International Shipping Calculator
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Pro Tip
For shipments to Europe, Canada Post's Small Packet Air service is often the cheapest. For urgent shipments, DHL Express offers the most reliable service.
Choosing the cheapest international shipping carrier isn’t about picking the lowest sticker price. It’s about finding the best balance of cost, speed, reliability, and hidden fees. Many people assume DHL or FedEx is always expensive, or that postal services are always the cheapest. But that’s not true anymore. In 2025, the real savings come from knowing where to look-and what to avoid.
Postal services still win for small, lightweight packages
If you’re shipping a 2-pound package from Toronto to Berlin, Canada Post’s International Parcel service often beats private couriers by 30-50%. The reason? Governments subsidize postal networks. Canada Post delivers to over 190 countries with flat-rate envelopes and small packet options. A 500g parcel to the UK costs around $18 CAD. Compare that to UPS Ground International, which charges $42 for the same weight. DHL Express? $58. That’s not a typo.
But here’s the catch: postal services don’t guarantee delivery times. A package to Brazil might take 10 days-or 30. Tracking updates are spotty. If you’re sending a birthday gift, it’s fine. If you’re shipping replacement parts for a client’s machine, it’s not.
Private couriers aren’t always expensive-just misused
UPS, FedEx, and DHL aren’t bad deals. They’re just overpriced if you book retail. Most businesses get 40-60% discounts through volume contracts. But you don’t need to be a company to get those rates. Platforms like Shippo, Pirate Ship, and Easyship connect individuals to wholesale carrier pricing. A 2kg package to Mexico City that costs $65 retail on FedEx drops to $32 through Shippo. Same service. Same delivery window. Half the price.
The trick? Always compare retail vs. negotiated rates. Don’t just go to the FedEx website and click “Ship Now.” Use a shipping aggregator first. They pull live rates from multiple carriers and show you the cheapest option, even if it’s not the one you expected.
Regional carriers are the hidden secret
Most people don’t know about regional players. For shipping to Latin America, Estafeta (Mexico) or Correos (Spain) often undercut global giants. For Southeast Asia, SingPost and Ninja Van offer competitive rates with better local delivery than DHL. A 1kg package from Toronto to Manila? Canada Post: $31. DHL: $74. Ninja Van via Shippo: $24.
Even within Europe, national postal services like Deutsche Post (Germany) or La Poste (France) offer cheaper last-mile delivery than international couriers. If you’re shipping to multiple EU countries, consider using a local fulfillment center in the EU. You pay once to send bulk to Germany, then local carriers handle the rest-saving you 20-40% on each delivery.
Hidden fees kill your savings
The cheapest carrier on paper can end up costing you more. Watch out for:
- Customs duties and taxes-some carriers collect them upfront (like DHL), others leave it to the recipient (like Canada Post). If the recipient refuses to pay, your package gets returned-and you lose both the item and the shipping cost.
- Fuel surcharges-FedEx and UPS add these automatically. Shippo and other aggregators show them upfront.
- Address correction fees-if the recipient’s address is missing a unit number or has a typo, couriers charge $15-$30 to fix it. Postal services usually don’t.
- Remote area fees-shipping to rural Alaska, the Scottish Highlands, or parts of Indonesia can double your cost. Always check the carrier’s remote area list before booking.
One real example: A Toronto-based seller shipped 150 small jewelry boxes to Australia. They used Canada Post’s Small Packet Air at $12 each. Total: $1,800. They assumed it was cheap. But 37 packages were held at customs because the commercial invoice didn’t list the correct HS code. Each one cost $45 in clearance fees. Total extra: $1,665. Lesson? Accuracy beats low price every time.
How to find the real cheapest option
Here’s a simple 3-step process that works every time:
- Measure and weigh-use a digital scale and measure in centimeters. Even a 1cm difference can change the rate if it crosses a dimensional weight threshold.
- Use a shipping aggregator-enter your package details into Shippo, Pirate Ship, or Easyship. They compare Canada Post, DHL, UPS, FedEx, and regional carriers in real time.
- Check the fine print-look for duty handling, delivery guarantees, and return policies. The cheapest option isn’t worth it if the package gets stuck or lost.
Pro tip: Save your shipping labels. Most aggregators let you reprint them for free. If your recipient isn’t home, you can reschedule without paying extra.
When to skip shipping altogether
Sometimes, the cheapest option isn’t shipping at all. If you’re selling on Amazon, eBay, or Etsy, consider using a global fulfillment service like ShipBob or Flexe. You ship bulk inventory to a warehouse in the destination country. Then, local orders are packed and sent from there. For a seller shipping 50+ items a month to the UK, this cuts costs by 50% and slashes delivery time to 2 days.
Another option: partner with a local distributor. If you’re shipping electronics to Brazil, work with a Brazilian reseller. They handle customs, returns, and local support. You just send them stock once a quarter. It’s not shipping-it’s wholesale.
Real-world comparison: Toronto to London, 1kg package
| Carrier | Service | Price (CAD) | Delivery Time | Duties Handled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada Post | International Parcel | $21 | 7-14 days | No (recipient pays) |
| DHL Express | Express Worldwide | $78 | 2-3 days | Yes (prepaid) |
| UPS | Standard | $52 | 5-7 days | No |
| Shippo (via Canada Post) | Small Packet Air | $17 | 8-12 days | No |
| Parcel Monkey (via Royal Mail) | International Economy | $23 | 10-16 days | Yes |
Canada Post’s Small Packet Air is the cheapest, but slowest. DHL is fastest but most expensive. Shippo’s Canada Post option gives you the same service as Canada Post but with better tracking and lower price. If you need speed and certainty, go with DHL. If you’re okay with waiting, Shippo’s $17 option is the smart pick.
What’s changing in 2025
Three big shifts are making international shipping cheaper:
- AI-powered customs clearance-platforms like Flexport now auto-fill customs forms with 99% accuracy, cutting delays and penalties.
- Carbon-neutral shipping options-Canada Post, DHL, and UPS now offer carbon offset shipping at no extra cost. You’re not paying more-you’re just choosing a greener option.
- Local return hubs-many carriers now have return centers in the EU, Australia, and Canada. If your customer wants to return something, they drop it off locally. You don’t pay to ship it back across the ocean.
These aren’t marketing fluff. They’re real cost-savers. A return that used to cost $45 to ship back from Germany now costs $8 locally. That adds up fast.
Final advice: Don’t just pick the cheapest
The cheapest carrier isn’t always the best. It’s the one that matches your needs. If you’re sending high-value items, pay more for tracking and insurance. If you’re shipping bulk to the same country monthly, use a fulfillment center. If you’re sending a gift, Canada Post’s small packet is perfect.
Test three carriers over the next three shipments. Track delivery time, damage rate, and total cost-including fees. After six shipments, you’ll know exactly which carrier works for you. No guesswork. No overpaying.
Is Canada Post really the cheapest for international shipping?
For lightweight packages under 2kg, yes-Canada Post is often the cheapest, especially to Europe, the UK, and Australia. But it’s only the best if you don’t need fast delivery or guaranteed tracking. For heavier items or urgent shipments, other carriers can be cheaper when booked through aggregators like Shippo.
Do DHL and FedEx always cost more than postal services?
Retail rates? Yes. But if you use a shipping platform like Shippo or Pirate Ship, you can get DHL or FedEx rates at 40-60% off. Sometimes, negotiated DHL is cheaper than Canada Post for a 5kg package to Brazil. Always compare net prices, not retail.
What’s the best carrier for shipping to Latin America?
For Mexico and Central America, Estafeta and DHL Express are strong. For South America, try local partners like Correios (Brazil) or Chilexpress. Through Shippo, you can book these regional carriers at prices 30-50% lower than global couriers. Canada Post works too, but delivery can take 3-6 weeks.
Can I avoid customs fees when shipping internationally?
You can’t avoid them entirely, but you can control them. Declare accurate values and use the right HS code. Some carriers (like DHL) collect duties upfront-you pay once. Others leave it to the recipient, which risks returns. For low-value items under $20-$40, many countries waive duties. Always check the destination country’s de minimis threshold.
Are shipping aggregators safe to use?
Yes. Platforms like Shippo, Pirate Ship, and Easyship are trusted by over 500,000 businesses and individuals. They don’t handle your package-they just connect you to carrier accounts at discounted rates. Your package still goes through Canada Post, DHL, or UPS. You get tracking, insurance, and support from the actual carrier.
