Shipping On Your Own? Some Shipping Tips

If you are shipping on your own, here are some tips from someone who used to (and still sort of does) sell on eBay:

• You can get discounted rates for UPS and USPS by using Paypal's Shipping Link and printing off the label at home. This would require you to know what dimensions and weight your package is.

#1. Shipping Something Light (0 oz to 13 oz) [15.9 oz if you have Paypal]

• Almost nothing beats USPS First Class mail in this weight range

• Maximum package length and girth cannot be larger than 108 inches. (This link has diagrams that show what length and girth mean in a package.)

#2. SHIPPING EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS? (BOOKS, CDs, DVDs, etc.)

• USPS Media Mail is the way to go.
• Maximum weight of 70 lbs.

#3. SHIPPING SOMETHING 1lb+ but it's large (bigger than 12"x12"x6")?

• This one gets tricky. You should compare USPS Priority Mail, FedEx Ground or SmartPost and UPS Ground for your specific package. The lowest rate depends on the distance you're sending it.
• All links above are quick links to each services' shipping calculators.

#4. Shipping something 1lb-70lb and it's kind of small?

• For 2lb-15lb packages and short distances, USPS Regional Rate Boxes are great and the boxes are free (but must be ordered online).
• For 15lb-70lb packages and a long distance, USPS Flat Rate Boxes are 1 price, no matter where you're shipping to.
• For heavy and short distance or light and long distance, refer to the shipping calculators found in #3.

Please feel free to leave feedback on shipping methods in the comments below.