The Problem
Standard shipping calculations assume simple scenarios. Your logistics are more complex:
- Weight-based pricing: Heavy or oversized products that don’t fit flat-rate models
- Freight shipping: Large items requiring LTL or freight carrier quotes
- Zone complexity: Shipping costs that vary significantly by destination
- Product-specific rules: Some products have different shipping requirements
- Combined shipments: Multiple items that need intelligent packaging
Inaccurate shipping calculations lose margin or frustrate customers with unexpected costs.
How I Solve It
I build custom shipping calculation systems that reflect your actual logistics:
Weight and Dimension Calculations
- Actual weight calculations for cart contents
- Dimensional weight handling for large, light items
- Product-specific shipping surcharges
- Weight break pricing with clear thresholds
Freight and LTL Integration
- Real-time freight quotes from carrier APIs (FedEx, UPS)
- Pallet optimization for efficient shipping
- Freight class handling for regulated shipments
- Residential vs. commercial delivery pricing
Zone and Geographic Rules
- Custom zone definitions based on your logistics
- Regional carrier preferences
- Rural and remote surcharges
- International shipping with duties handling
Packaging Optimization
- Intelligent box selection based on cart contents
- Multiple package handling for split shipments
- Hazmat and special handling rules
- Shipping method selection based on product mix
Need This Solution?
If you're facing similar challenges or want to discuss how I can help implement this for your project, I'd be happy to talk.
Common Shipping Scenarios
Industrial Equipment
- Heavy equipment requiring freight shipping
- Real-time FedEx API quotes with pallet optimization
- Accurate freight pricing preventing margin loss
- Residential delivery surcharge handling
Outdoor and Lifestyle Products
- Weight-based calculations for varied product weights
- Oversized item handling for bulky products
- Free shipping thresholds with product exclusions
- Multi-carrier rate shopping for best price
Furniture and Home Goods
- LTL freight for large items
- White glove delivery options
- Room-of-choice vs. threshold delivery pricing
- Appointment scheduling integration
The Outcome
Shipping prices reflect actual logistics costs. Customers see accurate shipping at checkout without surprises. Margin is protected through precise calculation. Cart abandonment from shipping shock decreases. Operations teams spend less time on shipping exceptions and manual quotes.
