Etsy's Handmade Blog
Shipping How-to: the Final Frontier
Story by dancingcircle
Published on May 16, 2008 in How-To 		Photo by flawka

Hey Sellers!

A big shout-out to Dancingcircle who saw a hole in our Beginner's Guide and ended up filling it in. Shipping is so important for our Etsy sellers and she's made a great contribution to making it easier.  If you have ideas for useful how-tos to help your fellow sellers, post in the comments below or use our pitch form.

Most Etsy sellers know all about how to get your precious packages from here to there. 

Wait. You don’t?  Well, welcome to the ever changing world of shipping! It's not always glamorous, but is vital to your online reputation. Here’s a crash course for new sellers or anyone who needs a refresher.
 
Be Prepared – Create a mini shipping center:
•    Invest in a postal scale — You will probably need to weigh packages in order to determine and compare shipping rates.

•    Have a flexible tape measure handy —  Many carriers use what’s called “dimensional weight” and charge by box size instead of weight.

•    Decide what packaging you will use and stockpile supplies  —

  • Some examples might include:  bubble wrap, tissue paper, foam or packing peanuts. 
  • Keep in mind that thousands of pieces of mail go through a variety of delivery systems each day.  Pack your parcel securely to insure safe delivery. 
  • If you know you’ll be sending boxes regularly it might pay off to invest in a sturdy tape gun and a package of clear, postal grade packing tape.
  • Whether you plan to buy boxes, order free ones online from USPS.com or use a form of recycled packaging — be prepared. Don’t wait until the pickup time before you start hunting around for a box.

•    Is your item fragile?  You might want to affix an alert/warning label to your box.

•    Assemble promotional items such as business cards, thank you notes or care tip sheets you intend to send with your package.

Ok – so now you’re ready to prepare a professional package destined to make it around the world safely. 


But how much will it cost and what should you charge your customer?
 •    Do your homework and research at least 2 or 3 carriers.  Based on price and time in transit, determine which carriers might work out best for your special items.  Spend some time playing with shipping calculators: enter random zip codes near and far with different sized boxes and weights.

•    It’s easy to set up your own account through USPS, UPS or FedEx by visiting their websites.  Make sure you clearly understand each carrier’s shipping timeframes, if they include delivery confirmation, and where you will need to drop off packages or how to schedule a pick up.  Don’t forget to check out their claims or lost package policies.

•    Many sellers save time and money by purchasing and printing shipping labels at home online via PayPal or individual carriers’ websites.  You will need to buy labels to use with your printer or have packing tape on hand to securely affix labels to your packages.  Do not tape over bar codes!

• If you ship very often, you maybe be eligible for discounts through UPS, FedEx, and DHL.

•  Shipping companies usually increase rates about once a year.  Pay close attention to service updates and announcements.  Reputable carriers advise customers at least a month or so in advance of important changes and you’ll need that time to update your listings to reflect higher shipping fees.

So now you’ve got a pretty good idea of what it will cost to send your package from here to there and how long it will take. 
It’s time to set up your Etsy shipping profile. Etsy now offers a specific Policy page where you can lay out all of this information (read the Hello Policy article for more suggestions).

Explain your shipping policies clearly and be sure to let potential customers know:

•    How often or quickly you ship

•    What carrier (or carriers) you use

•    Whether delivery confirmation and/or insurance is offered or included

•    About how long it will take to receive their purchases

•    Whether you offer any “rush” or “overnight” services – especially around the holidays

•    Do not select the “everywhere else” option unless you’re confident you can ship your items “anywhere” for the rate you’ve indicated. Don’t get caught in an embarrassing predicament where you end up paying more for shipping than proceeds from the total sale!

Do you plan to ship internationally?
• If so, consider offering service to just a few countries to start with until you’re comfortable with procedures.   Various countries prohibit certain items and you are responsible for researching import restrictions. The USPS website is an excellent source for detailed restrictions. 

• Pay close attention to customs forms.  You may need a telephone number for the recipient.  Do not check the box indicating “gift” when sending purchased goods through customs. Shipping internationally gets pretty easy with a bit of experience and it’s fun.

Finally – Get to know your mail or delivery person
The old saying “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” can really help when you’re navigating the often bewildering world of shipping.    Most people love to talk about themselves and their work.  A little friendliness can go a long way toward learning the tricks of the trade!

See more tips and tricks for shipping!

Tags dancingcircle, HOW-TO, policy, Seller Handbook, selling, shipping
All articles in How-To
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40 comments     Login to add your own!

May 16, 2008 at 7:11 p.m. SarahLynneDesigns

A thought on taping over bar codes:
I print out my postage Via paypal which comes with a tracking number. I was frustrated because my bar codes were hardly ever scanned and I could not track the shipment. I asked my friendly postage carrier what i could do to help, and he said to tape over the bar codes! All this time I had been taking extra time and care NOT to, he said that they can get wet and smudged and then won't scan, and that the reflection from the tape over the bar code really doesn't matter. Now I always tape over my codes and almost always find them scanned in. (I also write "scan please" next to the label)

May 16, 2008 at 7:29 p.m. pollyannacowgirlbags

thanks! i didn't know you could order free priority boxes online; my post office is always out of the good ones. :)

May 16, 2008 at 7:31 p.m. quirkybags

Great article. Thebeadingtree has saved me more than once with her supplies and advice!

May 17, 2008 at 1:24 a.m. seealso

great start! i'd love to see more general info for sellers outside the u.s.

May 17, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. littleprojects

If you accept payment through paypal, use their shipping calculator and you get ebay shipping rates, which are lower than if you go to the post office yourself.

May 17, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. Dreamwoven

a tip:

in your listings, state how much the item weighs, how you are going ship (and whether or not insurance is included) and place the link to the USPS.com website. This way, buyers can also check and know exactly what something costs.

with all the talk of sellers inflating their shipping costs, it is important for a buyer to be able to research it themselves, as well.

May 17, 2008 at 7:01 p.m. katinkapinka

this is a great, informative article. thanks!

May 17, 2008 at 8:45 p.m. shelovesfabric

Great information! I would also like to see more information for sellers outside the US. Predicting shipping costs is the hardest part of selling for me!

May 17, 2008 at 9:23 p.m. Dalya

Yay for thebeadingtree!!

Awesome info <3!

May 17, 2008 at 10:21 p.m. swallownest

I'd forgotten about free boxes from USPS. I live in a small town and the post office
is close by. Also, I'd didn't realize Pay Pal offered those services. It was worth reading the article.

May 18, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. dogdaisy92

Can someone from the UK write a similar article please?

May 18, 2008 at 1:39 p.m. jessiemccann

Lots of good information especially for newbies like me. Thanks!

May 18, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. joannetracydesigns

FYI, I think the free shipping boxes from USPS are only if you're shipping Priority Mail. From what I've read on the forums, some people have run into trouble using the free boxes for other purposes, even including people who recycle used USPS boxes by covering them with brown paper.

May 18, 2008 at 2:35 p.m. dancingcircle

joanne-yes, that is correct - the free boxes available from USPS are intended for priority service only - it's technically a violation to use them for any other purpose. Please see USPS.com for guidelines.

May 18, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. Vanessa

A UK, or other international version is a great idea. Do we have any volunteers? Send me a convo!

May 18, 2008 at 11:01 p.m. vintagebutterfly94

I get all my packing supplies from a local gift and book store...all the bubble wrap and air pillows would just be thrown away. If you know somebody who works at any retail store, you can ask them to save that stuff for you...which is great for the environment too.

I pack my boxes to survive a 4 foot drop. I'm pretty sure the PO takes a big red FRAGILE as a kind of challenge!

May 19, 2008 at 1:24 p.m. UntangleGallery

Thanks for having this info available! I just started my online business! I had my first sell today and spent a lot of time searching my house for packaging materials. I think I did o.k but I forgot to put the receipt in the box.

I am going to make a shipping station in my home office!

May 22, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. CricketsCreations

Here are some tips I included in the photos of my scarves being prepared for international transport (see more info and pics at http://www.flickr.com/cricketscreatio...

Super Important: Shipping is less expensive and seems to be quicker if an envelope is used instead of a box, so I use an envelope whenever possible. If a scarf is embellished with fabric flowers that I don't want crushed, I use a box instead of an envelope.

Important: I address the envelope before putting anything inside--it's easier to write on a flat surface!

Also important: a ballpoint pen will hold up better to water damage due to rain than a felt pen or marker will.

Celeste (Crickets)

May 22, 2008 at 5:58 p.m. EnchantingBeautiful

Flat rates are a great way to save money to customers. I use first class for smaller items.
Great info thanks ;)!

May 23, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. CelticCrossing

Great info here. I'm always looking for ways to improve and give better service to the buyers. Thanks!

May 27, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. GigglingGnome

Don't forget to recycle packaging whenever possible!

June 12, 2008 at 6:30 a.m. ThePeachTree

What would we do without Etsy How-To's :)

June 27, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. SilvernGlass

I use USPS because they provide free Priority Mail boxes in all sizes. I am a fused glass artist so I don't ever need to buy shipping supplies because when I order glass the shipment I receive is packed with bubble wrap, peanuts, etc. A nice little perk. I use Stamps.com and print all of my postage and labels at home. It's a great feature, you just enter the buyers address and the form is filled out automatically. If it's a repeat buy, all I have to do is type in the first letter and the software remembers all the rest and does it for me. I prefer shipping by Priority Mail, nice sturdy boxes, and it does arrive faster than 1st. class. I give a combined shipping rate so the buyer only has to pay $3.50 for Priority Mail..I absorb the rest. It's a nice discount for buyers. Another nice thing about printing your own labels and postage, you don't have to stand in line at the P.O., just walk in and lay the box on the counter, and say Thank You. It does get me some dirty looks from some of those standing in line though. :)

Sept. 25, 2008 at 1:49 a.m. rulala

What are some ideas on shipping shoes?

Sept. 28, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. MonasMane

Thanks for the info, I'm learning so much by reading this articles!

Oct. 13, 2008 at 5:56 p.m. WozArtStudio

Thanks for the info. Heading to the Post Office to look for those free boxes!

Nov. 10, 2008 at 3:06 p.m. MadeInMuskoka

I'm not sure about the States but in Canada it costs almost twice a much to ship a package across country than it does in the same province. I find it kinda frustrating to put an amount on so that it doesn't scare away the local people and I don't loose money on sending out farther away. Is the amount that's written on the "shipping costs" the final amount or do some of you tell the purchaser that it costs a little more than what was quoted on the site. That probably wouldn't be the best way to do business but I was wondering how one goes about charging a fair shipping price?

Nov. 24, 2008 at 11:30 p.m. smilingbluedog

Thankyou for the wonderful information!!!
Very much appreciated.

Jan. 1, 2009 at 9:01 p.m. starletvintage

Thanks for some great info. I'm wondering how most of you ship clothing...are large bubble envelopes acceptable, or should items be boxed ?

Jan. 28, 2009 at 4:29 a.m. janenatron

I am still quite confused how sellers calculate the additional cost when an extra item is added??!!

Feb. 1, 2009 at 4:11 p.m. rockyoutosleep

Thanks for info and tips. I'm on my way!

March 11, 2009 at 2:37 p.m. craffftylady

Thank you for the info. I think I better understand shipping now??

March 14, 2009 at 4:49 a.m. TwilightTreasures

Great tips. Thank you. ;)

June 15, 2009 at 3:21 p.m. rmcotton

Fabulous Insight on Shipping. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this article and share your valuable information. Thanks to the other tips offered by everyone else! Super Helpful!

July 25, 2009 at 2:51 p.m. crochetedwithlove

Lots of great info here. In my "Shipping" information I tell the customer that I reimburse for any overcharge of shipping and do not add to the charge if I've undercharged.
I'm still confused about calculating shipping when the charge is different if shipped alone or shipped with another item. Let's say shipped alone is $5.00 and shipped with another item is $3.00. If 2 items are ordered the cost would be $6.00 right? or would it be $8.00? I sure hope someone can answer this. Thanks!

July 30, 2009 at 8:01 p.m. Lilena

I am indebted to etsy support for directing me to this article and the helpful comments. Great information for a new seller and I couldn't find it anywhere else.

Sept. 2, 2009 at 10:45 a.m. punkineddys

I'm super new at this coming over from ebay. So far I think etsy is a pretty cool place! However, I understand that etsy doesn't yet have a way for customers to determine their own specific calculated cost for shipping. But, why is it that I have to put a generic shipping cost into the shipping box on my listings? Does anyone know if there is just a way to leave it blank so that I can put in the USPS link into my description with box dimensions and weight? Then the customer can do it themselves, or inquire to me for a quote specific to their area. I feel like I surely must be missing something! HELP!!!

Sept. 21, 2009 at 2:32 p.m. catibug

Thank you i need all the help i can get ...

Oct. 17, 2009 at 5:22 p.m. DivaChicBoutique

Just trying to get "set up"! Thax 4 all the info...

Oct. 27, 2009 at 5:52 p.m. Stoneberri

Shipping is definitely something we could all use more information about. My big hang up is international shipping. I have seen other sellers ship internationally without charging much more than $3-$5. I checked into it with UK as my destination and the charge was $14. I wouldn't buy anything if I had to pay $14 shipping! How do you all do it? Absorb the cost yourself? I am talking about shipping jewelry too....not very heavy.

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