Four shipping lanes, five weight bands
Freight is a step function, not a curve. The table below is the whole matrix: four lanes across five weight bands, with the transit figures that belong to each. The cost columns are modelled from published tariffs; the time columns are measured from stage timestamps in a sample of 96 orders.
Browse the live catalogue · Check a billed weight · Destination notes
The matrix
| Lane | 1.5 kg | 3 kg | 5 kg | 8 kg | 12 kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US — Economy | $5.90–$9.40 | $9.20–$15.10 | $14.80–$24.30 | $22.60–$36.90 | $31.40–$52.80 |
| US — Express | $11.40–$17.20 | $17.10–$26.40 | $25.30–$39.70 | $36.20–$57.10 | $48.90–$78.40 |
| UK — Standard | $6.40–$10.80 | $10.10–$17.30 | $16.20–$27.10 | $24.40–$40.20 | $33.80–$56.10 |
| EU — Standard | $7.10–$11.90 | $11.30–$19.20 | $18.00–$30.40 | $27.10–$44.80 | $37.60–$62.30 |
Modelled from published lane tariffs on the collection date. Billed weight, not scale weight, drives which column applies.
Transit, stage by stage
The bands below show the p10 to p90 span for each stage on the US economy lane. A narrow band means the stage is predictable; a wide one means the outcome depends on something you may still be able to change.
Bands show the p10 to p90 span for each stage; the solid tick is the median and the open circle marks where the slowest tenth begins. Sample size is printed per stage.
- Reading the band
- A narrow band means the stage is predictable; a wide one means the outcome depends on something you may control.
- Tail triggers
- A seller who does not confirm the order within 24 hours is the single largest cause of a slow start. Warehouse queues around a public holiday push this stage past four days. Consolidation requests submitted after the parcel is already packed restart the clock.
The slowest 10%, and what triggers it
| Lane | Trigger | Preventable |
|---|---|---|
| US — Economy | Public holidays in the origin city (the warehouse closes, but the seller clock keeps running) | Yes — addressable before payment |
| US — Economy | Orders containing a battery or liquid, which need a different export declaration | Yes — addressable before payment |
| US — Express | A failed first delivery attempt (adds two days and sometimes a redelivery fee) | Yes — addressable before payment |
| US — Express | Incomplete address data supplied to the agent when the order was placed | Yes — addressable before payment |
| UK — Standard | Incomplete VAT or importer details on the declaration | Yes — addressable before payment |
| UK — Standard | Orders placed in the two weeks before a UK public holiday | Yes — addressable before payment |
| EU — Standard | The destination country’s own import VAT regime, which varies inside the EU | Yes — addressable before payment |
| EU — Standard | Multi-seller orders that must be consolidated before export | Yes — addressable before payment |
The tail is not a slower version of the median: it has its own causes. Random customs inspection is the only one with no preventive action.