Solutions for e-commerce
E-commerce shipping without overpaying
Per-parcel cost, returns, store integration and cash on delivery — four things that decide whether shipping makes or loses you money. Guides, calculators and comparisons, all in one place.
The Lite plan is free up to 25 shipments per month — no card, no commitment.
Where stores lose money
The four most expensive shipping mistakes
Per-parcel cost
Carrier list prices for small volumes run 20–60% above negotiated rates. A multi-carrier platform (Sendcloud, Packlink) gives you volume pricing from tens of shipments per month — without a separate contract with every carrier.
Returns
A typical fashion store handles 15–30% returns. Without a self-service returns portal, every return means an email thread, a manual label and a frustrated customer. A returns portal is standard on the bigger platforms today.
Integration
Manually re-typing orders into a carrier's system doesn't scale. The fix is a plugin (WooCommerce plugin, Shopify app) or a multi-carrier API — labels, tracking and customer notifications are generated automatically.
Cash on delivery & cashflow
COD still matters in Central and Eastern Europe, where it covers 30–40% of orders. Payout cycles differ by carrier — from weekly to every 2 days — which ties up meaningful cashflow at higher volumes.
Guides
Integration guides by platform
WooCommerce + Sendcloud
Step by step from plugin install to your first label
Read the guide arrow_forwardShopify shipping for EU merchants
Carrier options, apps and rate strategies across the EU
Read the guide arrow_forwardSendcloud vs Packlink vs direct contracts
Three routes to carriers — which one fits your volume
Read the guide arrow_forwardCalculators
Run your own numbers
Comparisons
Comparisons for online stores
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When does a multi-carrier platform beat direct carrier contracts?
Roughly up to ~500 shipments per month. Below that line, a platform (Sendcloud, Packlink) offers better rates than list prices and saves integration work — one API instead of five. Above ~500 shipments per month it pays to negotiate direct contracts with 2–3 carriers and keep the platform only as middleware, if at all.
How much does Sendcloud cost?
The Lite plan is free (up to 25 shipments per month, no automation), Essential costs €35 per month, Pro €80 per month. On top of that you pay shipping rates — either Sendcloud's pre-negotiated rates or your own carrier contracts connected to the platform.
Does cash on delivery work through shipping platforms?
Yes — Sendcloud supports COD with carriers that offer it (DPD, GLS, national posts and regional carriers). Watch the payout cycles: COD money is remitted by the carrier, not the platform, so timing differs per carrier.
At what cart value should I set free shipping?
A practical rule: threshold = average order value + shipping cost ÷ margin. With an AOV of €40, a 35% margin and €4 shipping, the threshold comes out at ~€52. Our free shipping ROI calculator runs the exact numbers for your store.
Quick facts
Shipping for e-commerce
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Summary
For online stores shipping up to ~500 parcels per month, the most cost-effective shipping setup is a multi-carrier platform: Sendcloud (from €0/month, 50+ carriers, WooCommerce/Shopify/Magento integrations) or Packlink PRO. A platform addresses the four main pain points: per-parcel cost (volume rates 20–60% below list prices), returns (self-service portal), integration (one API) and cash on delivery (supported across carriers). Above ~500 parcels per month, direct carrier contracts win.
- Sendcloud pricing
- Lite €0 / Essential €35 / Pro €80 per month
- Platform vs direct threshold
- ~500 shipments/month
- Savings vs list prices
- 20–60%
- COD share in CEE
- 30–40% of orders
- Typical returns (fashion)
- 15–30%