📦 Shipping

The Shipping Profit Equation

Shipping can make or break your margins. A $5 shipping mistake on every sale adds up to thousands lost annually. Master shipping and you'll consistently beat competitors who don't.

Carrier Comparison

Each carrier has strengths. Using the right one for each package is the key to savings.

Pirate Ship: The Reseller's Secret Weapon

Pirate Ship offers commercial rates to everyone — no monthly fees, no minimums. You get the same rates big businesses pay.

• Cubic pricing: Ships by size, not weight. Game-changer for dense items.
• Simple Rates: Pre-negotiated UPS rates that beat retail by 50%+
• Free: No subscription, no markup. They make money from carriers.
• Compare instantly: Shows all carrier options side-by-side

Flat Rate vs. Calculated Shipping

When Flat Rate Wins

Box Size	USPS Cost	Best For
Small Flat Rate	~$10	Heavy small items (coins, tools, jewelry)
Medium Flat Rate	~$16	3-10 lb items, cross-country
Large Flat Rate	~$22	Heavy items going far, 10+ lbs
Padded Flat Rate	~$10	Books, games, small electronics
Regional Rate A	~$9-12	Local/regional heavy shipments
Regional Rate B	~$10-15	Larger regional shipments

When Calculated Wins

• Light items: Under 1 lb almost always ships cheaper First Class
• Nearby shipments: Zone 1-3 calculated beats flat rate
• Large but light: Pillows, stuffed animals, lightweight clothing
• Ground shipping: UPS/FedEx Ground often beats Priority for 2-5 lbs

Dimensional Weight (DIM Weight)

Carriers charge by actual weight OR dimensional weight — whichever is higher. This catches resellers off guard.

How DIM Weight Works

Formula: (L × W × H) ÷ 139 = DIM weight (for UPS/FedEx)

Example: A 12" × 12" × 12" box:

• DIM weight: 1,728 ÷ 139 = 12.4 lbs
• If actual weight is 3 lbs, you're charged for 12.4 lbs
• That's 4x the cost you expected

Avoiding DIM Weight

1. Use right-sized boxes. Don't ship a phone in a shoebox.
2. Cut down boxes. Score and fold to reduce height.
3. Use poly mailers. No box = no DIM weight concerns.
4. Consider USPS. First Class and Priority don't use DIM weight under certain sizes.
5. Cubic pricing. Pirate Ship's cubic rates ignore DIM weight entirely.

Packaging Best Practices

The 3-Foot Drop Test

Pack every item as if it will be dropped from 3 feet onto concrete. Because it will be. Multiple times.

Packaging by Item Type

Item Type	Packaging Method	Common Mistakes
Clothing	Poly mailer, tissue paper	Using boxes (wastes money)
Shoes	Box in poly mailer or box	Shipping in just shoebox
Electronics	Original box + outer box + padding	Insufficient padding
Glass/Ceramics	Double-box, wrap individually	Items touching each other
Books	Cardboard + poly mailer	No corner protection
Vinyl Records	Record mailer + stiffeners	Regular boxes (warping)
Jewelry	Small box + bubble wrap	Loose in envelope
Posters/Art	Tube or flat mailer with cardboard	Folding what shouldn't fold

Insurance Decisions

When to Insure

• Always: Items over $100 in value
• Consider: Items $50-100 if fragile
• Skip: Items under $50 (self-insure by factoring into margins)

Carrier Insurance vs. Third-Party

Provider	Cost	Claim Process	Best For
USPS	$100 free w/ Priority	Slow (weeks)	Included coverage
UPS/FedEx	$100 included	Moderate	Standard shipments
Shipsurance	~$1 per $100	Fast (days)	High-value items
U-PIC	~$0.55 per $100	Fast	Volume shippers

Shipping Supplies Strategy

Free Supplies

• USPS Priority boxes: Free at post office or order online
• UPS/FedEx supplies: Free for account holders (limited)
• Retailer boxes: Ask stores for empty boxes (liquor stores, Costco)

Worth Buying

• Poly mailers: $0.10-0.25 each, saves on shipping vs. boxes
• Bubble mailers: $0.20-0.40 each for small fragile items
• Packing tape: Buy in bulk, never run out
• Thermal labels: Cheaper than ink, more professional
• Scale: $20-30 investment saves hundreds in overweight fees

Cost-Saving Strategies

The 5-Point Savings System

1. Compare every time. 30 seconds on Pirate Ship can save $5+.
2. Right-size packaging. Smaller box = less DIM weight = cheaper shipping.
3. Schedule pickups. Free from USPS, UPS. Saves gas and time.
4. Buy supplies in bulk. Poly mailers at $0.10 vs. $1 at office stores.
5. Know your zones. Items going nearby should never use flat rate.

Hidden Savings

• Cubic pricing: Dense items ship cheap regardless of weight
• Regional Rate boxes: Between flat rate and calculated — often cheapest
• Media Mail: $3-4 for books, DVDs, video games (slow but cheap)
• First Class International: Small items under 4 oz ship cheap globally
• Combined shipping: Encourage buyers to purchase multiple items

Platform-Specific Tips

eBay

• eBay labels often competitive but not always — check Pirate Ship
• Global Shipping Program handles international (takes a cut but no hassle)
• Offer calculated shipping to avoid losing money on distant buyers

Poshmark

• Prepaid label included — $7.67 up to 5 lbs
• Great deal for heavy items, bad for light items
• Bundle to maximize the flat rate benefit

Mercari

• Offers both prepaid labels and ship-on-your-own
• Compare their label cost to Pirate Ship
• Free shipping listings sell faster but cut your margin

Handling Problems

Lost Packages

1. Wait 7 days past estimated delivery
2. Check tracking for "delivered" (may be misdelivered)
3. File carrier claim with tracking info
4. Communicate with buyer — they'll file too
5. Refund or replace based on your policy and insurance

Damaged Items

1. Have buyer photograph damage immediately
2. Keep all packaging materials
3. File insurance claim with photos
4. Refund buyer (don't wait for claim resolution)

Shipping Workflow

Related Resources

• Shipping Calculator — Compare carrier rates instantly
• Box Size Calculator — Find the right box dimensions
• Military Shipping Guide — APO/FPO/DPO specifics
• Returns Guide — Handle shipping returns professionally
• Photography Guide — Document items before shipping