 6 (1001-1400 miles)
Zone 7 (1401-1800 miles)
Zone 8 (1801+ miles)
Zone 9 (Territories)
Understanding ShipStation Rates and Shipping Costs
Efficient shipping is the backbone of any e-commerce business. Understanding how carriers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx calculate their rates—and how platforms like ShipStation can secure discounts—is vital for protecting your margins. This calculator helps you estimate shipping costs by factoring in weight, dimensions, zones, and service levels.
1. Actual Weight vs. Dimensional (DIM) Weight
One of the most confusing aspects of shipping is the concept of "Billable Weight." Carriers do not simply charge based on how heavy a package is; they also care about how much space it takes up in the truck or plane.
Actual Weight: The physical weight of the package as measured on a scale.
Dimensional (DIM) Weight: Calculated by multiplying Length × Width × Height and dividing by a specific divisor (commonly 166 for domestic ground or 139 for express).
Carriers will always charge you for the greater of the two numbers. For example, a large box of pillows might weigh only 5 lbs, but its DIM weight could be 20 lbs. You will be charged the 20 lb rate.
2. The Role of Shipping Zones
In the United States, shipping costs are largely determined by "Zones." Zones are measured by the distance from the origin zip code to the destination zip code.
Zone 1: Local deliveries (usually within same facility radius).
Zone 8: Cross-country shipments (e.g., New York to California).
Zone 9: U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States.
The further the zone, the higher the base rate for the shipment. ShipStation's rate optimization tools help you visualize these costs instantly.
3. Commercial vs. Retail Pricing
When you walk into a post office or retail shipping store, you pay "Retail Rates." These are the most expensive prices available. High-volume shippers and platforms like ShipStation negotiate "Commercial Plus" or commercial pricing tiers.
Using a shipping software like ShipStation can unlock discounts of up to 89% off USPS retail prices and substantial savings on UPS and DHL Express, without requiring you to negotiate your own contracts with carriers.
4. Service Levels
Choosing the right service level is a balance between speed and cost:
Economy/Ground: Most cost-effective, typically 2-5 days. Best for non-urgent e-commerce orders.
Priority/Expedited: Faster transport (air or dedicated truck), typically 1-3 days. Includes insurance and better tracking.
Express/Overnight: Guaranteed next-day delivery. This is the most expensive option, often used for perishable goods or urgent documents.
function calculateShippingRates() {
// 1. Get Input Values
var lbs = parseFloat(document.getElementById('weightLbs').value) || 0;
var oz = parseFloat(document.getElementById('weightOz').value) || 0;
var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('dimL').value) || 0;
var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById('dimW').value) || 0;
var height = parseFloat(document.getElementById('dimH').value) || 0;
var zone = parseInt(document.getElementById('shipZone').value);
var service = document.getElementById('serviceType').value;
// 2. Validate Inputs
if ((lbs === 0 && oz === 0) || length === 0 || width === 0 || height === 0) {
alert("Please enter valid weight and dimensions.");
return;
}
// 3. Calculate Total Actual Weight
var totalActualWeight = lbs + (oz / 16);
// 4. Calculate Dimensional Weight (Standard Domestic Divisor 166)
var dimWeight = (length * width * height) / 166;
// 5. Determine Billable Weight (Round up to nearest pound as carriers do)
var billableWeightRaw = Math.max(totalActualWeight, dimWeight);
var billableWeight = Math.ceil(billableWeightRaw);
// 6. Define Rate Simulation (This is an approximation for estimation purposes)
// Base Rates derived from generic carrier logic: Base + (Zone Multiplier) + (Weight Multiplier)
var retailCost = 0;
var shipStationDiscountPercent = 0;
if (service === 'economy') {
// Ground Logic
var baseRate = 8.50;
var zoneRate = 1.15 * zone;
var weightRate = 1.25 * billableWeight;
retailCost = baseRate + zoneRate + weightRate;
// Economy usually has lower discounts, e.g., 30%
shipStationDiscountPercent = 0.30;
}
else if (service === 'priority') {
// Priority Logic
var baseRate = 12.00;
var zoneRate = 2.50 * zone;
var weightRate = 1.80 * billableWeight;
retailCost = baseRate + zoneRate + weightRate;
// High discounts for Priority often, e.g., 40-50%
shipStationDiscountPercent = 0.45;
}
else if (service === 'express') {
// Express Logic
var baseRate = 35.00;
var zoneRate = 5.00 * zone;
var weightRate = 4.50 * billableWeight;
retailCost = baseRate + zoneRate + weightRate;
// Discounts vary, assume 35%
shipStationDiscountPercent = 0.35;
}
// 7. Calculate Discounted Rate
var discountAmount = retailCost * shipStationDiscountPercent;
var shipStationCost = retailCost – discountAmount;
// 8. Update DOM Elements
document.getElementById('retailRateDisplay').innerHTML = '$' + retailCost.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('shipstationRateDisplay').innerHTML = '$' + shipStationCost.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('savingsDisplay').innerHTML = '$' + discountAmount.toFixed(2) + ' (' + (shipStationDiscountPercent * 100).toFixed(0) + '%)';
document.getElementById('billableWeightDisplay').innerHTML = billableWeight + ' lbs';
// Add explanation about DIM weight
var dimText = "";
if (dimWeight > totalActualWeight) {
dimText = "Note: Your package is light but bulky. You are being charged for " + Math.ceil(dimWeight) + " lbs (Dimensional Weight) instead of " + totalActualWeight.toFixed(2) + " lbs (Actual Weight).";
} else {
dimText = "You are being charged based on Actual Weight.";
}
document.getElementById('dimExplanation').innerText = dimText;
// Show results
document.getElementById('results').style.display = 'block';
}