Shipping multiple boxes

[brarch61]

I am selling something that requires shipping in 2 boxes. How do I add the weight and size to the shipping cost?

[wastingtime101]

Unfortunately the system does not allow an option for setting up calculated shipping on multi-box shipments. Buyers need to be shown ship cost upfront; you can't invoice for higher shipping after the fact. Some general workarounds we sellers use:

• Use calculated shipping, entering the weight/dimensions of the larger/heavier box. Add a flat handling fee to cover the cost of the second box. If you base that fee on the rate to the furthest zone you can refund any overage to a buyer in a closer zone if you want (or keep it and put it towards packing materials and fees).

• Set up rate tables. With rate tables you'd use a flat ship cost, but can enter different amounts based on zone. Basically, you'd calculate shipping on both boxes, add the rates together and you've got your flat rate - do that for each zone so close buyers aren't overcharged and far away buyers aren't undercharged. https://www.ebay.com/ship/rt/

[mtgraves7984]

If there's a way to put both boxes in one box, you can just enter the 'finished' weight and dims on the label page.

[wastingtime101]

Hi @mark333414 - I saw your post on another thread and was going to reply, but the moderator locked the discussion because it was old. I suggest checking out my post above from a couple days ago. See if that helps resolve your issue, and if not come back with more questions.

[nobody*s_perfect]

My take on that locked thread was that the item has already been sold and paid for, and the question was about generating the package labels. In short, each package should have a label that is based on the weight and dimensions of that specific package, since USPS doesn't know or care that they're all from the same eBay transaction.

[mark333414]

I had 4 items listed in one ad that I was selling separately. A buyer bought all 4 so eBay charged the buyer  for the total weight but only the dimensions of one. Each item is ~18 lbs, 20x10x10. eBay charged for 72 lbs, 20x10x10. The price for shipping one at the original weight/size comes out to be about 1/4 of what he paid total so I'm not too worried about that. I just want to make sure I purchase the labels correctly so that I don't somehow end up paying more than the buyer paid. 
I was told by someone else responding to my question that I should purchase the initial label using the weight and dimensions of one box and then print three more labels doing the same thing. Was that bad advice? I'm still waiting to hear from the buyer if he has any preference on how I ship them so I haven't tried purchasing the labels yet.

[nobody*s_perfect]

Each box should get a label that is based on the weight and dimensions of that specific box.  You might end up paying more than the buyer paid, but there's nothing you can do about that now.  

If you try to combine the items into fewer, larger boxes, you could end up paying more that way, due to USPS calculations for "dimensional weight".  You can try out various box sizes/weights here:

http://www.ebay.com/shp/Calculator

[wastingtime101]

You received accurate advice from @nobody*s_perfect . Each shipping label should reflect the weight and dimensions of the box it's being attached to.

If one box is 20x10x10 / 18 lb , that's what should be on the label for that box.

If the next box is 20x10x10 / 20 lb , that's what should be on the label for that box.

Make sense @mark333414 ?

[mark333414]

Thanks guys, you've both been a great help. Going to print the labels later today. Wish me luck!