Shipping costs got you down? Here are four shipping methods to save money on shipping. I save $1,200 annually for my reselling business using these little-known methods, and I want to show you how!
These are four shipping methods you may not have heard of before. But they have the potential to save you big money if you sell on any e-commerce platforms such as:
- eBay
- Mercari
- Etsy
- or your own website
(Affiliate link disclosure: this post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Affiliates, that I make a small percentage from at no cost to you to help keep this blog running.)
Before We Start, A Little About Reselling…
And speaking of reselling, did you know there are countless “resellers” who make a living (even full-time income) from reselling pre-owned, used items?
While I’m not a full-time seller (I am a stay-at-home mom), I have been able to make a steady, reliable income from reselling (mostly) clothes. Just last year I was able to make almost $20,000 from flipping thrift store items for profit during naptime. Reseller Bootcamp
If reselling online sounds like something you would be interested in, you’re in luck! I’ve put together a FREE 5-Day Course called “Reseller Bootcamp.”
You can sign up and get the course delivered straight to your inbox! In it you’ll learn:
- What kinds of items you can flip.
- The best places to sell to maximize your profits.
- 6 keys to taking professional-looking photos.
- The 5 components to get your items sold.
- How to turn flipping into a steady and reliable income.
Four Shipping Methods To Save Money
Back to saving money on shipping!
A couple of hints when it comes to shipping:
- USPS First Class (for less than 16 ounces, shipped at the commercial rate) will always be the cheapest method. The methods below are the cheapest for anything that needs to go Priority (over 1 pound).
- Be sure to use a high-quality packing tape. I prefer name-brand, heavy-duty tape. I use packing tape at the edges of envelopes as well.
- If you are shipping clothes or other soft items, it’s best to package in a polymailer before inserting into a box or envelope. Doing so can save you money as the item may be able to fit into a smaller box or envelope than without a polymailer.
- If you are interested in the EXACT supplies I use when shipping, they are listed here in Reseller Supplies I Use.
- You may also be interested in: 9 Places To Get Free Or Cheap Shipping Supplies
So here we go! Here are four shipping methods to save you money!
1. USPS Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes
About
Regional rate boxes are not widely known. Like other flat rate boxes, these are FREE from USPS!
Where to Get Them
You likely won’t find them at your local post office. You will need to place an order online. They will ship free to you in as little as 10 boxes.
Size & Weight
The Type A’s are just a smidge smaller than the Priority Medium Flat Rate Box. The Type B boxes are a bit smaller than Priority Large Flat Rate.
The maximum weight is:
- Box A: 15 lbs domestic; 10 lbs international
- Box B: 20lbs domestic and international
Cost
The shipping cost varies depending on where the item is going. It is a bit confusing as it is zone based. But the good news is it isn’t necessary to understand the calculations.
The bottom line is: regional rate is ALWAYS cheaper than the standard (medium/large) flat rate boxes.
Typical Items I Ship
I typically use only the Box A. Items I ship in Regional Rate Box A’s are usually coats, thick vests, and shoes. Around 99 times out of 100 I will use the flat side-loading version (the A2) as the box can expand to hold more than the top-loading version (the A1).
Here’s a few other things to know about Priority Regional Rate Boxes:
- Postage must be purchased online (not available in store)
- Tracking number included
- $50 of insurance is included
Cost Savings Example:
The cost savings varies greatly based on the location you are shipping to. The higher the zone number, the higher the cost.
Here’s an example for an item going to Zone 5:
Priority Medium Flat Rate Cost: $12.80
Priority Regional Rate Box A: $8.76
Cost Savings: $4.04
I don’t use these too often, maybe only 3 a month. Even so, that is a $12.12 monthly savings. Or $145.44 in one year.
2. USPS Priority Flat Rate Envelopes
About
This is my number one go to shipping method for items over one pound.
I used to use padded flat rate. Then I realized, “Why pay for padding when I am providing the padding (clothing).”
If you are shipping clothing or other non-breakable items, this may be an option for you as well.
Where to Get Them
These envelopes are available in most post offices. Or they can be ordered from the USPS store online (quantity 1 to 600!).
If you search the USPS Postal Store for these, just type in EP14F. There are several variations of EP14 envelopes. Make sure you order the ones that end in “F”.
If you want 20, just be sure to select “Quantity 2” for a pack of 10, or you will end up with 200!
Size & Weight
The Priority Flate Rate Envelope measures 12 1/2″ x 9 /12″. It is comparable in size to the Priority Padded Flate Rate Envelope.
The maximum weight is:
- Domestic: Originally 70 lbs, now no limit is specified on the envelope
- International: 4 lbs
Cost
These have a flat cost no matter how much it weighs or how far it is going. Runs about $0.60 cheaper (depending on who you are shipping through) than the padded version.
Typical Items I Ship
Jeans, hoodies, vests. It is surprising how much you can squeeze into these little guys. I always make sure to put a little tape at the top, but I’ve never had an issue shipping like this.
Here’s a few other things to know about Priority Flat Rate Envelopes:
- Postage available online or in store
- Tracking number included
- $50 of insurance is included
Cost Savings Example:
Since (unpadded) flat rate envelopes are very similar in size to their padded versions, this cost example will compare the two:
Priority Padded Flat Rate Envelope: $7.55
Priority (Unpadded) Flat Rate Envelope: $6.95
Cost Savings: $0.60
Sixty cents doesn’t seem like a lot. However, if you ship a lot, the cost savings adds up pretty quickly. For example, I ship about 50 items a month in (unpadded) flat rate envelopes. That’s a $30 a month savings, or $360 in one year!
3. USPS Priority Legal Flat Rate Envelopes
About
Wait? Isn’t this the same as the last one? Looks almost identical!
But no, it is just a bit longer. Legal size is 2 1/2″ longer that a regular flat rate envelope to be exact.
Two inches may not sound like much, but this envelope has saved me more than a time or two. When I can’t get an item to fit in the regular flat rate, I go to this one.
Where to Get Them
I haven’t seen these in my local post office. However, they can be shipped FREE to you from the USPS Postal Store online.
If you search the USPS Postal Store for these, just type in EP14L. Again, there are several variations of EP14 envelopes. Just make sure you order the ones that end in “L”.
Same as with regular flat rate envelopes: if you want 20, just be sure to select “Quantity 2” for a pack of 10, or you will end up with 200!
Size & Weight
The dimensions for the legal size is 15″ x 9 1/2″.
The maximum weight is:
- Domestic: Originally 70 lbs, now no limit is specified on the envelope
- International: 4 lbs
Cost
Depending on who you ship through, these cost only about $0.25 more than the regular size!
Typical Items I Ship
Very large jeans, flannel lined jeans, large sweaters/hoodies. Again, use a bit of tape to secure just in case.
Here’s a few other things to know about Priority Legal Flat Rate Envelopes:
- Postage available online or in store
- Tracking number included
- $50 of insurance is included
Cost Savings Example
If I couldn’t fit something in the flat rate envelope (and I didn’t know about Regional Rate Boxes) the next size up is a Priority Medium Flat Rate Box. So for this example, I will compare the cost difference between a Priority Medium Flat Rate Box and the Legal Envelope.
Priority Medium Flat Rate Box: $12.80
Priorty Legal Flat Rate Envelope: $7.25
Cost Savings: $5.55
I ship about 10 items a month in Legal Envelopes. That adds up to $55.50 savings in one month. Or $666 in one year!
4. USPS Priority Cubic Rate
About
Priority Cubic is a shipping method available to only very high volume shippers (50,000+ packages/year).
Not a high volume shipper? Pirate Ship to the rescue! Pirate Ship is that high volume shipper and they pass the savings on to you.
The best part is Pirate Ship is FREE!
Where
Go to PirateShip.com to create your FREE account.
(I get nothing from this. Just want to pass along some savings!)
Once in Pirate Ship, you can import order from eBay. When you purchase your label, it will even automatically update in eBay with the tracking number and a status of “shipped.” You won’t have to manually mark as “shipped” in eBay.
Size & Weight
Priority Cubic accommodates various sizes and weights.
Cost
Priority Cubic pricing is based on volume, not weight, and where your item is headed. I find that Priority Cubic is a cheaper alternative than Medium Flat Rate Boxes.
You can read more about Priority Cubic and pricing here.
Typical Items I Ship
Anything you would normally put in a Medium Flat Rate Box, but is too big for a Regional Rate Box is a good candidate for Priority Cubic. Items I’ve shipped with this method include large coats and hard goods.
Here’s a few other things to know about Priority Regional Rate Boxes:
- Postage must be purchased online through Pirate Ship
- Tracking number included
- $100 of insurance is included
Cost Savings Example:
The cost savings varies.
Here are some typical costs savings I’ve seen:
Priority Medium Flat Rate Cost: $12.80
Priority Regional Rate Box A: $8.92
Cost Savings: $3.88
Even at 2 packages a month that is a $7.76 monthly savings. Or $93.12 in one year.
Total Yearly Cost Savings
Adding it all up, here is what I save in a year using these under utilized shipping methods to save money:
USPS Regional Rate Boxes: $145.44
USPS Priority Flat Rate Envelopes: $360
USPS Priority Legal Flat Rate Envelopes: $666
USPS Priority Cubic: $93.12
TOTAL SAVINGS: $1264.56
Over $1,200! Now that’s a good chunk of change if you ask me!
What do you think of these 4 shipping methods to save money? Have you tried any of them?
What ways do you save on shipping? What would you do with an extra $1,200 in your pocket?
-Lee
Wondering what types of items you can sell? Check out my Top Sales Here.
Wondering how much you can make reselling easy-to-find clothes? I share my actual profits with you here!
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