What Are Shipping Adjustments?  Why Do They Happen and How to Prevent Them.

A Shipping Adjustment, or Price Adjustment is what happens when someone has entered incorrect shipment details while generating a shipping label.

 

It is very important to note that shipping price adjustments are a standard industry practice and all shipping carriers follow this standard. To avoid price adjustments, verify that you are entering the correct information when you are purchasing a shipping label as outlined below.

Any mistakes in the shipment details or missing information will trigger a billing adjustment from the courier – on average 30% of shipments get adjusted and this usually means additional charges, charged to you after the fact.

No one likes shipping adjustments!

 

There are three major reasons for shipping adjustments:

  1. The package measurements/dimensions
  2. The package weight
  3. The package type/special handling

After you have shipped your package, the correct shipping label price is always verified by the shipping carrier that you selected. 

If you paid an incorrect amount to ship the order, then your carrier debits you the difference. 

 

 

 

 

Are you wondering why and how these Shipping Adjustments happen and how they can be avoided?  Read on for an explanation of each and how they can be avoided

 

  1. Package Measurements – All carriers have electronic imaging to capture the packages as they are processed through the shipping hub.  Some of them even have laser scanners to measure dimensions to a fraction of an inch. When your package passes through the imaging process the dimensions are recorded at the largest angle.  If the box is 8 inches at the end and 8.25 inches in the middle (due to compression) the package will be measured at 8.25 inches.   Carriers never round down and we advise that you round up whenever possible.
  2. Dimensional Weight – Each carrier uses a specific formula which is individually taken into consideration when you enter your package dimensions.  If the package is very large and very light the carriers will use a dimensional weight instead of the actual weight of the package.  The formula is based on length x width x height divided by a unique carrier specific divisor.  The good news is that ShipTime does the math for you; the bad news is that if you enter the incorrect dimensions an adjustment could be headed your way. 
  3. Special Handling – Our carriers carefully consider how the contents of your shipment are packaged.   Is your item in a very long, wide or odd shaped box or no box at all (not recommended)?  The shipping hubs often have conveyors that move your packages through the hub.  If the item is bulky it will need to be removed from the conveyor thus requiring special handling.  Also to consider if the item is packaged in a plastic box, has a smooth shiny surface or in a tube.  These items when reaching an incline or decline on the conveyor are at risk of slipping off and would require special handling.  Rule of thumb ask yourself “can this package be conveyed”, if not you will need to check the box for special handling.

Let’s end shipping adjustments!

How to prevent adjustments. 

There are only a few simple steps for you to follow to ensure you never have to see a shipping adjustment:

  1. Measure your package at the largest point on each side
  2. Weigh the package
  3. Weigh the package again (who trusts a scale on the first weigh in)
  4. Indicate any special handling if your package is not a corrugated standard size/shape box.  
  5. Take your time in entering your information and double check all your shipment details in the Finalize & Pay section.  This quick check can prevent not only billing adjustments but also problems in transit.

 

 

We dislike adjustments and we know you do too, we want your experience with ShipTime and our courier partners to be as smooth and pain free as possible! 

Let’s spread the word to end adjustments on ShipTime shipments.