When we intend to send goods, we consider the cost of the chosen courier service. The shipping cost offered by a courier might seem very low initially. However, it's essential to know that when combined with the courier's package weight tolerance limit, the cost can escalate significantly.
If a package weighs less than 1 kg, say 800 grams, most couriers often round it up to 1 kg. Even if the item weighs as little as 50 grams, like an envelope containing a letter, the package weight is still considered 1 kg.
Maximum tolerance limit: 0.5 kg (500 grams)
Currently, some couriers offer shipping options with weight tolerance below 1 kg. For instance, ID Express provides IDLite with a 0.5 kg or 500-gram weight limit. Sicepat also offers a similar option, available specifically on the Shopee e-commerce platform.
Tolerance Limits for Packages above 1 kg
For packages weighing more than 1 kg but less than 2 kg, such as 1.1 kg or 1.2 kg, each courier has its own policy, rounding up occurs when the weight touches the courier's tolerance limit.
If a courier's tolerance limit is 0.3 kg, any item weighing 1.3 kg or less will be rounded up to 1 kg. However, if the item weighs above 1.3 kg, for instance, 1.31 kg, it will be rounded up to 2 kg.
Couriers like J&T Express, JNE, IdExpress, Sicepat, Pos Indonesia, Tiki, Lion Parcel, Ninja, Paxel, Anteraja have a 1.3 kg tolerance.
Wahana, on the other hand, has no tolerance for excess weight above 1 kg. For example, if an item weighs 1.01 kg, it will be rounded up to 2 kg.
By knowing the package weight tolerance for each courier, when needing delivery services, we can analyze beforehand to ensure the total shipping costs become more economical.
For example, when needing to send a 6 kg package, splitting it into 5 smaller parcels of 1.2 kg each and using a courier with a 1.3 kg tolerance can significantly reduce shipping costs. This approach costs 5 parcels x the shipping cost for 1 kg each, compared to the single 6 kg package cost. In this example, it results in a 16.67% cost savings.