LitBuy Shipping Lines Explained
Picking the right shipping line for your country and budget.
When you check out a LitBuy haul, you are presented with 8–15 different shipping lines, each with different speeds, prices and customs reliability. Pick wrong and you pay double, or your package sits in customs for three weeks. This guide breaks down each shipping line type, when to use which, and the specific lines worth using per destination country.
Air vs sea — the basic decision
Air freight: 5–20 days, $8–18 per kg, low risk of damage, all package sizes. Sea freight: 30–60 days, $2–5 per kg, higher risk of damage on fragile goods, only economical above 10 kg. Choose air for any haul under 10 kg. Choose sea for furniture, large electronics or bulk fashion (20+ items).
Standard air vs express air
Standard air (10–20 days, $10–14/kg): default choice, good balance of speed and cost. Express air (5–10 days, $14–18/kg): pay $40–80 more for a 7-day delivery instead of 14-day. Worth it for time-sensitive items (fits for an event), not worth it for general restocking. Avoid 'super express' (3–5 days, $20+/kg) unless you really need it within the week.
Tax-friendly lines
Some lines are specifically designed to avoid customs scrutiny in particular countries. UK Line B (under £18 declarations clear smoothly), US Tax-Free Line (consistently approves under $700), EU-PostNL (lower flag rate than DHL Express). These lines are usually slower (15–25 days) but cost the same as standard. Use them whenever your declaration is under your country's threshold.
Sea freight lines
Sea freight is split into LCL (less than container load, what you almost certainly want) and FCL (full container load, business-scale only). LCL takes 35–60 days, costs $2–5/kg or $50–80 per CBM. Worth it only if your haul is over 10–15 kg or includes bulky low-density items (puffer jackets, shoes, bags). Customs handling is the same as air — declared value still determines tax.
Per-country recommendations
US: US Air LDT (standard), US Tax-Free Line (under $700 declarations). UK: UK-Yodel (standard), UK Line B (under £18 declarations). Germany/EU: EU-PostNL (standard), EU-DHL eCommerce (slightly faster). Canada: CA-Yanwen (cheapest available), CA-Sunyou. Australia: AU-Special Line (standard), AU-DHL eCommerce (faster). The LitBuy Spreadsheet links to a customs calculator that estimates tax per line per country.
FAQ
Why are some shipping lines cheaper for the same speed?
Two reasons. First, some lines do not include insurance — if the package is lost, you eat the cost. Second, some lines have less reliable customs handling — they get held more often, leading to delays. Always check whether a line includes insurance and whether it has a 'sensitive goods' surcharge (electronics, batteries, liquids).
Can I split shipping across multiple lines?
Yes — useful if your haul has both fragile items (need air) and bulk fashion (could go sea). Split-ship at the LitBuy warehouse: items on one declaration go via line A, others via line B. Costs slightly more in handling fees but can save money overall.
What happens if my package is lost in shipping?
If the line includes insurance (most do), file a claim through the LitBuy platform. Refund processing takes 14–30 days. If the line does not include insurance (cheapest options), you have no recourse — the package is gone. Always check insurance coverage before picking the cheapest line.
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