Calcurates: Accurate Shipping vs Zonos Duty and Taxfor Shopify (2026)
Calcurates: Accurate Shipping and Zonos Duty and Tax both address crucial aspects of shipping for Shopify merchants in 2026, but they cater to fundamentally different needs. Calcurates focuses on providing accurate, customizable shipping rate calculations and advanced shipping rules primarily within domestic markets or markets where the merchant handles duty and tax calculations themselves. It emphasizes control over shipping costs through real-time carrier rates, table rates, and dimensional weight calculations, empowering merchants to optimize shipping for profitability and customer satisfaction. Zonos Duty and Tax, on the other hand, is laser-focused on simplifying international shipping by handling the complexities of duty, tax, and VAT compliance. It guarantees duty and tax collection at checkout, remits VAT, and even covers discrepancies, freeing merchants from the burden of cross-border regulatory headaches. While Calcurates is centered on calculating shipping *rates*, Zonos is centered on calculating *duties and taxes* and simplifying international compliance. The 'not needed' disclaimer related to Canada Post and Australia Post suggests reliance on integrations with their systems, impacting the need for Zonos based on agreements and carrier usage.
At a Glance
Calcurates: Accurate Shipping
61 reviews
Zonos Duty and Tax
152 reviews
Detailed Overview
Calcurates: Accurate Shipping
Get a powerful shipping rates calculator, manage shipping rules and set estimated delivery dates.
Key Features
- Shipping live rates from 10+ major carriers. Connect own carrier accounts.
- Advanced shipping calculator: Table Shipping Rates, Pallet Rates, Rate Shopping
- Shipping rules and restrictions. By postcodes, tags, metafields, distance
- Dimensional shipping rates and packaging rules, volumetric weight calculations
- Estimated delivery dates, duties & taxes, multi-origin shipping, rates by vendor
Zonos Duty and Tax
This app is not needed if you have a Zonos Verified Account with Canada Post or Australia Post.
Key Features
- Zonos pays the duty and tax bill — No need to reconcile or dispute carrier bills
- Zonos remits VAT for you — No need to register for IOSS or obtain a UK VAT ID
- Connect your own carrier accounts for complete control of your shipping rates
- Carrier import fee discounts — Save on advancement fees from UPS, DHL, and FedEx
- Easily create compliant cross-border labels with pre-filled customs paperwork
Feature Comparison
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.8/5 |
Rating Calcurates: Accurate Shipping5/5 Zonos Duty and Tax4.8/5 | ||
| Reviews | 61 | 152 |
Reviews Calcurates: Accurate Shipping61 Zonos Duty and Tax152 | ||
| Core Functionality | Shipping Rate Calculation & Rules | Duty & Tax Calculation & Remittance |
Core Functionality Calcurates: Accurate ShippingShipping Rate Calculation & Rules Zonos Duty and TaxDuty & Tax Calculation & Remittance | ||
| Target Merchant | Merchants needing precise domestic or simple international shipping rates | Merchants heavily involved in international shipping needing duty/tax compliance |
Target Merchant Calcurates: Accurate ShippingMerchants needing precise domestic or simple international shipping rates Zonos Duty and TaxMerchants heavily involved in international shipping needing duty/tax compliance | ||
| Carrier Integrations | 10+ major carriers (UPS, USPS, DHL, FedEx, etc.) - Requires CCS | Compatible with own carrier accounts, discounts on carrier import fees |
Carrier Integrations Calcurates: Accurate Shipping10+ major carriers (UPS, USPS, DHL, FedEx, etc.) - Requires CCS Zonos Duty and TaxCompatible with own carrier accounts, discounts on carrier import fees | ||
| Pricing Model | Not specified, likely tiered based on usage/features | Pay only what you collect (duty/tax); handles discrepancies |
Pricing Model Calcurates: Accurate ShippingNot specified, likely tiered based on usage/features Zonos Duty and TaxPay only what you collect (duty/tax); handles discrepancies | ||
| Shipping Rules | Postcodes, tags, metafields, distance-based rules | Cross-border compliance focused: IOSS, UK VAT, etc. |
Shipping Rules Calcurates: Accurate ShippingPostcodes, tags, metafields, distance-based rules Zonos Duty and TaxCross-border compliance focused: IOSS, UK VAT, etc. | ||
| Ease of Use | Potentially more complex setup due to customization options | Simplified cross-border selling, automated processes |
Ease of Use Calcurates: Accurate ShippingPotentially more complex setup due to customization options Zonos Duty and TaxSimplified cross-border selling, automated processes | ||
| Primary Value Proposition | Accurate shipping rates, cost optimization, and control over shipping | Simplified international compliance, reduced risk of rejected packages & surprise fees |
Primary Value Proposition Calcurates: Accurate ShippingAccurate shipping rates, cost optimization, and control over shipping Zonos Duty and TaxSimplified international compliance, reduced risk of rejected packages & surprise fees | ||
Our Verdict
For merchants primarily focused on domestic sales or with simple international shipping needs where they manage duty and tax separately, Calcurates: Accurate Shipping offers granular control over shipping rates and rules, allowing for cost optimization. However, the requirement for Carrier Calculated Shipping (CCS) is a significant consideration. Merchants who do not need or cannot use CCS will need to look for other options.
For businesses heavily involved in cross-border e-commerce, Zonos Duty and Tax is the clear choice. Its automated duty and tax calculation, VAT remittance, and discrepancy coverage provide invaluable peace of mind and streamline international operations. The higher review count suggests broader adoption, possibly reflecting the complexity and demand surrounding international compliance. Ultimately, the best app depends entirely on the merchant's specific shipping needs and global reach.
Common Questions
Does Calcurates handle international duty and tax?
Calcurates offers a feature for estimated duties & taxes and landed cost calculation, but doesn't explicitly handle remittance. It is up to the merchant to manage and remit these fees.
Can I use both Calcurates and Zonos simultaneously?
It's unlikely that both apps would function harmoniously. Calcurates focuses on shipping rate calculation, while Zonos handles the duty/tax portion of international orders. Depending on the merchant's needs it would likely be one or the other.
Is Carrier Calculated Shipping (CCS) required for Zonos?
Zonos is compatible with your own carrier accounts, so CCS may not be required. Its main function centers around calculating duties and taxes, not shipping rates directly, so CCS may not be a dependency.
What happens if a customer refuses to pay duties calculated by Zonos?
While Zonos guarantees the duty and tax, the merchant will likely need to have a return policy in place for instances where the customer refuses to pay upon delivery. This situation would need to be outlined in the merchant's policies and procedures.
Which app is easier to set up and manage?
Zonos likely has a simpler setup process for cross-border sellers, as it automates complex processes like VAT remittance. Calcurates, with its customizable shipping rules and rate calculations, might require a more hands-on approach, particularly to master.
Get More From Your Shopify Store
Run audits for SEO, CRO, PageSpeed, and AI visibility. Get a clear report and actionable fixes.
Try Fix My Store