Why did two identical packages show different totals last week?

Likely fuel index movement or the destination crossing into a delivery-area or remote zone. Both change courier rates even when base pricing is stable.

Is dimensional weight always used?

Carriers charge the higher of actual vs. dimensional weight for air parcels. For very dense items, scale weight drives price; otherwise dimensional is one of the decisive shipping cost factors .

What’s the one setting I should change today?

Add a “carton size check” prompt in packing. Preventing oversize boxes lowers dimensional weight and the ancillary “additional handling” surcharge, improving courier rates immediately.

7 Factors That Affect International Shipping Cost

7 Factors That Affect International Shipping Cost

See the seven shipping cost factors—weight, volume, route, fuel, surcharges, insurance, seasonality—and how to control courier rates.