How Surprise Carrier Fees Can Add to Your Shipping Costs

Shipping packages can sometimes cost more than expected. Let’s learn how to avoid surprise fees that can increase your shipping expenses by up to 25%.

Why Do Extra Fees Happen?

Sometimes, shipping companies add extra charges after you’ve paid for a shipping label. These charges can come from:

• Changing Surcharges: Fees like fuel costs or delivering to remote areas can change quickly.
• Incorrect Package Details: If the weight or size of your package is wrong, you might be charged more.

Common Extra Charges

Here are some common reasons you might see extra fees:

• Fuel Surcharges: These can change daily and are hard to predict.
• Remote Area Delivery: Delivering to out-of-the-way places can cost more.
• Wrong Address: If the delivery address is incorrect, you might pay an extra fee.

How to Avoid Extra Fees

To keep your shipping costs under control, try these tips:

1. Ship Packages Quickly: Send out packages soon after printing the shipping label to avoid changing surcharges.
2. Check Addresses: Make sure the delivery address is correct to avoid address correction fees. Using address validation tools can help prevent costly corrections.
3. Use Accurate Package Details: Measure and weigh your packages carefully. Carriers often charge extra for packages with incorrect weight or dimensions.

How String Can Help

Managing all these details can be tough. That’s where String comes in. String integrates with ShipStation to improve features like rate shopping. It helps automate packing and ensures accurate package details, saving you time and money.

For more tips on saving money on shipping, check out our blog post on Easy Tips for Your Business.

By following these steps and using tools like String, you can avoid surprise fees and keep your shipping costs low.

Are you leaving money on every shipment?

Most ShipStation stores are — oversized boxes, rate programs that never get checked, and packaging that doesn't match what's actually being shipped. String builds custom packing, rate, and shipping logic directly into your ShipStation setup, so every order ships at the real lowest cost without manual review.

Book a free shipping audit

We'll show you exactly what's costing you, and whether String can fix it.