How is the packaging material cost calculated for overseas warehouse shipments? A comprehensive explanation of common questions regarding one-stop shipping in the US cloud warehouse

In the actual operation, a cost issue that is often overlooked but extremely crucial has been frequently brought up.

How is the packaging material cost calculated?

Is there a charge for each order?

These seemingly trivial items, when accumulated over time, can have a substantial impact on profits.

In the overseas warehouse operation system, sellers often focus more on storage fees, order processing fees, and last-mile delivery costs, while paying less attention to the packaging material cost.

In fact, different overseas warehouses have different requirements for packaging policies. Some overseas warehouses will provide simple packaging materials by default, while others charge based on demand. Some service providers charge for each packaging, especially in the one-stop shipping model, where packaging consumption is high and diverse, and the cost accumulates significantly.

Take a common product as an example. For a 3-pound item that needs to be repackaged using a standard 12*12*12-inch carton, the cost of the carton itself must be considered, along with the operation time.

If there are multiple items in the order that need to be combined for packaging or the original packaging does not meet the size requirements of the last-mile courier, additional unpacking, re-packaging services may be involved. If these costs are not understood in advance, they will ultimately be borne by the seller.

Let's first look at which one-stop shipping scenarios will incur packaging material fees?

Packaging size is too small

When the maximum dimension of the seller's product packaging is less than 10*15cm (i.e., the last-mile logistics cannot use a standard surface label), it must be repackaged. Such scenarios are common in small accessories, jewelry, and cosmetics categories. The warehouse will replace the courier bag or carton according to the actual situation and charge the corresponding packaging material fees.

Order needs to be re-combined for packaging

For a multi-item order that needs to be consolidated for shipping and ensure transportation safety, new packaging materials must be used for combined packaging. At this time, the cost will be charged based on the actual material specifications, including cartons, courier bags, bubble wrap, fillers, etc.

Special size or non-standard size packaging requirements

If the seller's product has a special volume or is fragile, or if they want to use a specified size or brand of packaging materials (such as a custom logo box), additional packaging costs will be incurred. Also, using paper boxes that exceed standard specifications is also within the charging scope.

After understanding the industry's common practices, taking the US overseas warehouse of Taigay Cloud Warehouse as an example, let's see its specific regulations for packaging material costs in the one-stop shipping service:

Standard courier bag: If using a size of 7-10-inch courier bag for packaging, it will be charged per item (approximately $0.9 per item).

Standard carton: If using a 12*12*12-inch carton, it will be charged based on individual carton materials.

Clear charging rules: Any re-packaging due to packaging size not meeting the requirements of the last-mile courier (maximum dimension less than 10*15cm), or packaging materials generated from consolidation packaging, damaged replacement, etc., will be charged based on actual consumption.

Support for customization and flexible selection: If the seller needs to use non-standard size or self-provided packaging materials, they can communicate and coordinate with the warehouse in advance to achieve flexible cost control.

This policy advantage lies in that Taigay Cloud Warehouse does not charge per order. It charges on demand, with clear pricing, avoiding the cost opacity of some service providers' unified packaging fees, allowing sellers to control costs while also ensuring packaging quality and shipping efficiency.

Although the packaging material cost is low in unit price, it is high in frequency and diverse in demand, and is an operational cost that cross-border sellers cannot ignore.