Base weight means the minimum charge for the first package regardless of its actual weight.

In case of Amazon, the charges for Expedited was USD19.98 and its based on number of items that you buy. Lets just assume that this item actually weights 0.30 kg

Now for Compgates and most other Courier, they go by Base weight of 0.50 kg and every increment of 0.50 kg. So, based on our calculation, Compgates will charge you USD20.75 + 10% Fuel Surcharge + 0.65% Insurance = USD22.97.

Now, say you decide to buy another smaller book from Amazon which weights say 0.18 kg and Amazon charges you another say USD14.99 for expedited, your total shipping cost would be USD19.98 + USD14.99 = USD34.97 but if Amazon packs the book nicely and together, the combined weight is only 0.48 kg and hence Compgates would only charge you USD20.75 + 10% Fuel Surcharge + 0.65% Insurance = USD22.97.

Even if say Amazon ships it separately, you will be charged USD20.75 (which the Base Weight for the first package) + USD3.25 (for the second package) + 10% Fuel Surcharge + 0.65% Insurance = USD26.58

If the package weights 1.01 kg, the weight charged will be 1.50 kg. its like Parking, pass 1 minute, they will charge you 1 hr. its the same for most courier, if you go to VPost which is a similar service offered but mainly for SG, first 0.50 kg and subsequent 0.50 kg


Hence, my earlier post that if Amazon charges are less than say USD20+, its cheaper to stick to Amazon but if Amazon is like already USD30+ and above, Compgates is probably cheaper. And again, you have to compare with Amazon Expedited.




Hope u understand what I am trying to say.

This post has been edited by cfa28: Jul 4 2013, 01:39 PM

i see, so amazon doesn't have Fuel surcharge, insurance, duties & taxes ?

I think what Amazon charges is already all in, inclusive of Fuel Surcharge and Insurance. You can e-mail Amazon to confirm.

However, duties / taxes is another issue and if your items are taxable, the courier will inform you how much before paying to the customs and later collecting it from you. It will be the same regardless of Amazon or Compgates.

Last time u bot u kena tax?

So far now. I try to keep my total cost CIF (meaning Cost, Insurance and Freight (shipping) below RM500. Above RM500 and for selected items are taxable. There is a tread at the Trade Resources Centre.

Okay noted. Thanks for all info

i bought one book from amazon before. shipping charges are charged together when you check out your order. i pick the normal cheaper shipping option, stated would arrived to malaysia 4-6 weeks. but arrived to my home only 2 weeks after purchase. wins!

i guess you don't need to opt for the pricier shipping option

I thought at comgateway, my charges is based on my 0.83 KG volume but actually they charge me 1.5 KG instead. Because 0.83 KG is actual weight but 1.44 KG is my Volumetric weight.

Volumetric weight depends on how bulky the package is. Larger packages have a higher volumetric weight. The actual weight of a package refers to how heavy it is.

Link - http://www.comgateway.com/comprayenvia/com...-guide-cost1.do

Same here bro, my I ordered 4-boxes of Face Mask and I opted to ship it together. The actual weight was only 1.8 kg (rounded up to 2 kg) but cos I opted to ship together, the seller put in a very big boxes to contain all the 4-boxes of face mask. The volumetric weight came up to 5.5 kg and cost me gross USD22.75 more but when my package arrived, I could see why cos the large box was necessary to ship all 4-boxes together.

Perhaps next time, I will ship such boxes separately.

There is an option for re-packing which can reduce the weight but i think it needs at least 2 KG only can re-packing.

Repacking is only if your shipment came in a very large box and can actually be put in a smaller box. For mine, the 4 face mask side-by-side takes up too much space. No option to repack but cheaper to ship each box separately but in a shipment in hindsight

This post has been edited by cfa28: Jul 11 2013, 02:53 PM

Halo.. I want to buy 2 identical items which costs 120myr in total from amazon.

the postage fee to msia is 60 in total.

fyi, both of my items costs more than USD 35

is it cheaper if I purchase through 3rd party service? Cuz u c, if I put my address to their address at USA,atm it is free shipping. Then they will charge me for sending it to msia.

fyi, idk what is the size and weight of the items.. Actually they are hair clay.

if it really takes so long to reach my doorstep, I don't mind at all. I want to cut down the expenses only.

This post has been edited by ShadowFiendZXC: Oct 29 2013, 04:32 AM

Getting my stuff shipped via vPost UK. Unfortunately they don't offer consolidated packing for their European warehouse, so I had to pay two separate fees for the two items I bought! But I am not complaining, I am testing out the service anyway.

Next time I will try out other services that have an European address.

This post has been edited by menj: Dec 7 2013, 01:38 PM

Anyone of us encounter with this issues bfr? I've tried on few items that i want to buy, inserted with the correct address but this is what i receive. :S

"We're sorry. This item can't be shipped to your selected destination. You may either change the shipping address or delete the item from your order. "

some items cannot ship back to malaysia.. need get agent to forward it to you.. i got help some lyn people ship items before. but depends worth it or not. sometimes u see the item 10usd, but shipping maybe already 30USD

Most probably their Free Shipping is within US / Canada. Item that I want to purchase is around 70USD plus shipping 30USD, total up which almost equivalent with the price that selling here.

Can we buy supplements from amazon?

could we check the price with comgate for the shipping fees before buying ?

U can calculate by urself if u know the weight of ur thing. Go to comgateway website, and click at ship+track, there will be a price list for every country. U assume ur weight, and add 10% fuel surcharge, 0.65% insurance of ur declared value + shipping cost.

its even more exp than amazon ship direct to malaysia....