Shipping · operations
OkeyHaul shipping & consolidationvolume math, packing calls, claim hygiene
Consolidation is how spreadsheet hauls stay sane. Volume is how they still get expensive. This page is about decisions after QC — not flag icons.
Why consolidate (with numbers in mind)
Each international send usually carries a base + per-kg (or volumetric) component. Three 1.5 kg parcels can cost more than one 4.5 kg parcel even before you count three customs touches and three trackings. The warehouse exists so you can wait for slow sellers, finish QC, then pay outbound once.
Storage is commonly described around 90 days from stored status — confirm live. That window is a tool. Wasting it until day 85 and panic-shipping bad QC is how people donate money to carriers.
When you should NOT consolidate
- One item still waiting recheck / return — leave it out.
- Liquids, batteries, or other restricted goods on a clothes line that forbids them.
- You need one gift yesterday and the rest can wait — split consciously; pay the second base fee with eyes open.
- Declared-value / compensation strategy differs (high-value watch vs bulk tees) and the line’s rules punish mixing.
Volumetric weight — do the arithmetic
Carriers bill space. Pattern used on many air products:
Volumetric kg = (Length × Width × Height in cm) ÷ divisor
Divisor is often 5000 or 6000 — use the number printed for your line. Billable kg is commonly max(actual kg, volumetric kg).
Example A — hoodie haul, airy carton
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Carton | 55 × 45 × 40 cm |
| Volume | 99,000 cm³ |
| ÷ 5000 | 19.8 kg volumetric |
| Scale | 5.1 kg actual |
| Likely billed | ~19.8 kg |
Compression / tighter fold (when the warehouse offers it and the fabric allows) exists to attack this gap — not to “make shipping free.”
Example B — same clothes, smaller carton
Suppose packing reduces the carton to 45 × 35 × 30 cm = 47,250 cm³ ÷ 5000 = 9.45 kg volumetric. If actual is still ~5.1 kg, billable drops from ~19.8 toward ~9.45. That is a real-money difference on any per-kg line — before you even argue about routes.
Packing trade-offs (decision table)
| Choice | Saves | Costs / risks |
|---|---|---|
| Remove sneaker boxes | Volume | Crush, crease, resale packaging |
| Keep boxes | Protection / presentation | Volumetric kg spike |
| Vacuum hoodies | Volume | Not ideal for some prints/fills; ask first |
| Parcel photos option | Evidence | Must be selected at waybill time if offered free |
Audit the quote before pay
- Actual vs volumetric — which column wins?
- Route name, ETA band, and whether ETA is a target.
- Declared value vs compensation ceiling.
- Exclusions list (liquids, batteries, “special goods”).
- Coupon code / auto discount actually applied.
- Optional services you did not intend (reinforce, insurance add-on).
Claims hygiene
Public agent messaging typically says third-party carrier loss or damage follows carrier compensation rules, with support assisting the claim. Before you need it:
- Save the full QC gallery while it is still online.
- Save waybill / parcel ID and the paid quote screenshot.
- Save tracking milestones and delivery photos if any.
- Open the claim path quickly — deadlines are short on many lines.
QC before ship is still cheaper than any claim. See QC guide.
Country pages
Same operations; local customs/tax orientation differs.
Related
FAQ
Is removing the shoe box always worth it?+
If freight is volumetric-driven and you do not need the box for resale/protection, yes it often pays. If the shoes are soft-knit and crush easily, the box may be cheaper than a damaged pair. Decide per haul, not by dogma.
Can I ship perfume with clothes?+
Only if the selected line allows liquids. Otherwise the warehouse may pull the bottle or block the waybill. Confirm before you tick consolidate.
Who pays if the courier loses the parcel?+
Usually the route’s compensation rules, with agent support helping the claim — not automatic full retail. Caps and exclusions matter more than the spreadsheet total.
Next step
Finish QC, then request a measured quote — never invent freight from spreadsheet grams.