🇮🇳 Shipping Rate Calculator India
Estimate courier charges for domestic shipments across India based on weight, dimensions, and zone.
How Courier Charges are Calculated in India
Calculating shipping rates for eCommerce or personal logistics in India involves more than just weighing the package on a scale. Courier companies like Delhivery, BlueDart, DTDC, and Shiprocket use specific formulas to determine the final cost. This calculator helps you estimate these costs by considering both weight and volume.
1. Actual Weight vs. Volumetric Weight
Couriers charge based on whichever is higher: the dead weight (actual weight) or the volumetric weight. This ensures that light but bulky packages (like pillows or bubble wrap) are charged fairly for the space they occupy in a truck or aircraft.
The Formula used in India:
Volumetric Weight (kg) = (Length × Width × Height in cm) / 5000
If your package is 2kg but the volumetric weight is 4kg, you will be charged for 4kg.
2. Understanding Shipping Zones
India is typically divided into zones for logistics pricing:
- Local (Intra-city): Pickup and delivery within the same city.
- Regional (Intra-state): Within the same state or neighboring pincodes (usually < 500km).
- Metro to Metro: Between major metropolitan cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad).
- Rest of India (National): Any other domestic location.
- Special Zones: North East India, Jammu & Kashmir, and sometimes Kerala often incur higher surcharges due to terrain and connectivity.
3. Mode of Transport: Surface vs. Air
Surface Mode: Transport via trucks and trains. It is cheaper but slower (3-7 days). Rates typically start around ₹40-₹60 per 500g.
Air Mode: Transport via cargo flights. It is faster (1-3 days) but expensive. Rates usually start at ₹80-₹120 per 500g.
4. Taxes and Surcharges
In India, the final shipping invoice includes:
- Base Freight: The cost per weight slab (usually per 500g).
- Fuel Surcharge: A variable percentage (often 10-20%) linked to fuel prices.
- GST: A flat 18% GST is applicable on all courier services in India.
Example Calculation
Sending a 1kg box (20x20x10cm) from Mumbai to Delhi (Metro to Metro) via Surface:
- Volumetric Weight: (20*20*10)/5000 = 0.8kg.
- Chargeable Weight: Higher of 1kg (Actual) or 0.8kg (Vol). So, 1kg.
- Base Rate: Assuming ₹50 per 500g. 1kg = 2 units. Base Cost = ₹100.
- GST (18%): ₹18.
- Total: ₹118.