Shipping costs can make or break your reselling margins. The difference between choosing the right carrier and the wrong one on a single package can be $3-10 — and when you ship hundreds of packages a month, that adds up to thousands of dollars in lost or saved profit.
This guide breaks down every major shipping option for resellers with real 2026 rates, showing you the cheapest carrier for every package size and weight.
The Quick Answer: Which Carrier Wins?
Here's the TL;DR before we dive into details:
| Package Type | Cheapest Option | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1 lb (clothing, cards) | USPS First Class / Pirate Ship | $3.50-5.50 |
| 1-5 lbs (shoes, small electronics) | USPS Priority Mail Cubic / Pirate Ship | $7-12 |
| 5-20 lbs (consoles, heavy items) | UPS Ground / FedEx Ground via Pirate Ship | $10-18 |
| 20+ lbs (furniture, heavy lots) | UPS Ground / FedEx Ground | $15-30+ |
| Flat rate (uniform items) | USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate | $9.85-22.45 |
USPS: The Reseller's Best Friend
USPS is the default choice for most resellers, and for good reason. They offer the cheapest rates for packages under 5 lbs, free packaging for Priority Mail, and the most convenient drop-off options.
USPS First Class Package Service
- Weight limit: Up to 15.99 oz
- Delivery time: 2-5 business days
- Cost: $3.50-5.50 (varies by weight and distance)
- Best for: Trading cards, clothing items, small accessories, phone cases
- Tracking: Included
This is the cheapest option for lightweight items. If your item weighs under a pound, always default to First Class. Through Pirate Ship, you'll get Commercial Plus rates that are even cheaper than what eBay offers.
USPS Priority Mail
- Weight limit: Up to 70 lbs
- Delivery time: 1-3 business days
- Cost: $8-15+ (varies by weight, size, and distance)
- Best for: 1-5 lb packages, anything time-sensitive
- Bonuses: Free packaging materials, $100 insurance included, free Saturday delivery
USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate
Flat Rate boxes ship for one price regardless of weight or destination within the US:
| Box | Dimensions | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Flat Rate Box | 8.625" × 5.375" × 1.625" | $9.85 | Trading cards, small items, coins |
| Medium Flat Rate Box | 11" × 8.5" × 5.5" | $16.10 | Shoes, electronics, multiple items |
| Large Flat Rate Box | 12" × 12" × 5.5" | $22.45 | Heavy items, multiple shoe pairs |
| Padded Flat Rate Envelope | 12.5" × 9.5" | $9.65 | Clothing, thin items, documents |
Pro tip: The Padded Flat Rate Envelope is the secret weapon for clothing resellers. You can fit a folded t-shirt, jeans, or light jacket in there for under $10 to anywhere in the US.
USPS Priority Mail Cubic
This is the hidden gem that most resellers don't know about. Cubic pricing is based on the package dimensions (not weight) and is available through third-party platforms like Pirate Ship. For dense, small items (shoes, electronics), this can be 30-50% cheaper than regular Priority Mail.
- Weight limit: Up to 20 lbs
- Size limit: 0.5 cubic feet max
- Cost: $7-10 for most shoe-sized packages
- Available through: Pirate Ship, Stamps.com, eBay (varies)
USPS Ground Advantage
- Weight limit: Up to 70 lbs
- Delivery time: 2-5 business days
- Cost: $5-10+ (replaces the old First Class over 1 lb and Parcel Select)
- Best for: 1-3 lb packages where speed isn't critical
UPS: Best for Heavy Packages
UPS becomes competitive for packages over 5 lbs, especially for ground shipping to distant zones. Through Pirate Ship, you get negotiated UPS rates that are significantly cheaper than retail.
UPS Ground
- Weight limit: Up to 150 lbs
- Delivery time: 1-5 business days (depending on distance)
- Cost: $10-25+ (via Pirate Ship discounted rates)
- Best for: Packages over 5 lbs, gaming consoles, heavy electronics, bundled orders
Important: Never ship UPS at retail counter rates. Always use a discount platform. The difference between retail and discounted UPS rates can be 40-60%.
UPS SurePost
A hybrid service where UPS handles long-distance transport and USPS delivers the last mile. Often 20-30% cheaper than UPS Ground for lighter packages (1-10 lbs). Available through eBay and some third-party platforms.
FedEx: Competitive for Certain Sizes
FedEx Ground / Home Delivery
- Weight limit: Up to 150 lbs
- Delivery time: 1-5 business days
- Cost: Similar to UPS Ground (sometimes cheaper for certain zones)
- Best for: Heavy packages, especially through Pirate Ship or eBay's integrated rates
FedEx SmartPost
Similar to UPS SurePost — FedEx handles transport, USPS delivers. Can be very cost-effective for 2-10 lb packages. Available through eBay.
Pirate Ship: The Reseller's Secret Weapon
Pirate Ship is a free shipping platform that gives you access to Commercial Plus USPS rates and deeply discounted UPS rates. No monthly fees, no markups, no minimum volumes. You pay exactly the carrier's discounted rate.
Why every reseller should use Pirate Ship:
- USPS Commercial Plus rates: 10-20% cheaper than what you'd pay at the post office or through most platforms
- UPS discounted rates: 40-60% off retail UPS pricing
- Cubic rate access: The cheapest way to ship dense, small packages
- Simple Rate: Pirate Ship's own flat-rate-style option, sometimes cheaper than USPS Flat Rate
- Free: No subscription, no per-label fees
Platform-Specific Shipping: eBay, Whatnot, Poshmark
eBay Shipping
eBay offers integrated shipping labels at Commercial rates. These are good but not always the cheapest — compare with Pirate Ship for each package.
- Free shipping vs calculated: Items priced over $30 generally sell better with free shipping (factor the cost into your price). Under $30, use calculated shipping.
- eBay shipping discounts: eBay negotiates competitive USPS/UPS/FedEx rates. Check the eBay label cost vs. Pirate Ship for each shipment.
- Global Shipping Program: eBay handles international logistics — ship to their Kentucky hub domestically, they handle the rest. Takes 10-15% of international sale price but eliminates all customs headaches.
Whatnot Shipping
Whatnot offers integrated shipping labels. Bundling is key on Whatnot — multiple items to one buyer ship in one package, dramatically reducing per-item shipping costs. See our Whatnot shipping guide for the complete strategy.
Poshmark Shipping
Poshmark provides a prepaid label with every sale: $7.67 for packages up to 5 lbs (USPS Priority Mail). This is actually a great deal for heavier items but expensive for sub-1-lb items. Some sellers avoid listing lightweight items on Poshmark because of this.
Mercari Shipping
Mercari offers prepaid labels or you can ship on your own. Their rates are competitive for lightweight items but check against Pirate Ship for anything over 1 lb.
Shipping Supplies: Where to Get Them Free or Cheap
Free Supplies
- USPS Priority Mail boxes and envelopes: Order free from usps.com/store or pick up at any post office. Unlimited quantity.
- USPS shipping tape: Also free with Priority Mail supply orders
- UPS shipping supplies: Limited free supplies through ups.com
Cheap Supplies
- Poly mailers: $15-25 for 100 on Amazon. Best for clothing.
- Bubble mailers: $20-30 for 50 on Amazon. Good for small electronics, trading cards.
- Boxes: Check local stores (grocery, liquor stores give away boxes for free). Or buy in bulk: $25-40 for 25 from Uline or Amazon.
- Packing paper/bubble wrap: $15-20 for a large roll. Essential for electronics and fragile items.
Real Cost Comparison: Common Reseller Packages
Here's what you'd actually pay to ship common reseller items using the cheapest method:
| Item | Weight | Best Method | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-shirt in poly mailer | 8 oz | USPS First Class | $3.80-4.50 |
| Pair of sneakers in box | 3 lbs | USPS Priority Cubic via Pirate Ship | $8-10 |
| Trading cards (small lot) | 6 oz | USPS First Class | $3.50-4.00 |
| iPhone in bubble mailer | 12 oz | USPS First Class | $4.50-5.50 |
| PS5 console in box | 12 lbs | UPS Ground via Pirate Ship | $13-18 |
| Designer bag in box | 4 lbs | USPS Priority Cubic via Pirate Ship | $9-12 |
| Lego set (large) | 8 lbs | UPS Ground via Pirate Ship | $11-15 |
| Vintage jacket in poly mailer | 1.5 lbs | USPS Ground Advantage | $5.50-7.50 |
| Coin lot in Small Flat Rate | 2 lbs | USPS Small Flat Rate Box | $9.85 |
7 Tips to Reduce Shipping Costs
- Always weigh and measure: A $15 kitchen scale and a measuring tape save hundreds per year in overpaying for shipping.
- Use Pirate Ship for everything: Compare USPS, UPS, and Cubic rates on every package. Pirate Ship shows you the cheapest option automatically.
- Use poly mailers when possible: Boxes create dimensional weight charges. If the item isn't fragile, a poly mailer keeps it lightweight and cheap.
- Bundle Whatnot orders: Combine multiple items for one buyer into a single shipment. This is where BundleLive's bundle tracking helps you manage multi-item orders.
- Reuse packaging: Save boxes from your own purchases. Flip inside-out and retape. Amazon, Walmart, and subscription boxes are perfect for reuse.
- Know when Flat Rate wins: Flat Rate boxes win when the item is heavy and small. A 5 lb package going cross-country is cheaper as Medium Flat Rate ($16.10) than regular Priority Mail.
- Factor shipping into pricing: Use our fee calculator to compare your take-home across platforms including shipping costs. Sometimes the "lower fee" platform costs more after shipping.
The Bottom Line
The cheapest shipping option depends on weight, dimensions, and distance. There's no single carrier that wins every time. But here's the simple rule:
- Under 1 lb: USPS First Class via Pirate Ship. Always.
- 1-5 lbs: USPS Priority Cubic via Pirate Ship (or Priority Mail Flat Rate if it fits).
- 5+ lbs: Compare UPS Ground and USPS Priority on Pirate Ship. UPS usually wins for cross-country.
Get a scale, get Pirate Ship (it's free), and compare rates on every package. Shipping efficiency compounds — $3 saved per package × 200 packages/month = $600/month back in your pocket.