Shipping Guide for Resellers: Save Money on Every Package
Learn how to ship items profitably. Compare USPS, UPS, and FedEx rates. Get tips for packaging, labels, and reducing shipping costs.
Complete Shipping Guide for Resellers
Shipping costs eat into profits. This guide helps you choose the cheapest options and package items safely.
Carrier Comparison
USPS (United States Postal Service)
Best for: Lightweight items under 1 lb
| Service | Weight | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| First Class | Up to 13 oz | $3.50-$5.00 |
| Priority Mail | Up to 70 lbs | $8.00-$15.00+ |
| Media Mail | Books/media only | $3.00-$6.00 |
Pros: Cheapest for light items, free supplies, Sunday delivery
FedEx
Best for: Medium-heavy items, fast delivery
| Service | Delivery | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Ground | 1-5 days | $8.00-$15.00 |
| Home Delivery | 1-5 days | $9.00-$16.00 |
| Express | 1-2 days | $20.00+ |
Pros: Good for 3-20 lb range, reliable tracking
UPS
Best for: Heavy items over 5 lbs
| Service | Delivery | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ground | 1-5 days | Best for heavy items |
| SurePost | 2-7 days | Cheaper, slower |
Pros: Best rates for heavy packages, no size limits
Platform Shipping Labels
Many platforms offer discounted shipping:
| Platform | Carrier | Discount |
|---|---|---|
| eBay | USPS/FedEx/UPS | Up to 72% off |
| Poshmark | USPS Priority | Free label ($7.97 to buyer) |
| Mercari | USPS/FedEx | Discounted rates |
Always use platform labels when available - they include tracking and seller protection.
Packaging Supplies
What You Need
- Poly mailers - $0.10-0.30 each (clothing, soft goods)
- Boxes - Free from USPS or save from deliveries
- Bubble mailers - $0.30-0.50 (small fragile items)
- Packing tape - $3-5 per roll
- Tissue paper - Protects and looks professional
Free Supplies
- USPS Priority Mail boxes and envelopes (order at usps.com)
- Saved boxes from Amazon, etc.
- Newspaper for padding (but use tissue for clothing)
Reducing Shipping Costs
1. Weigh Everything
A kitchen scale ($10-20) saves money. Overestimating weight = overpaying.
2. Use the Right Box Size
Dimensional weight pricing means oversized boxes cost more. Use the smallest box that fits.
3. Offer Free Shipping Strategically
- Build shipping into price
- Use flat rate when advantageous
- Combine with calculated shipping
4. Ship Same Day When Possible
- Faster shipping = better reviews
- eBay rewards fast shippers
- Poshmark tracks ship times
Shipping Fragile Items
- Wrap item in bubble wrap
- Use 2+ inches of padding on all sides
- Mark package “FRAGILE”
- Consider insurance for $50+ items
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Underestimating shipping costs ❌ Using boxes that are too big ❌ Not including tracking ❌ Shipping without insurance on expensive items ❌ Forgetting to factor shipping into pricing
Calculate Total Profit
Remember: your profit is sale price minus fees AND shipping.
Use our calculators to factor in platform fees, then subtract your shipping cost for true profit.
Ready to calculate your profit?
See exactly how much you'll make on any platform.