Understanding Shipping Lines
When your order is ready to ship from ACBuy's warehouse, you'll choose from a range of international shipping lines. Each has different trade-offs between cost, speed, tracking reliability, and customs risk. Understanding these differences can save you significant money and frustration.
Shipping costs are calculated by actual weight or volumetric weight (whichever is greater), so bulky items like jackets and shoes can cost more to ship than their actual weight suggests. ACBuy's shipping calculator gives you accurate estimates before you commit.
Shipping Line Comparison
Key metrics for the most popular shipping lines:
Which Shipping Line Should You Choose?
Recommendations based on your situation:
- Time-sensitive (gift, event): Use DHL or EMS — worth the premium for reliability
- Budget-conscious, patient: SAL or ePacket — save 60-70% vs express
- Heavy haul (3kg+): Sea freight becomes cost-effective for large consolidations
- US buyers: DHL and EMS have excellent US customs clearance rates
- EU buyers: Check your country's customs threshold — some lines trigger duties more often
- Australia/NZ: EMS and ePacket have strong track records for these destinations
- First-time buyer: Start with EMS — good balance of speed, cost, and tracking
Consolidation: The Secret to Saving on Shipping
How to maximize savings through order consolidation:
Build Your Haul
Add multiple items to your ACBuy cart over days or weeks. All items are stored free in the warehouse.
Request Consolidation
Once all items arrive, request consolidation. ACBuy repacks everything into one or two optimized packages.
Weigh and Calculate
Use ACBuy's shipping calculator to compare lines. A 5kg consolidated haul via SAL might cost $25 vs $120 via DHL.
Choose Your Line
Select based on your timeline and budget. Consider splitting into two packages if one line has weight limits.
Track Your Package
Use 17track.net for universal tracking across all shipping lines. ACBuy also provides tracking updates in your dashboard.
Customs and Duties: What to Expect
Customs is the wildcard of international shipping. Most countries have a de minimis threshold below which no duties are charged — in the US this is $800, in the UK it's £135, and in the EU it varies by country (typically €150).
ACBuy can declare packages at lower values to reduce customs risk, but this is a gray area and policies vary. For large hauls, consider splitting into multiple packages to stay under thresholds. Always check your country's current import rules before shipping.
If your package is held at customs, ACBuy can provide documentation to help clear it. Most customs holds are resolved within 1-2 weeks with proper documentation.
