DHL shipping cost is $140 more than Shopify Shipping Calculator

[Jaime_Chamberla]

I regularly ship internationally from the US, most of it larger boxes in the 25 pound range and with dimensions around 25 x 19 x 19 inches. Usually these are custom orders where I need to assemble items in advance to provide a shipping estimate.

Usually the Shopify Shipping Calculator is accurate across multiple carriers, so I quote options to buyers for them to select and then charge based on that. Several times recently, though, I've used the Shipping Calculator and when I go to create the actual label the cost is significantly higher.

Most recently, I got a quote that included a rate of $315 through DHL. When I went to create the actual label through Shopify the charge comes back as $460. The UPS rate also goes up a little, but not nearly as much. The buyer prefers DHL, though, and the UPS rate is higher.

I don't see anything in the quote indicating this is a pre-paid VAT / customs charge issue. Am I missing something here?