Why Is Delivery Pricing Rounded Up to 1 Kilogram?

We often hear this question from customers: "Why does my 150-gram envelope cost the same as a shipment that's almost 1 kilogram?" Let's clear up this confusion with a few examples — starting with everyday situations, then comparing it to companies like iPost and Tez-Tez, which typically calculate price by the gram. Let's start with a taxi example Think of an intercity taxi: the driver charges the same fare whether the passenger is light or considerably heavier. Why? Because the car covers the same distance for every passenger, uses roughly the same amount of fuel, and takes about the same time to reach the destination — the passenger's weight barely affects the fare they pay. Our service works the same way: our courier delivers a 150-gram envelope and a 1-kilogram box in the same vehicle, along the same route, spending the same amount of time. Fuel, time, and courier effort are nearly identical for both. Now let's explain it using airline baggage allowance Think of the baggage allowance included in your ticket — say, the right to carry up to 20 kg is built into the ticket price. Whether your bag weighs 5 kg or 19 kg, the ticket price doesn't change. Slightly off-topic, but an interesting fact: a passenger's own body weight is never factored into the ticket price. For instance, while a 70 kg passenger is having a serious argument with airport staff over the extra fee for their 20+1 kg bag (combined weight: 70+21=91 kg), another passenger weighing 150 kg boards the same flight with a 20 kg bag without any issue at all (combined weight: 150+20=170 kg). Comparing with courier companies delivering from China Many of our customers, when ordering from China (via Pinduoduo, Temu, Taobao), have gotten used to courier companies pricing strictly by weight — down to the gram. That's why EMU's "flat rate for the first kilogram" system might seem more expensive at first glance. But the pricing logic of these two types of companies differs for specific reasons. Companies delivering shipments from China typically charge an undifferentiated rate of around $6 per kilogram (meaning every additional kilogram costs the same $6). EMU, on the other hand, charges 25,000–35,000 UZS (about $2–3) for the first kilogram, depending on the region, and a noticeably cheaper 6,000–8,000 UZS (about $0.5–0.6) for every additional kilogram. Two different companies, two different business models This difference in pricing actually comes down to who each company's typical customer is: The main customers of China-based courier companies usually order in bulk — several kilograms at a time. So they'd pay $6 for a 1 kg shipment, and $30 (5 × $6) for a 5 kg one. Even though these companies also charge by the gram for smaller shipments, it doesn't meaningfully hurt their overall revenue. Most of EMU Express's shipments within Uzbekistan, by contrast, are small — just a few hundred grams. But just like with a larger shipment, delivering a small one still requires one courier, one vehicle, and the same amount of time. Psychologically speaking, a customer who receives a small, gram-priced shipment via a China-based courier — or who sends a larger shipment through EMU — usually feels like they're getting much better value for their money. In essence, each company employs a pricing strategy that aligns with its specific customer base — one primarily designed for heavy shipments, the other for a high volume of smaller parcels. Both approaches are valid, as they cater to distinct market demands. Furthermore, it's worth noting that international courier giants such as DHL and FedEx, whose business models are akin to EMU Express's, also implement a comparable 'flat rate for the first half-kilogram or first kilogram' policy. We hope these examples and this comparison have helped explain just how reasonable and fair EMU Express's pricing really is. Speed and reliability matter most to us. We consider it our top responsibility to deliver your shipments to their destination quickly and intact. Your feedback matters to us If you still have questions or suggestions about our rates or pricing, leave a comment or reach out to our operators. We're always ready to listen! Umidjon Akhunjonov - Marketing and Sales Specialist