How shipping costs to China are calculated

1. Chargeable weight

Most providers charge the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight:

• Kilogram-based rules: volumetric weight = length × width × height in cm ÷ divisor (5,000 or 6,000 are common).
• Pound-based rules: length × width × height in inches ÷ divisor (139 is common in the US).

A 20 × 20 × 20 inch box weighing 30 lb has a volumetric weight of 8,000 ÷ 139 ≈ 57.6 lb, so it is charged as about 58 lb. Some providers only apply volumetric weight above a size threshold.

The chargeable weight is then rounded up to the provider's step — often the next 0.5 kg or the next whole pound — and raised to any minimum billable weight (2 lb is common).

2. Pricing models

Model	How it works	Example from a provider's own website
Per weight	a rate for every started unit	CAD 4.50 per lb, minimum 2 lb
First + additional	a price for the first weight, then a price per extra unit	CAD 21 for the first 3 lb, then CAD 7 per lb
Weight bands	one price per band	¥264 up to 1 kg, ¥456 up to 2 kg, ¥552 up to 3 kg
Per box	a fixed price per box size, up to a weight limit	USD 270 for a large box up to 65 lb

3. Minimums and surcharges

• Minimum charge: if the calculated freight is lower, you pay the minimum.
• Fuel surcharges are usually a percentage of the freight.
• Conditional fees such as remote-area delivery, oversize or destination customs-broker fees apply only in some cases. Our results list them separately as "may also apply".

4. What is not in the price

Unless a line is explicitly duty-inclusive, customs duties and taxes in China are not included, and insurance is usually extra. See our customs guide for how tax is calculated.

5. Currency

Providers price in CAD, USD or RMB. We convert estimates using the Bank of Canada daily exchange rate and always show the date of the rate used.