The rates of a courier service are not simply a flat fee, but are instead calculated on every individual order with a complicated formula that the courier will plug several different numbers into in order to arrive at your final rate. A Los Angeles courier service will use these numbers, most notably the freight class and the distance that you are shipping, to find the first part of your rate. Then they add on any surcharges, taxes, or fees that the order requires in order for them to find the final price.
Keep in mind that different courier companies will charge different prices, and calculate their prices differently. This doesn't just mean that couriers from different cities will have different rates, but even within the same city. This is a product of the competition in the industry, and the pricing is just one of many ploys that a company may undergo to try and lure customers away from the competition.
The distance that your package is being shipped might be the most straightforward number in the rate formula, but companies can use this differently. Some companies will have a zone pricing system on the distance that you are shipping, while others might use
a per mile rate, which can differ greatly from company to company.
The freight rate is usually a formula that is common amongst all courier companies. This is where they use the weight and size of your package to come up with a "freight rate" which is like a code describing your shipment. This can be adjusted by anything unusual about your package that might adjust how it has to be packed, loaded, or shipped. This number will be used with the distance rate to come up with your basic price.
The final amount that is going to affect your shipping rate is the surcharges and fees that your courier company may add on to your shipment. These charges can come for a variety of different reasons. First of all, if fuel prices are particularly high at any given time, they may charge a fuel surcharge on your shipment. Next, if you are shipping during a holiday, they may have to add a fee on in order to cover the added salary required for their employees during the holidays. There can also be taxes and duties that you have to pay on your shipments, especially if you have to ship something internationally.
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