07-10-2024 11:46 PM
Hello,
If I use EBay shipping and ship something priority do I use the USPS priority boxes?
Is there a charge for printing a Ebay label other then the shipping charge?
Thank you for taking the time to answer my question
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07-11-2024 03:43 AM - edited 07-11-2024 03:46 AM
@theo2112 wrote:Hello,
If I use EBay shipping and ship something priority do I use the USPS priority boxes?
Yes you can. Boxes are FREE and can be ordered directly from USPS or picked up at your local USPS. YMMV on selection per location. If you ship flat rate, you must use those boxes designated for that service without modifying the boxes at all. If you ship priority without using a flat rate, there are non flat rate boxes available in various sizes that allow you to modify the boxes. (cut smaller). You can ONLY use priority boxes for priority shipping. You can ONLY modify USPS Priority boxes that are NOT Flat Rate Priority boxes. You can NOT use Priority boxes for packing material or double boxing. Again these supplies are FREE but understand how to use them.
Is there a charge for printing a Ebay label other then the shipping charge?
All labels used/printed from Ebay will give you shipping discounts that can save you money and of course you will have to pay for the shipping label but there is No additional cost. Again you will receive a discount on the rate if you use Ebay labels. Also the tracking will update on your sale so will not have to upload the tracking number to each listing.
Of course there may be ways to ship items using different methods and carriers but this address's your specific question about USPS Priority Mail.
-Good luck
Below is a link to USPS Free boxes. Again you can order these boxes/envelopes to be shipped to your home which only takes days to get. Your post office generally carries many of them if you need quickly. YMMV
Link to USPS Free Priority Boxes
07-11-2024 01:25 AM - edited 07-11-2024 01:27 AM
If you ship using weight/dimension based Priority service on the label then it doesn't matter if you use a (non-flat rate) Priority box or a plain brown box.
If you ship with a Priority flat rate service on the label then you must use the equivalent Priority flat rate box or envelope.
If you ship in a Priority flat rate box or envelope then you must select the equivalent flat rate service when buying the label.
If you plan to use a plain brown box then you may find Ground Advantage rates are more competitive than Priority rates. You cannot downgrade service though. If you plan to ship Ground Advantage that has to be offered in your listing. If the only service offered in your listing is Priority then you have to ship using Priority service.
There is no cost to buy the label through eBay other than the actual cost of the label. If you make a mistake on the label (like entering the wrong weight, dimensions or service), you will be charged a cost adjustment by the carrier through eBay after the carrier physically processes your package.
Make sure you enter correct weight and dimensions when you set up the listing because that information will determine how much the buyer pays for shipping when you use calculated shipping.
Verify the weight and dimensions are correct before you print the label.
07-11-2024 03:43 AM - edited 07-11-2024 03:46 AM
@theo2112 wrote:Hello,
If I use EBay shipping and ship something priority do I use the USPS priority boxes?
Yes you can. Boxes are FREE and can be ordered directly from USPS or picked up at your local USPS. YMMV on selection per location. If you ship flat rate, you must use those boxes designated for that service without modifying the boxes at all. If you ship priority without using a flat rate, there are non flat rate boxes available in various sizes that allow you to modify the boxes. (cut smaller). You can ONLY use priority boxes for priority shipping. You can ONLY modify USPS Priority boxes that are NOT Flat Rate Priority boxes. You can NOT use Priority boxes for packing material or double boxing. Again these supplies are FREE but understand how to use them.
Is there a charge for printing a Ebay label other then the shipping charge?
All labels used/printed from Ebay will give you shipping discounts that can save you money and of course you will have to pay for the shipping label but there is No additional cost. Again you will receive a discount on the rate if you use Ebay labels. Also the tracking will update on your sale so will not have to upload the tracking number to each listing.
Of course there may be ways to ship items using different methods and carriers but this address's your specific question about USPS Priority Mail.
-Good luck
Below is a link to USPS Free boxes. Again you can order these boxes/envelopes to be shipped to your home which only takes days to get. Your post office generally carries many of them if you need quickly. YMMV
Link to USPS Free Priority Boxes
07-11-2024 04:41 AM
You do not have to use the free Priority Mail boxes. They are handy, but there's a limited range of sizes.
There is no fee for purchasing a postage label through eBay; you only pay for the postage, which costs less than what you'd pay at the Post Office counter (except Media Mail, whch is the same).
07-11-2024 05:00 AM
Thank you for the great detailed explanation.
I truly appreciate it!
07-11-2024 05:02 AM
Thank you again for taking the time to reply to my question and for the great advice!
07-11-2024 05:04 AM
Thank you for taking the time and explaining it to me!
07-11-2024 06:16 AM
Adding to what others have previously stated:
Never use a USPS Priority box for other shipping methods (USPS Media, USPS Ground Advantage, etc) -- the USPS Priority boxes are intended ONLY for USPS Priority, and can NOT be used for other shipping services.
USPS may tag those packages for "insufficient postage" and "postage due" -- which will not make your customer happy. Or the package will be returned to YOU, for the same reasons -- and you will have to pay ALL the additional unpaid charges in order to get your package returned.
Also -- do not use USPS Priority boxes (and envelopes) for internal packaging for your other shipments. Yes, the boxes are PERFECT to ship other items; but it is a violation of USPS Regulations to use USPS shipping materials for items other than they were originally intended.
07-14-2024 08:15 PM
Thank you!
07-18-2024 08:46 PM
Thank you so much!
07-18-2024 09:09 PM - edited 07-19-2024 03:50 PM
To be noted
most of the USPS Priority boxes are "thin".
If not "flat rate" , which has been explained require a "flat rate" box , and "flat rate" label it is often better to use your own corrugated box that will be sturdier if shipping something that needs a "good" box to make the trip.
Sometimes I reinforce Priority boxes with some corrugated of or some rigid foam inside to provide support.
07-19-2024 08:33 AM
Thank you for taking the time to answer my question!