A surcharge will be levied on brands selling through CREOATE for Over-dimension/heavy-weight orders. While the vast majority of shipments will not be affected by this, a small number of brands (around 3 - 5%) shipping larger or heavier packages will be subject to the over-dimension/heavy-weight surcharge. The surcharge will be calculated automatically and deducted from your order payment.
What is the definition of Over-dimension/Heavy-weight surcharge?
An over-dimension shipment is defined as a shipment which weighs more than 25kg. The weight is a maximum of volumetric weight of the shipment (aka size or dimensions of the shipment), or the ‘actual’ weight (aka dead weight) of the shipment.
The weight used for calculations is the higher of the dead weight OR volumetric weight of the shipment.
How much is the surcharge:
For UK vendors
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0 - 25 kg: £0
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25 - 70 kg: £1.5 per kg over 25kg
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70+ kg: £67.50 + £4 per kg over 70kg
For US vendors
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0 - 25 kg: $0
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25 - 70 kg: $2 per kg over 25kg
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70+ kg: $90 + $5 per kg over 70kg
For EU vendors
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0 - 25 kg: €0
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25 - 70 kg: €2 per kg over 25kg
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70+ kg: €90 + €5 per kg over 70kg
Guidelines on how to minimize the over-dimension/heavy-weight surcharge
We understand that it may come as a surprise to see over-dimension or heavy-weight shipments at the time of creating the shipping label, they are significantly more expensive for us and our carrier partners.
An over-dimension shipment is defined as one that weighs more than 25kg. The weight is determined by the greater of the volumetric weight (based on the size or dimensions of the shipment) or the actual weight (also known as dead weight). A breakdown of the calculation will be provided at the time of booking the relevant shipment.
What is the volumetric weight of the shipment and how you can optimise it:
The formula to calculate the volumetric weight of a shipment is:
Length × Breadth × Height ÷ 5,000
If the volumetric weight is higher than the dead weight, you may need to be creative in reducing the size of the boxes you use. Here are some ways to achieve this:
- Choose appropriately sized boxes – Choose boxes that closely fit your items to minimise excess space.
- Use adjustable boxes – Boxes that can be resized to fit items better can help save space.
- Optimise padding and cushioning – Use protective materials efficiently to avoid increasing the box size unnecessarily.
- Eliminate empty space – Fill gaps with void fill materials like bubble wrap or packing peanuts to prevent items from shifting without adding bulk.
- Evaluate your product packaging – If feasible, consider designing products or packages that are smaller and more space-efficient.
- Repackage items – Where possible, repack products into smaller, more compact containers.
- Invest in custom packaging – Custom solutions designed to maximise space efficiency can help reduce volumetric weight.
- Vacuum sealing – For items like clothing or soft goods, vacuum-sealing can significantly reduce volume.
- Stacking or nesting – Choose products that can be stacked or nested to minimise overall volume.
Managing the Dead Weight of a Shipment
In most cases, the surcharge levied will be relatively small (if applied at all). However, it can become significant when the total shipment weight exceeds 50kg.
If you cannot reduce the dead weight of a shipment once an order has been placed, you can take proactive steps to manage it effectively for future orders:
- Review pricing and stock levels – If certain low-priced products are ordered in large quantities, they may trigger an Over-Dimension/Heavy-Weight surcharge, impacting margins.
- Adjust stock availability – If necessary, consider reducing the stock quantity of products that may lead to high surcharges.
Important Notes
- The length, breadth, and height must be measured in centimetres (cm) to calculate volumetric weight.
- To determine the total dead weight and volumetric weight for an order with multiple boxes, calculate each box separately and sum the values together.