Shopping online has opened up a world of possibilities. You can now browse stores from anywhere, discover unique products, and find deals that simply aren’t available in your home country. But there’s often one major hurdle standing between you and that perfect purchase: shipping costs.
If you’ve ever abandoned a cart because shipping charges doubled your total, you’re not alone. International shipping can be expensive, complicated, and sometimes impossible. That’s where package forwarding services come to the rescue. These clever solutions can slash your shipping costs while giving you access to stores that don’t ship internationally.
In this guide, we’ll explore how package forwarding works and share practical strategies to minimize your shipping expenses while maximizing your shopping freedom.
What is Package Forwarding?
Package forwarding is like having a friend in another country who receives your packages and ships them to you. Here’s how it works: you get a local address in the US, UK, or another country where you want to shop. You use this address for your purchases, and the forwarding company receives your packages. They then consolidate your items and ship them to your actual address.
This service opens doors to thousands of stores that previously couldn’t reach you. More importantly, it can significantly reduce your shipping costs through various money-saving strategies.
The Hidden Costs of Direct International Shipping
Before diving into savings strategies, let’s understand why international shipping is so expensive. When stores ship directly to international customers, they often use premium services with high markups. They also can’t offer bulk discounts because they’re shipping individual packages.
Many retailers also add handling fees, insurance costs, and customs paperwork charges. Some even refuse international orders entirely because of the complexity and liability involved. This creates a perfect storm of high costs and limited options.
Package forwarding services solve these problems by leveraging economies of scale and specialized logistics networks.
Consolidation: Your Biggest Money-Saver
The most powerful way to save money with package forwarding is consolidation. Instead of shipping each purchase separately, you can combine multiple packages into one shipment.
Let’s say you buy a pair of shoes for $50, a jacket for $80, and some accessories for $30 from three different US stores. If each store charged $25 for international shipping, you’d pay $75 in shipping costs alone. With package forwarding, you might pay just $35-45 for one consolidated shipment.
Here’s how to maximize consolidation savings:
Shop strategically. Plan your purchases and place multiple orders around the same time. Most forwarding services offer free storage for 30-90 days, giving you plenty of time to accumulate packages.
Look for lightweight additions. If you’re already shipping a heavy item, adding lightweight products barely increases your shipping cost. That $15 phone case might only add $2 to your shipping instead of costing $20 to ship separately.
Consider seasonal timing. Plan bigger shopping sprees around sales events like Black Friday or end-of-season clearances. You’ll save on both product prices and shipping through consolidation.
Choose the Right Shipping Speed
One of the biggest advantages of package forwarding is choice. While direct retailer shipping often defaults to expensive express options, forwarding services typically offer multiple shipping speeds.
Express shipping (2-5 days) costs significantly more than standard shipping (7-21 days). Unless you need items urgently, choosing slower shipping can cut your costs by 40-60%.
For non-urgent items like clothing, books, or home goods, economy shipping is usually the smartest choice. Save express shipping for time-sensitive purchases like gifts or items you need for specific events.
Take Advantage of Shipping Promotions
Many package forwarding services offer regular promotions that can dramatically reduce your costs:
Volume discounts reward frequent shippers or large packages. Some services offer graduated pricing where larger shipments cost less per pound.
Seasonal promotions often coincide with major shopping periods. You might find 20-30% shipping discounts during Black Friday or holiday seasons.
Loyalty programs can provide ongoing savings for regular customers. These might include reduced shipping rates, free consolidation, or priority processing.
First-time customer discounts can make trying a new service very affordable. Some companies offer 50% off your first shipment.
Sign up for newsletters and follow your forwarding service on social media to stay informed about current promotions.
Optimize Your Package Weight and Dimensions
Understanding how shipping costs are calculated can help you make smarter decisions. Most services use either actual weight or dimensional weight (length × width × height ÷ dimensional factor), whichever is greater.
Remove unnecessary packaging. Many forwarding services offer repackaging to remove bulky retail packaging and reduce dimensional weight. This can save significant money on lightweight, bulky items.
Avoid splitting lightweight items. If you’re shipping multiple small items, keep them together. The minimum weight charge often means shipping two 0.5-pound packages costs more than one 1-pound package.
Consider prohibited items. Some items like batteries, liquids, or electronics might require special handling or be prohibited entirely. Check restrictions before shopping to avoid surprises.
Compare Shipping Carriers
Most package forwarding services work with multiple carriers like DHL, FedEx, UPS, and postal services. Prices can vary significantly between carriers for the same destination.
Economy postal options are usually cheapest for small, light packages. Express courier services cost more but offer better tracking and faster delivery. Some services let you compare options and choose the best balance of cost and speed for each shipment.
Smart Shopping Strategies
Your shopping habits can significantly impact your shipping costs:
Buy from stores with forwarding-friendly policies. Some retailers work particularly well with forwarding services and have fewer restrictions on shipments to commercial addresses.
Avoid multiple small orders. Instead of buying items as you think of them, create a wishlist and shop in batches to maximize consolidation benefits.
Check for free shipping thresholds. Many stores offer free domestic shipping above certain amounts. Reaching these thresholds can reduce the total cost of getting items to your forwarding address.
Consider store return policies. Returns through forwarding services can be complicated and expensive. Stick to stores with generous return policies and accurate sizing information.
Shop Like a Savvy International Buyer
Finding Coupons and Discounts
Always search for discount codes before checking out. Websites like RetailMeNot, Honey, and Rakuten automatically apply active coupon codes, helping you save on both products and shipping fees. Don’t forget to subscribe to store newsletters—retailers often send first-time buyer promo codes or special holiday deals to their subscribers.
Many package forwarding services also have partnerships with popular stores and occasionally share exclusive offers with their customers. Take a moment to check their “deals” section for current promotions before making big purchases.
Leverage Cashback and Rewards Programs
Cashback sites and loyalty programs present a great way to earn back a percentage of your spending. Platforms such as Rakuten, TopCashback, and Swagbucks reward you for shopping through their links. Over time, those cashback earnings can add up, helping offset shipping or forwarding fees.
Some credit cards also offer rewards or travel points for online purchases, including international spending. If you have a reward program, make sure to use the right card to get extra value from your shopping.
Shopping During Major Sales Events
Timing your shopping around big sales events can lead to impressive savings. Internationally recognized events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Singles’ Day, and end-of-season clearances deliver massive discounts that can compensate for shipping costs, or even make it worthwhile to pay for express shipping when the deal is right.
How to Compare International Shipping Options
If your package forwarding service offers a shipping calculator or real-time rate comparisons, use it! This helps you see the cost difference between various carriers, insurance, and delivery speed options before finalizing a shipment.
Remember to factor in customs duties and import taxes. Some forwarding services offer tax-saving consultation or options to prepay customs, so you can avoid surprise costs at delivery. Always check the estimated total (including duties, taxes, and insurance) for each shipping method to make the most cost-effective choice.
Explore Local Alternatives and Regional Marketplaces
Sometimes, a local or regional marketplace may have the same products for less—without expensive overseas shipping. Compare prices on global platforms such as Amazon Global, eBay, or AliExpress to see if the item is available closer to your home.
Additionally, some package forwarders operate in more than one country. See if your provider has warehouses in regions with more competitive shipping rates or shorter transit times.
Join Online Shopping Communities
Online forums and social media groups dedicated to international shopping and package forwarding are gold mines for tips. Members often share current promotion codes, recommend reliable forwarders, and warn about potential shipping issues with particular carriers or countries. Joining these communities can help you stay up to date and save even more.
Calculate Your True Savings
To understand your savings, compare the total cost of forwarding versus direct shipping. Include:
- Product prices (sometimes different for international customers)
- Domestic shipping to forwarding address
- Forwarding service fees
- International shipping costs
- Any customs duties or taxes
Many customers find they save 30-50% on shipping costs while gaining access to thousands more products and better prices.
Additional Benefits Beyond Cost Savings
Package forwarding offers advantages beyond just cheaper shipping:
Access to exclusive products not available in your country
Better prices on items that might have high markups locally
Consolidated customs handling instead of dealing with multiple small packages
Professional packaging that better protects your items
Package inspection to ensure you receive what you ordered
Getting Started with Package Forwarding
Ready to start saving on shipping costs? Here’s how to begin:
- Research services that serve your country and compare their rates and features. If you’re looking for a trusted option, DeliveringParcel.com is highly recommended as one of the best package forwarding companies worldwide for shopping and shipping.
- Sign up for an account and get your forwarding address.
- Start with a small order to test the service and process.
- Plan your next shopping spree to take advantage of consolidation.
- Monitor promotions to maximize your savings.
Your Path to Shopping and Shipping Savings
Package forwarding transforms international shopping from an expensive hassle into an affordable adventure. By consolidating shipments, choosing appropriate shipping speeds, searching for deals, and leveraging cashback programs, you can access global markets without breaking the bank.
The key is to think strategically about your purchases and use the tools and tips outlined here. With a little planning, you’ll wonder how you ever shopped internationally without these smart savings strategies.
Start small, learn the process, and gradually increase your international shopping as you become comfortable with the savings and convenience. Your wallet will thank you, and your shopping options will expand dramatically.
