empty space in boxes

[thefashionforless]

would resizing my boxes make a difference in the cost of a label? Say i have a lot of empty space and I get rid of it, but the weight is the same, will the price decrease? thanks. 

[ripcityresell]

Only if it takes you out of dimensional weight rate into regular weight rate.

[disneyshopper]

Only if shipping a box that exceeds 1728 cubic inches (12x12x12) going to zones 5-8 via priority.

[dippitydoo]

Well, it depends....if you could get your stuff in a 12X12X12 square box, or any other shape, as long as the biggest side is 12" or less...that is the best price rate...after that it is based on a combination of size plus weight, leaning towards weight...so that reducing the box, but keeping the same weight, may not reduce the shipping...but it could if it just so happens to put you in the next down size specifications.  It's all very complex!!  Give it a shot and see what happens!

[7606dennis]

You should only use appropriate size boxes for the items you are shipping.  They should be of a size that allows for the safety of the item while it is in transit.  Voids in the packing space usually are to be avoided since they are detrimental to the safety of the item being shipped.

Of course, as you already surmised, using boxes that are larger than needed can significantly increase the cost of shipping.

[nobody*s_perfect]

When shipping via USPS, there are 3 potential size-based surcharges:

1.  As mentioned in the other post, if your package is over 1 cubic foot (1728 cubic inches) then there is a "dimensional weight" if you ship via Priority Mail to Zones 5 - 9.

2. If the length-plus-girth of a package is over 84 inches, you are charged the "balloon rate" which is the 20-pound rate. This applies to all Parcel Select shipping, and to Priority Mail going to Zones 1 - 4.

3. If the length-plus-girth is over 108 inches, then there is a separate "Oversize" rate.

The boxes for those fancy shoes could be over 1 cubic foot, especially if you double-box them.  But for Zones 1 - 4, the postage for Parcel Select Ground is the same as for Priority Mail even if they're over 1 cubic foot.  If you set up calculated shipping rather than charging a flat rate, you could offer both Priority and Parcel Select, so that closer buyers could choose Priority.

[robot-hands]

Sometimes I can shave enough weight out of a box by cutting it down or changing the padding to bring it under the previous pound weight I had it at.

Sometimes the effort you have to put it is not worth the savings.