Well, as I might have found a solution for a minor problem to start selling some laptop bags in Europe, and the solution would be to send the bags from a Shipwire warehouse in the US with USPS to the customers in Europe. But for this to be a solution I would have to know how USPS calculate the weight of the parcels. In Norway, the weight is calculated from the volume of the package (w*l*d, wich make it too exspensive to send the bags to Europe. But I can't seem to find out how USPS calculate the weight. Do they simply use the physical weight of the parcel? Or do they calculate it the same way as the Norwegian Postal Service?

Here's a link to the USPS International postage calculator:
http://ircalc.usps.gov/
Seems like shipment to Europe is based mostly on weight, but the exact size can come into play in terms of what services you can use for that size.
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Joe Kyle
--jjkd--

Yes, that is one of the websites I've checked out. When you set it to ship to a European country, you only put in the weight. But in the domestic US you'll have to fill out both the weight and the size. So this would indicate they only use the physical weight.
As for the size of the boxes used, it's 18x18x8, which is well inside the accepted size, and with a weight at 5 lbs. So the price will mainly be approx. 38$, which would be acceptable for most people I've spoken to.
But I would like to be completely sure regarding this matter. So far this could look like it's the best solution.

I don't know if you can get a "international flat-rate box" but domestic flat rate boxes are like $10 for up to 50 lbs. :agree:

I believe that USPS uses the package weight, but has width/height/depth limitations that determine what kind of classification the package is -- I think that is how they handle the pricing.
-mike

eplebiten, im 27 years old and i've only received a few things in my life other then letters through the USPS. They are very expensive and bloated since they are a government ran company. Have you not looked at your other options such as UPS? I know DHL is cutting back what it does so im not sure what they offer now.
Im sure UPS or another shipper could give you better deals on shipping.

Thanks for all the answers, and you have proved what I thought would be correct. The boxes will be 18*18*8 and weighs (bag and box), so they should be well inside the limitations.
Woods01: Well, I have been in contact with both FedEx and UPS, and they will both cost a lot more than USPS. With both of these the freight cost is a lot more than with USPS, so the cost for my potential customers would be way too high. So even though USPS is not a privately owned company, this doesn't have to mean they're uneffeciant and costly. The main problem with freight cost is because of the size of the boxes. Even though they don't weigh too much, the size of the box makes the cost too high.