Shipping file · reviewed 2026-11-05
You are not charged for the item. You are charged for the parcel.
Every shipping surprise traces back to one of three numbers: chargeable weight, the line's handling fee, and the currency the quote was shown in.
Typical 3 kg parcel
- Scale weight3,000 g
- Volumetric (40×30×20 ÷ 6000)4,000 g
- Chargeable4,000 g
- Economy line, US≈ $58
The 1 kg gap is the most common reason a quote looks wrong.
Line types
Four lines, four trade-offs
Names vary by destination; the categories do not. Pick the trade-off you can live with, then read the fee table.
Economy air
Best cost per kg, longest transit
Priority air
Faster, capped dimensions
EU tax-free triangle
DDP routing via a third country
Economy sea / rail
Cheapest bulk, slowest and least flexible
Rates are editorial ranges for 2026–2027, not a quote. The live quote at the warehouse is the only number that binds.
The fee table
Three fees that are not freight
| Fee | When it applies | Typical range | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handling | Every parcel | $2–6 | Consolidate; do not ship single items |
| Reinforcement | Box, corner guards, vacuum bag | $3–12 | Ask for vacuum only on soft goods |
| Remote area | Some rural postcodes | $8–25 | Ship to a city address or locker |
| Return freight | Rejected QC item | $3–10 domestic | Check QC before consolidation |
Transit windows
What “shipped” actually means
- Submitted: the warehouse has your parcel request. Nothing has moved.
- Packed: the box exists and the weight is final. Freight is now chargeable.
- Handed to line: the parcel left the warehouse. Tracking can be silent for 3–5 days.
- Customs: the longest unexplained gap. A held parcel is not a lost parcel.
- Delivered: the carrier's scan ends the clock.
If tracking has not moved in seven days, ask the platform for a line trace before opening a dispute. Most "lost" parcels are waiting on a customs document.
Estimate before you commit
Price the parcel, not the row
The calculator uses chargeable weight and a line rate. It is deliberately conservative.
Quick estimate
Use the full calculator for dimensions, steps and handling.
Rules of thumb
- Add 12% to item weight for packaging.
- Volumetric bites above 40 × 30 × 20 cm.
- Below 2 kg, handling is a larger share than freight.
FAQ
litbuy shipping questions
How long does LitBuy take to ship?
Warehouse processing usually takes 1–3 days after all items arrive. International transit is typically 7–15 days on economy lines and 5–10 on priority, depending on destination and customs.
How much is shipping on LitBuy?
Most parcels land between $35 and $90 for 2–5 kg to the US or EU on economy lines. The exact number depends on chargeable weight, destination and the line you pick.
What is chargeable weight?
The greater of the scale weight and the volumetric weight (length × width × height ÷ 6000). Couriers charge the larger number, which is why a light puffer can cost more than a heavy hoodie.