Understanding Your Total Payment
When you send an item through Use Pouch, your total payment consists of three components:
Item Cost (with buffer)
VariableItem price + shipping & tax buffer (15% for international trips)
Delivery Fee
10% of value or $10/kgFee for the traveler service — 10% of item value or $10 per kg of estimated weight, whichever is higher ($10 minimum, $180 maximum)
Transfer & Settlement Fee
3% of item value (international only)Covers cross-border payout costs for international deliveries
Shipping & Tax Buffer Explained
We add a buffer to cover shipping costs and taxes so travelers aren't out-of-pocket when purchasing your item.
International Trips
Buffer Rate: 15% of item price
Covers customs duties, international shipping, and taxes
Example:
- Item price: $100
- Buffer (15%): $15
- Total item cost: $115
Important: Any unused portion of the buffer is refunded to you after the traveler purchases the item. If the actual costs are lower than estimated, you get money back!
How Delivery Fees Are Calculated
We use a simple percentage-based pricing model that scales fairly with the value of your item:
10% of item value or $10 per kg
Your delivery fee is 10% of your item's price or $10 per kg of its estimated weight — whichever is higher — with a minimum fee of $10 and a maximum cap of $180. Light, valuable items are priced by value; heavy items are priced by the luggage space they use.
Pricing Examples
10% = $1.50, weight = $6 → $10 minimum applied
$10/kg beats 10% → priced by weight
10% of item value
10% of item value
10% = $180+ → $180 maximum applied
Simple Formula
Delivery Fee = max(Item Value × 0.10, Weight × $10)
Minimum: $10 | Maximum: $180
No hidden calculations. Your delivery fee is 10% of your item's value or $10 per kg of its estimated weight — whichever is higher — so travelers are fairly compensated for the luggage space your item uses while costs stay predictable for you.
Transfer & Settlement Fee (International)
For international deliveries, a small transfer & settlement fee is added to cover the costs of cross-border payouts to travelers.
3% of item value
Applied only on international trips. Domestic trips are not charged this fee.
Example:
- Item value: $500
- Settlement fee (3%): $15
This fee is separate from the delivery fee and directly offsets international wire transfer and payment processing costs so travelers receive their full earnings regardless of where they're based.
Minimum and Maximum Fees
Minimum Fee: $10
For light items valued under ~$100, both the 10% calculation and the per-kg calculation can come out below $10. We apply a $10 minimum so deliveries remain economically viable for travelers.
Example:
- Item value: $15 (0.6 kg lotion)
- 10% calculation: $1.50 · weight calculation: $6
- Minimum applied: $10
Why? This ensures travelers are fairly compensated and platform operational costs are covered, even for lower-value items.
Maximum Fee: $180
For items valued over $1,800, the 10% calculation would exceed $180. We cap delivery fees at $180 for buyer protection.
Example:
- Item value: $2,000
- 10% calculation: $200
- Maximum applied: $180
Why have a cap? This protects buyers from excessive charges on high-value items while maintaining our commitment to transparent, fair pricing.
Where Your Delivery Fee Goes
Every delivery fee is distributed to support the ecosystem:
Traveler Compensation
Goes directly to the traveler for their time, effort, and luggage space in delivering your item safely.
Platform & Quality Check
Supports quality inspection at our hub, customer support, payment processing, and security features. Final-mile door delivery is a separate flat fee of 50 GHS.
Example Distribution (for $50 delivery on $500 item):
- Traveler:$42.50 (85%)
- Platform & quality check:$7.50 (15%)
Complete Pricing Examples
Example 1: Mid-Value Item (iPhone) — International
Includes Transfer & Settlement Fee
Traveler earns: $42.50 (85% of delivery fee)
Example 2: High-Value Item (Laptop) — International
Includes Transfer & Settlement Fee
Traveler earns: $102 (85% of delivery fee)
Why Our Pricing Is Transparent
At Use Pouch, we believe in complete pricing transparency because:
- No hidden fees: What you see is what you pay. No surprises at checkout.
- Simple calculations: Just 10% of your item value (or $10 per kg for heavier items) for delivery, plus a 3% settlement fee for international trips. No complex algorithms or hidden formulas.
- Fair distribution: We show exactly how your delivery fee is distributed across the ecosystem.
- Competitive rates: We're 70% cheaper than traditional shipping services like FedEx and DHL.
- Refunds on buffers: Unused shipping & tax buffers are returned to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you charge a shipping & tax buffer?
Travelers purchase your item on your behalf. The buffer ensures they're not out-of-pocket for shipping costs, sales tax, or customs duties. Any unused portion is refunded to you.
What is the Transfer & Settlement Fee?
For international deliveries, we charge a 3% transfer & settlement fee on the item value. This covers the cost of cross-border payouts so travelers receive their full earnings regardless of where they're based. This fee does not apply to domestic trips.
When do I pay?
Payment is processed after a traveler accepts your delivery request. Your payment is held in escrow until delivery is confirmed.
How is the delivery fee determined?
The delivery fee is 10% of your item's value or $10 per kg of its estimated weight, whichever is higher. Once you enter your item details, the fee is automatically calculated and won't change (minimum $10, maximum $180).
Questions About Pricing?
We're here to help! If you have any questions about how our pricing works, reach out to our team.
Email: celeste@usepouch.com