Logistics charges are usually calculated from inputs such as weight or size, delivery zone and a rate slab defined in your agreement. To review them, recalculate each charge from those inputs using the terms that applied on the order date, then investigate orders where the charged amount differs from your recalculation.
Know what drives the charge
Most logistics fees depend on a few inputs: the weight or dimensions the marketplace recorded, the delivery zone, the service type and the slab or rate card in your agreement. A wrong input, such as an incorrect weight, can repeat across thousands of orders.
Recalculate from your terms
- Load the rate card and slabs that were effective on the order date.
- Use your catalogue weights and dimensions as the reference.
- Recalculate the expected charge per order.
- Compare with the charged amount, component by component.
Look for patterns, not just outliers
Group differences by SKU, by zone and by period. A single SKU that is always charged one slab higher points to a recorded weight issue. A sudden change across all SKUs on a date may reflect a rate-card change you need to confirm.
Build the case
For each pattern, keep the order rows, your catalogue weight evidence, the applicable rate card and the recalculation. MarketplaceMetrics records these settings alongside discrepancies so the basis is visible to whoever reviews the case.
Worked example
Illustrative example only. A SKU weighs 450 g in your catalogue. Under illustrative terms, items up to 500 g fall in slab A and items up to 1 kg in slab B. If orders are charged at slab B, each carries a difference equal to the gap between the two slab rates. The rates themselves come from your agreement.
Questions and answers
Why would a marketplace charge the wrong shipping slab?
Common causes include a recorded weight or size that differs from the catalogue, a zone mapping issue or a rate card applied from the wrong date. Recalculating from inputs shows which one applies.
Do I need the marketplace's rate card to check logistics fees?
Yes. Use the rate card and slabs in your agreement for the order date. Without them you can spot patterns but cannot calculate the expected amount.
Can logistics differences be recovered?
Some can, depending on the marketplace's dispute process and your terms. A detected difference is a lead; recovery is only confirmed when the marketplace accepts and settles it.