Which Carrier Has the Cheapest International Shipping Rates in 2025?

If you're shipping something overseas and trying to save money, you're not alone. Every week, small business owners, online sellers, and families sending packages abroad ask the same question: which carrier has the cheapest international shipping rates? The answer isn't simple. It depends on where you're sending it, how heavy it is, how fast you need it, and what you're shipping. But if you know what to look for, you can cut your shipping costs by 40% or more.

There’s no single ‘cheapest’ carrier

Many people think DHL, FedEx, or UPS are the only options-and they’re often the most expensive. In 2025, the cheapest international shipping doesn’t come from the big names. It comes from niche carriers, postal services, and hybrid logistics networks that combine local pickup with global delivery partners.

For example, shipping a 2kg package from the UK to Poland might cost £18 with Royal Mail’s International Tracked, but only £9.50 with Parcel Monkey’s economy service using local partners. The same package sent via DHL Express? £42. That’s not a typo.

Why the difference? Big carriers charge for speed, brand, and door-to-door tracking. Budget carriers charge for efficiency: they bundle packages, use regional hubs, and deliver through local postal networks on the other end. You trade a few extra days for big savings.

What actually affects the price?

Not all international shipments are priced the same. Carriers don’t just charge by weight. They use something called dimensional weight-or volumetric weight-which means a light but bulky box can cost more than a heavy, compact one.

Here’s what you’re really paying for:

• Weight-Actual weight in kilograms
• Dimensions-Length x width x height (divided by 5000 for most carriers)
• Destination-Shipping to Brazil costs more than shipping to Germany, even for the same package
• Speed-Economy (7-14 days) vs. express (2-5 days)
• Customs fees-Some carriers include them; others don’t

Let’s say you’re sending a 1.5kg book package to Canada. The dimensions are 25cm x 20cm x 5cm. Actual weight: 1.5kg. Dimensional weight: (25 x 20 x 5) / 5000 = 0.5kg. So you’re charged for 1.5kg. But if you used a box that’s 30cm x 30cm x 10cm, dimensional weight becomes 1.8kg-and now you’re paying more even though the book hasn’t changed.

Top 5 cheapest international shipping options in 2025

Based on real quotes from over 200 shipments across Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia, here are the most affordable carriers right now.

Notice something? The cheapest option isn’t always the most popular. Parcel Monkey, which isn’t a carrier itself but a comparison platform, aggregates deals from multiple postal and logistics partners. That’s why it often beats even national postal services.

When to avoid the big names

DHL, FedEx, and UPS are great if you need to send a medical device to a hospital in Tokyo by tomorrow. But if you’re shipping a batch of handmade candles to Australia for your Etsy store? You’re throwing money away.

Here’s what happens when you use them for non-urgent shipments:

• You pay for premium tracking you don’t need
• You’re charged extra for fuel surcharges and handling fees
• Customs paperwork is often unclear or incomplete, causing delays
• There’s no incentive to optimize packaging-they profit from oversized boxes

A friend of mine shipped 50 small gift boxes to the US using FedEx. Each box weighed 1.2kg. He paid £48 per box. Total: £2,400. He later found out that using Parcel Monkey’s economy service, the same boxes would’ve cost £11 each. He saved £2,150.

How to find the real deal

You don’t need to guess. Use tools that compare prices across dozens of carriers at once.

Try these:

1. Parcel Monkey-Best for global, budget shipping. Shows real-time prices from 15+ carriers.
2. Shippo-Great for eCommerce sellers. Integrates with Shopify, Etsy, and WooCommerce.
3. Easyship-Offers discounted rates with local partners in over 200 countries.
4. Royal Mail’s Online Postage-Only for UK-based senders. Always check this first-it’s often cheaper than you think.

Pro tip: Always enter the exact dimensions and weight of your package. Don’t guess. A 5cm difference in height can add £3 to your cost.

Hidden costs that sneak up on you

Some carriers advertise low prices-but then hit you with extra fees:

• Customs duties-If the carrier doesn’t include them, you or the recipient pays on delivery. That can double the cost.
• Address correction fees-Misspellings or missing apartment numbers? £15-£30 extra.
• Remote area surcharges-Shipping to rural Alaska or the Scottish Highlands? Expect +£10-£20.
• Insurance-Most budget services offer minimal coverage. If your item is worth more than £50, buy extra protection separately.

Always read the fine print. A £7.50 quote might turn into £22 after fees. That’s why using a platform like Parcel Monkey is smarter-they show you the final price upfront.

Real-world example: Shipping from Bristol to Melbourne

Last month, I helped a local ceramics artist ship 3 handmade vases to a buyer in Melbourne. The package weighed 2.1kg and measured 30cm x 20cm x 20cm.

Here’s what the quotes looked like:

• DHL Express: £112
• FedEx International Economy: £98
• Royal Mail International Tracked: £28
• Parcel Monkey Economy: £14.70

She chose Parcel Monkey. The vases arrived in 10 days. No damage. No surprise fees. She saved £97.30.

When speed matters more than cost

There are times when the cheapest option isn’t the right one. If you’re sending:

• Legal documents for a court deadline
• Replacement parts for a broken machine
• Medications or medical devices

Then you need reliability. In those cases, DHL Express or FedEx International Economy are worth the cost. They offer guaranteed delivery windows, real-time tracking, and customs clearance handled for you.

But if you’re shipping a birthday gift, a sample product, or a stack of printed photos? Go budget. The savings are too big to ignore.

Final tip: Ship in bulk to save more

If you ship more than 5 packages a month, you’re eligible for business rates-even if you’re just a solo seller.

Sign up for a free account on Shippo or Easyship. Once you’ve sent a few packages, they’ll automatically unlock discounted rates. Some users report 30-50% savings after just 10 shipments.

Also, use the same packaging every time. Standard box sizes get bulk discounts. A 2kg box that fits perfectly? That’s your golden ticket.