How to save on parcel shipping costs in 2026?

Between inflation and rising fuel prices, shipping costs have never been so high in France. In 2026, sending a 10 kg parcel can cost nearly €20 at public rates. But did you know it is possible to cut this bill in half? Here are 7 concrete tips to reduce your shipping costs.

At a glance: By using AuctionShip, you can save up to 45% on every shipment compared to Colissimo rates. Check your savings →

1. Use negotiated transport services

The best way to save on your shipments is to use a service that has negotiated wholesale rates. That is the principle behind AuctionShip: we have negotiated preferential prices with our partner carrierOur logistics partner is a major European transport player, present throughout France with a 24/48H service. so you can benefit from them. On average, our users save between 30% and 45% compared to Colissimo rates.

A concrete example: a 12 kg parcel that would cost you €25.29 with Colissimo costs you about €20 with us. Over 50 shipments a year, that is more than €250 in savings.

2. Choose the right weight and dimensions

The volumetric weightCalculation: Length × width × height (in cm) / 6000. Example: a parcel of 80×60×10 cm = 48000/6000 = 8 kg volumetric. is the classic trap. The formula: L × W × H (cm) / 6000. The carrier bills the higher of the actual weight and the volumetric weight.

Example: a 2 kg painting measuring 80×60×10 cm will have a volumetric weight of (80×60×10)/6000 = 8 kg. You pay for 8 kg, not 2 kg. Tip: dismantle frames or use more compact packaging.

3. Consolidate your parcels

Need to send several parcels to the same recipient? Combine them into a single shipment. Shipping one 15 kg parcel often costs less than two 8 kg parcels. With AuctionShip, our multi-parcel system lets you optimise your shipments. Simulate your multi-parcel rate →

4. Avoid surcharge zones

Some destinations incur geographical surcharges:

Corsica (2A, 2B) : +€22.83 per parcel
Overseas territories (971 to 988) : +€7.64 per parcel
Mountainous areas : +€4.92 per parcel

If possible, have your parcels delivered to a pickup point in mainland France to avoid these surcharges.

Please note: The surcharges for Corsica and the overseas territories apply both on departure and on arrival. A delivery from Paris to Corsica costs €22.83 more than a Paris-Paris delivery.

5. Take advantage of multi-parcel offers

If you ship regularly, moving to volume shipping changes everything. With AuctionShip, we pool the volumes of all our customers to offer you wholesale rates, even for a single parcel.

6. Plan your shipments in advance

Express shipments always cost more. By planning your shipments, you can choose standard delivery times (24/48H) rather than express delivery. Our rates include the free FlexDeliveryServiceFree service allowing the recipient to change the delivery date or location via a custom interface. Zero fees., letting your recipients change the delivery date if needed.

7. Compare before you ship

Do not settle for the first rate you come across. Before each shipment, compare prices between Colissimo, private carriers and negotiated services like AuctionShip. Our price simulator gives you an instant comparison between our rate and the public Colissimo rate.

By applying these 7 tips, you can cut your shipping budget by 30 to 45% per month. The most effective one: use a negotiated service like AuctionShip, especially if you ship regularly.

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📖 Also read:
→ Shipping for auctions: the complete guide
→ Colissimo vs private carrier: comparison 2026
→ Shipping artworks: the complete guide