Q: How is OneBox different from consolidation?

Good question. Here’s the key difference: Consolidation means shipping multiple packages together under one tracking number. You save by paying the base charge only once , but each package keeps its original packaging. OneBox goes a step further: we remove and reduce the packaging to lower your volumetric weight , often saving you even more. Think of consolidation as “bundling,” and OneBox as “rebuilding a smarter shipment.”

Q: What is the Business Program?

The comGateway Business Program is our top-tier membership designed for frequent shippers, resellers, and ecommerce users who need more storage, better rates, and access to fulfillment tools. For US$100/year , Business members get: Our lowest shipping rates across all weight tiers 5% BuyForMe fee - Look out for our email on promotional vouchers! 90 days free storage (longest available) Free repacking & consolidation Access to ecommerce warehouse tools and SNS integration

Question 1

How is OneBox different from consolidation?

Accepted Answer

Good question. Here’s the key difference:

Consolidation means shipping multiple packages together under one tracking number. You save by paying the base charge only once, but each package keeps its original packaging.

OneBox goes a step further: we remove and reduce the packaging to lower your volumetric weight, often saving you even more.

Think of consolidation as “bundling,” and OneBox as “rebuilding a smarter shipment.”

Question 2

Are there other fees?

Accepted Answer

Yes—but only in special cases.

Our shipping partners (DHL and FedEx) may apply surcharges for certain types of deliveries.

These apply to about 5% of shipments annually and include things like:

Remote area delivery

Oversized or irregularly shaped packages

Non-stackable packages

Additional handling requirements

🧾 We review these surcharges regularly and always aim to keep them fair, accurate, and fully transparent.

Surcharges Table

Screenshot 2025-11-14 at 9.17.39 AM.png

Note: Variations in cost depends on the delivering courier and shipment's final destination.

Question 3

What’s the difference between volumetric weight vs actual weight?

Accepted Answer

Shipping weight is based on whichever is greater:

Actual weight – the physical weight of your package in kilograms

Volumetric weight – how much space the package takes up

📦 If your package is large but lightweight (like a pillow in a big box), the
volumetric weight

Why is volumetric weight sometimes used instead of actual weight?

In international air shipping, space is just as important as weight. Large packages—even light ones—take up valuable cargo room.

That’s why couriers charge based on the larger of the two: actual weight vs. volumetric weight.

How is volumetric weight calculated?

Volumetric weight is calculated using the package’s dimensions:

Length × Width × Height (in cm) ÷ Volumetric Factor

Our courier partners (DHL and FedEx) use the industry standard volumetric factor to determine billable weight.

🧠 We always compare both weights—and you’re charged whichever is higher.

Clipboard Image.png

Heads up: Merchant weight ≠ shipping weight

The shipping weight listed by U.S. retailers (on your order confirmation) is usually based on domestic ground shipping, and does not correspond to international air shipping criteria.

Domestic ground shipping calculations:

Might not include volumetric weight

May use a different formula altogether

So don’t rely on merchant info for estimating international shipping cost—learn how to estimate your shipping costs here

Question 4

What is the consolidation service?

Accepted Answer

Consolidation, repack and storage are services we offer at your U.S. Address. Use these services (if applicable) to save on international shipping. Manage these services (if applicable) in My Packages

Have two or more packages you want to ship internationally?

Consolidation lets you ship multiple packages from your U.S. address together as one international shipment. This helps you save on shipping costs by avoiding duplicate base charges.

📦 Instead of shipping each box separately (and paying multiple base rates), we combine your packages into one shipment.

Select to ship them all at the same time to save on shipping costs (this will count as one shipment). Shipping them separately will cost much more than combining them together into one shipment.

Why does consolidation save money?

The base charge (for the first 0.5kg) is always higher than the per-0.5kg rate that follows.

So if you ship three packages separately, you pay the base charge three times.

But if you consolidate them into one shipment, you only pay the base charge once.

Consolidation details:

Consolidate up to 3 packages per shipment for free

Additional packages cost $1 each

Prime members get unlimited free consolidation

You can consolidate up to 15 packages in a single shipment

When is consolidation not a savings option?

Some countries charge taxes based on the total value of a shipment.
If combining packages pushes your total over a tax-free threshold, it may cost more in duties.

Always check your country’s import tax rules before consolidating.

Question 5

What is the Business Program?

Accepted Answer

The comGateway Business Program is our top-tier membership designed for frequent shippers, resellers, and ecommerce users who need more storage, better rates, and access to fulfillment tools.

For US$100/year, Business members get:

Our lowest shipping rates across all weight tiers

5% BuyForMe fee - Look out for our email on promotional vouchers!

90 days free storage (longest available)

Free repacking & consolidation

Access to ecommerce warehouse tools and SNS integration

Shipping to Qatar

Estimate Shipping Cost to Qatar

Shipping Solutions Backed by World-Class Couriers

Support

About Us

Learn More

Want First Dibs on Shipping & BuyForMe Discounts?

For comGateway updates