Unexpected shipping fees can derail your cross-border shopping budget. With PinguBuy's weight-based shipping, you can take control. This guide shows you how to use simple spreadsheet formulas to estimate your total costs before
International shipping costs are typically calculated based on the volumetric weightactual weight
The basic formula used by most forwarders like PinguBuy is straightforward: Remember, "weight" usually refers to the billable weight—the greater of the actual or volumetric weight. Volumetric weight is calculated as Create a simple sheet with the following columns and sample formulas to automate your estimates. Pro Tip:SUM
This proactive method turns shipping from a surprise into a planned, manageable expense. A few minutes with a spreadsheet can save you significant money and stress. By leveraging weight-based formulas to predict your PinguBuy shipping fees, you gain transparency and control over your international purchases. Start estimating today and shop with confidence!Why Estimate Shipping Costs?
The Core Formula for Cost Estimation
Total Shipping Cost = Base Fee + (Weight in kg × Rate per kg)
(Length × Width × Height in cm) / Volumetric Divisor
Building Your Prediction Spreadsheet
Column
Sample Data (A2...)
Formula / Purpose
A: Item
Winter Jacket
Item name
B: Actual Weight (kg)
1.5
Weight from product page
C: Box Dimensions (cm)
40x30x20
Estimated package size
D: Volumetric Weight (kg)
=((LEFT(C2, FIND("x",C2)-1) * MID(C2, FIND("x",C2)+1, FIND("x",C2, FIND("x",C2)+1)-FIND("x",C2)-1) * RIGHT(C2, LEN(C2)-FIND("x",C2, FIND("x",C2)+1)))/5000)
E: Billable Weight (kg)
=MAX(B2, D2)
F: Shipping Rate ($/kg)
5.00
Rate from PinguBuy's price chart
G: Base Handling Fee ($)
3.00
Fixed fee from price chart
H: Estimated Cost ($)
=G2 + (E2 * F2)Putting It Into Practice
Shop Smarter, Not Harder
PinguBuy Spreadsheet: Your Guide to Predicting Shipping Fees
2026-01-28