Can anyone explain why my shipping cost are higher my invoice than the label price upon printing?

[my_boston_baked_beans]

My recent eBay invoice showed shipping prices higher than what was stated when I printed the shipping label

WHY?

[corvettestainless]

Did you ship Fedex? 

[my_boston_baked_beans]

yes

[csbbct]

I assume you're talking about FedEx shipping that is billed on your invoice?

FedEx costs are affected by the box dimensions even more than USPS - for FedEx a 10x10x6 box will be charged more than a 10x10x4 box even if the weight is the same where USPS may charge the same price.  If you did not put the exact dimensions into the shipping label, FedEx would and you'd be charged on your invoice the amount based on the actual dimensions.

Maybe this is the problem.  My invoiced and shipping label prices have always been the same but I always make sure the box size is correct when printing the label. 

[my_boston_baked_beans]

So is there a surcharge? A few were $10 more than what was quoted on the label at the time of printing

Is UPS better?

[csbbct]

I wouldn't call it a surcharge.  It's just that FedEx looks more at box size dimensions when determining the price so if your dimensions are not correct when printing the label, you may see a higher price on the invoice because FedEx will measure the box and adjust the price accordingly.

I don't use UPS, so not sure if it would be different.

[rebell45]

FedEx seems to be slapping a surcharge on everything nowadays. I always take the package to their store and have them recheck everything before I turn it over to them.  For UPS, price it out on their website before buying from eBay. They just started offering UPS on eBay, so there may be some glitches to be worked out.

[corvettestainless]

If you put the correct weight and dimensions in BEFORE you list, the system is suppose to charge the customer correctly (or just you if you do free shipping)

If dimensions are different when you print, price may still reflect 'old' price, but gets 'revised' later.... hence the 'new billing'.

UPS will do the same

USPS will not- what you see is what you pay. Seldom are there 'back charges' like are quite common using Fx or UPS....

[my_boston_baked_beans]

I appreciate all the input:) I try to be exact and round off, but these extra unexpected charges by Fedex is enough for me to go elsewhere. When putting in the information for a label I check both USPS and Fedex, and 9 times out of 10 Fedex is cheaper, but now thanks to all of you  I know that is not the end result on my invoice. I guess, I will increase shipping and go USPS.

However , recently I shipped a mirror USPS Priority from Memphis to LA on 9/4/2020 and it is still in transit. I opened case with USPS to locate the item under lost merchandise, and it has been located, but still not delivered as of today 9//18 /2020 ridiculous!

[disneyshopper]

USPS will not- what you see is what you pay. Seldom are there 'back charges' like are quite common using Fx or UPS....

USPS uses AVP - Automatic Verification Program ( think it is called).  If any of the regional sorting centers find a discrepancy for the paid shipping, they will charge back ebay, and then ebay will charge your seller invoice.  I have had both charges and credits sent to my seller invoices.

[comf04]

It could be because FedEx charges either the actual weight or dimensional weight, whichever is higher. USPS only charges based on the actual weight.

If you offer USPS and FedEx as shipping options on the same listing, you cannot differentiate between actual weight for USPS and dimensional weight for FedEx. You can only input one weight into the shipping calculator.... a shortcoming that hasn't been addressed by ebay.

It's important to remember that the FedEx price in the calculator is only an estimate. It helps to use the Dimensional Weight Calculator on the FedEx site to get a more accurate idea of what the shipping cost will actually be.

https://pages.message.fedex.com/weight_calculator/

[disneyshopper]

 USPS only charges based on the actual weight.

That is not correct.  If the package is more than 1728 cubic inches (12x12x12), then USPS does charge dimensional rates.

[lja440]

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@my_boston_baked_beans wrote:

I appreciate all the input:) I try to be exact and round off, but these extra unexpected charges by Fedex is enough for me to go elsewhere. When putting in the information for a label I check both USPS and Fedex, and 9 times out of 10 Fedex is cheaper, but now thanks to all of you  I know that is not the end result on my invoice. I guess, I will increase shipping and go USPS.

However , recently I shipped a mirror USPS Priority from Memphis to LA on 9/4/2020 and it is still in transit. I opened case with USPS to locate the item under lost merchandise, and it has been located, but still not delivered as of today 9//18 /2020 ridiculous!

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If you were to ship FedEx to MY address you would get a remote delivery charge as well as fuel surcharge's. These can really rack up even on a small package.  I had to ship something back with a pre-paid FedEx return label. FedEx demanded a $11.45 Pick-up fee just to take it. I also had to be home to hand it off (several days of them claiming there was no package when I left it with a check for pick-up), so I lost most of my day off waiting for them.

[nobody*s_perfect]

"If you offer USPS and FedEx as shipping options on the same listing, you cannot differentiate between actual weight for USPS and dimensional weight for FedEx. You can only input one weight into the shipping calculator.... a shortcoming that hasn't been addressed by eBay."

That's not a problem.  If you enter accurate package dimensions, then the shipping calculator will automatically figure the correct dimensional weight for all carriers. As noted, USPS imposes a dimensional weight for packages over 1 cubic foot which are sent via Priority Mail, Parcel Select Ground, or Retail Ground. Sellers don't need to know or figure out what the package's dimensional weight will be.

[comf04]

😕 Sorry. I believe you are right and I am mistaken. I pulled up the shipping calculators on ebay and FedEx and did some comparison entries and things appear to be working as you describe. I recently shipped an item by FedEx and am waiting to see if my invoice matches what I charged.

I guess people are having issues with FedEx mainly because they don't enter the correct package info before creating a label.