USPS Shipping Tips

I've recently been doing quite a few trades and sales online and I often get asked by members of my forums how to go about shipping items.  I've included some tips here for your reference.  Please comment below if there is anything that should be added!

Shipping Containers

Bubble mailers/padded envelopes: These are good for small shipments that need a little extra protection.  The downside is that they are kind of expensive.  Usually $1-2 each if you buy them individually, but still $0.50 to $1.00 each if you buy in bulk.  They may also add to the weight of your item (and subsequently the shipping cost).

Poly Mailers: These are perfect for shipping clothes or other non-breakable items.  They are super cheap (100 10x13 poly mailers for about $8.50) and weigh so little, it shouldn't add to your shipping cost.

Priority Mail boxes: These are free online or at USPS locations.  They can only be used for Priority Mail shipping.  They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Follow the link to shop on the USPS page.

Flat Rate boxes: These are also free online or at USPS locations.  They can only be used at the Flat Rate price.  Depending on where you are shipping from/to, the tipping point for a medium flat rate box being a better value is between 4-7 pounds.  

Plain or Re-purposed boxes: I get several monthly subscription boxes that are excellent quality and the perfect size for shipping trades.  I frequently reuse these boxes to ship. Just be sure to fully remove any previous shipping labels and barcodes!

Estimating Weights

Post Office: The most obvious is to head to the post office and have them weigh it for you. Many locations have self service kiosks now too. You can weigh your items, pay and print your labels without having to go up to the counter.

Amazon Weights: If you are just the occasional shipper and plan to print your own label at home, or just want an idea what the cost will be (often if you're trying to determine if you should go Priority or Flat Rate), a nice trick is to use the Amazon shipping weights as a guide.  Under the Product Details section of most items, there will be specifics of the product dimensions and weight.  

Kitchen Scale:  If you already own one, they typically work great for getting close on the shipping weight

Postal Scale: Frequent shippers may want to invest in a postal scale.  They don't have to be expensive.  Here's one for about $15 that gets pretty good reviews.  It goes up to 25 pounds and has a sensitivity of 0.1 oz for an accurate ship weight every time.

Important Note: If you are not "officially" weighing your package at the post office, take care to get an accurate weight or round up if you are printing mailing labels at home.  Your recipient will be charged the difference if you are short!  Booo!

Shipping Types

The three most common ways you may ship are Standard Post, Priority Mail, and Flat Rate.  Standard Post is the least expensive and will arrive in 2-8 days.  Priority Mail is 1-3 days and includes tracking information and $50 merchandise insurance.  Flat Rate is best for shipping heavy items and also includes tracking and $50 merchandise insurance.  

Standard Post

Features: Used for gifts and general merchandise, Standard Post shipments may also contain books and other printed matter weighing 70 pounds or less. The maximum size is 130 inches in combined length plus girth (distance around the thickest part). Tracking is available for Standard Post shipments. Extra Services, such as Insurance, can be purchased for an additional fee.

Calculate a shipping price: http://postcalc.usps.com/

Priority Mail

Priority Mail is used for documents, gifts, merchandise, and any mailable item weighing 70 pounds or less. The maximum size is 108 inches or less in combined length plus girth (distance around the thickest part). Mark each package "Priority Mail" in the postage area when you are not using USPS produced Priority Mail envelope or box.

Features: Priority Mail service offers 1 day, 2 day, or 3 day service to most domestic destinations. Priority Mail envelopes and boxes are available at many Post Offices and can be ordered online at USPS.com/store. This 1-3 day service includes tracking and merchandise insurance up to $50. Additional merchandise insurance up to $5,000 may be purchased for a fee.

Calculate a shipping price: http://postcalc.usps.com/

Flat Rate Shipping

Features: Priority Mail Flat Rate service offers 1 day, 2 day, or 3 day service to most domestic destinations. Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes are available at many Post Offices and can be ordered online at USPS.com/store. This 1-3 day service includes tracking and merchandise insurance up to $50. Additional merchandise insurance up to $5,000 may be purchased for a fee.

• Small- $5.80  (8-5/8" x 5-3/8" x 1-5/8")
• Medium- $12.35 (13-5/8" x 11-7/8" x 3-3/8" OR 11" x 8-1/2" x 5-1/2")  
• Large - $16.85 (23-11/16" x 11-3/4" x 3" OR 12" x 12" x 5-1/2")  
• Large to APO/FPO/DPO - $14.85

Print Shipping Labels at Home

• You can print Priority Mail label with postage from Click-N-Ship at usps.com and may receive a lower postage price than paid at the retail counter. Print labels online from USPS (save up to 16%): https://cns.usps.com/go
• Request free package pickup at: http://www.usps.com/pickup
• PayPal also has a shipping tool you can utilize to get a reduced rate. There is a great tutorial to get you started: PayPal Shipping Tutorial

I hope this helps get you started. Happy shipping!