[PSA] You can save time and money by shipping via USPS directly through Paypal. Here's how. (x-post /r/SkincareExchange)

Hi, all! I hope this type of post is welcome here - I don't see anything explicit in the sidebar, but I don't want to step on any toes. I've done a lottttt of trading lately due to my new-found addiction to skincare, and I've noticed that several of the people I've traded with are either new to shipping things or end up paying way more than they have to. I hope this is helpful!

Unfortunately, this will only apply if you live in the US, but I'd totally recommend that we all share shipping tips from wherever we are so we can all get the best deals possible!

All you need in order to pay for and print labels directly through Paypal is a Paypal account, a printer, and a scale (I just use my kitchen scale!). It is cheaper than shipping at the post office and includes a tracking number.

#The How-To

1. First, get everything packaged and ready to go. Use bubble mailers/poly mailers instead of boxes whenever you can. The weight of the box adds to the price of the shipping! You can buy bubble mailers at most common stores (Walmart, Dollar Tree, Big Lots, etc), but I'd recommend buying in bulk someplace like Amazon if you do a lot of shipping. That said, please don't skimp when you really shouldn't! If your item is fragile, package it safely in a box - you owe that to the person paying you for it.

   • You can get Priority Mail Flat Rate shipping supplies for free from USPS. This includes several sizes of envelopes and boxes. Just keep in mind that these can only be used if you purchase the appropriate flat-rate shipping labels. If you are not shipping Priority, you must purchase your own packaging supplies.

2. From your Paypal homepage, click "more" next to "Transactions" to show details of your transactions.

3. If the transaction was sent as a Payment instead of as Friends and Family, there will be an option that says "Print Shipping Label." Clicking this will take you to a page where all you have to do is enter the details of your package. If, however, the payment was sent via Friends and Family, this option does not appear. Instead, use this link to open up the same page. You will simply have to add the recipient's details manually before proceeding to shipping details.

4. If the package is less than 13 oz, choose "First-Class Mail Parcel" as your service type, then enter the weight in oz. (Make sure you weigh everything after packaging!) This is the lowest-cost option for your purposes. Shipping via this method takes 2-5 business days.

   • If your package weighs MORE than 13 oz, you'll have to choose "Priority Mail," which is more expensive but only takes 2-3 business days. There will usually be a "use your own box" option, which varies depending on the weight of your items, but if your items are heavy, you're better off using Flat Rate Boxes, which you can obtain from the post office.

5. To mail your package, just pay for/print your label, attach it to your box/envelope, and drop it off at the post office or in a USPS collection box! (Edit: As u/aflowerysong has pointed out, you can drop off your package anywhere that offers USPS services! This includes certain UPS stores, Home Depot, etc. - check stores around your area to confirm.)

#The Cost to Ship via First Class Mail

• 1 - 3 oz = $1.93
• 4 oz = $2.01
• 5 oz = $2.09
• 6 oz = $2.25
• 7 oz = $2.42
• 8 oz = $2.59
• 9 oz = $2.76
• 10 oz = $2.93
• 11oz = $3.11
• 12 oz = $3.29
• 13 oz = $3.47

#The Cost to Ship via Priority Mail

• Small Flat Rate Box (5-3/8" x 8-5/8" x 1-5/8) = $5.25
• Flat Rate Envelope (12-1/2" x 9-1/2") = $5.05 (Edit: This is NOT the padded version. Thanks u/fateenfareehah for pointing out this discrepancy)
• Medium Flat Rate Box (11" x 8-1/2" x 5-1/2 or 13-5/8" x 11-7/8" x 3-3/8") = $11.30
• Large Flat Rate Box (23-11/16" x 11-3/4" x 3" or 12 1/4" x 12 1/4" x 6") = $15.80
• Your own box/envelope = varies by weight

#Other things:

• If, for whatever reason, you do not have a Paypal account or do not wish to ship through Paypal, you can also print Priority Mail labels online from the USPS website for the same discounted rate as through Paypal. There is also a wider variety of Flat Rate options on the USPS website if small/medium/large flat rate boxes or envelopes won't work for your purposes. In some cases, you can even use a larger "Regional Rate" box for significantly less than the comparably sized flat rate boxes, depending on the locations of you/your buyer. You cannot print First Class through USPS.com, though.

##And that's it!

If you have any questions or additions, please feel free to ask or comment! I will update whenever I think of something else, as I'm sure some things have slipped through the cracks in this post.