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How to Estimate USPS Shipping in Your Craft Business

Filed Under: Shipping & Packaging

One of the emails that I get a lot of through Cutting for Business is: “I just shipping my first package and lost money because shipping was way more expensive than I thought it would be!” Honestly, I hate to hear this because it is completely preventable! The United States Postal Service (USPS) has a shipping cost estimator on their website that you can use to help provide an accurate price quote to your customer. Today, let’s look at where to find it and how to use it.

Where to Find the USPS Postage Price Calculator

Visit https://postcalc.usps.com to access the tool.

How to Use the USPS Postage Price Calculator

  1. Input your zip code, the customer’s zip code, and the date of mailing. (The time isn’t too important.) Then choose whether you will use flat rate mailing boxes or your own box. As a note: Flat rate boxes are great if your item will fit in the box and is heavy, otherwise, choose “Calculate price based on shape and size”. Flat rate boxes are available free through the USPS at this link.How to Estimate USPS Shipping in Your Craft Business - Perfect for Silhouette Cameo or Cricut Explore or Maker small business owners - by cuttingforbusiness.com
  2. On the next screen, enter the weight of your product and choose the type of package. In most cases, you’ll choose ‘Package’ or ‘Large Package’.How to Estimate USPS Shipping in Your Craft Business - Perfect for Silhouette Cameo or Cricut Explore or Maker small business owners - by cuttingforbusiness.com
  3. The USPS Postage Price Calculator will now show you pricing for different mailing services that you can use to quote your customer. The retail price is the price you will pay if you walk into a post office and pay at the counter. The Click-N-Ship price is the price you will pay if you print your shipping label at home using your printer. How to Estimate USPS Shipping in Your Craft Business - Perfect for Silhouette Cameo or Cricut Explore or Maker small business owners - by cuttingforbusiness.comHow to Estimate USPS Shipping in Your Craft Business - Perfect for Silhouette Cameo or Cricut Explore or Maker small business owners - by cuttingforbusiness.com

Tips & Tricks

  • If your package weighs less than 15.99 ounces it can ship First Class Mail but you CANNOT ship using Click-N-Ship from home. If you have a Paypal account, you can ship from home using this ‘secret’ link: www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_ship-now
  • If you ship through a marketplace like Etsy, Ebay, Paypal, or third party shipping sites, you’ll qualify for Commercial Base Pricing which provides discounted shipping. The actual discount is between 5% and 55%, but varies from site to site.
  • Prefer to ship through FedEx or UPS? They both have similar calculators on their websites.

No excuses now for inaccurate shipping quotes to your customers! It takes less than 2 minutes to provide an accurate quote.

Need more shipping help? Check out these posts on Cutting for Business.

Sharing is caring! Why not save this post to Pinterest?

How to Estimate USPS Shipping in Your Craft Business - Perfect for Silhouette Cameo or Cricut Explore or Maker small business owners - by cuttingforbusiness.com

Related Posts

  • How to Ship Packages from HomeHow to Ship Packages from Home
  • USPS Price Increases – January 2018USPS Price Increases – January 2018
  • Shipping Internationally: What You Need to KnowShipping Internationally: What You Need to Know
  • How to Ship Extra Large Wooden SignsHow to Ship Extra Large Wooden Signs
  • Lost Packages in Your Handmade Business: Who is liable buyers or sellers?Lost Packages in Your Handmade Business: Who is liable buyers or sellers?
  • Free Printable: USPS Christmas Holiday Shipping Deadlines 2018Free Printable: USPS Christmas Holiday Shipping Deadlines 2018

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Comments

  1. Amy says

    October 23, 2017 at 9:00 am

    Thank you for that secret paypal page! I always wondered if i could do that even if it wasn’t purchased through paypal.

    Reply
    • Christine says

      October 23, 2017 at 11:24 am

      My pleasure!

      Reply
  2. Carla McCullum says

    October 24, 2017 at 10:44 am

    The secret link is PERFECT!!! I have been trying to figure out how to send first class mail from home to utilize my discount!!!! Thank you so much for posting. Really helpful knowledge Christine!

    Reply
    • Christine says

      October 24, 2017 at 11:11 am

      So glad it was helpful Carla!

      Reply
  3. Cindy Williams says

    January 31, 2018 at 4:29 pm

    Great info as always! I always factor in an additional $2-5 depending on packaging, double bubble wrap, etc..

    Reply
    • Christine says

      February 1, 2018 at 12:49 pm

      Absolutely!

      Reply

Comments on Cutting for Business are moderated before posting. This ensures that this blog does not get overrun by spam or inappropriate comments. Please allow up to 7 days before you'll see your comment. Thanks, Christine

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