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Cheapest Shipping for Etsy Sellers

Affordable shipping for handmade and vintage sellers

Bottom Line
Etsy sellers keep more of their profit by shipping handmade and vintage items for less.
Shipping costs can eat into the already tight margins on handmade goods. I'd Ship That gives Etsy sellers access to deeply discounted USPS, FedEx, and UPS rates so you can offer competitive shipping without sacrificing your earnings.

How Shipping Works on Etsy

Etsy provides built-in shipping labels primarily through USPS, available directly in the seller dashboard when an order comes in. Most Etsy sellers purchase labels from the Orders page, which auto-fills the buyer's address. Etsy offers discounted USPS rates, but the discount varies by service and package size. Many small Etsy shops don't realize they could save more by comparing rates across multiple carriers, especially for heavier or oddly-shaped handmade items that don't fit neatly into standard USPS pricing tiers.

Common Shipping Frustrations

Etsy's built-in labels are limited mainly to USPS, missing potentially cheaper FedEx and UPS options
Handmade and vintage items often have irregular shapes that make standard shipping rates expensive
Shipping costs cut deeply into margins on lower-priced handmade goods
Offering free shipping to boost Etsy search ranking is costly without discounted labels

Recommended Shipping Services

ServiceBest ForEst. CostSpeed
USPS Ground AdvantageTop Pick Jewelry, stickers, small crafts, and lightweight items under 1 lb $3-5 2-5 days
USPS Priority Mail Fragile handmade items that benefit from faster, more careful handling $7-12 1-3 days
USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Heavier items like ceramics or candles that fit in flat rate boxes $8-16 1-3 days
FedEx Ground Larger items like wall art, furniture pieces, or bulk orders $8-15 3-7 days
UPS Ground Heavy or oversized handmade items that exceed USPS weight limits $9-16 3-7 days

How to Use I'd Ship That for Etsy

When an Etsy order comes in, copy the buyer's shipping address from your Etsy Orders page. Open I'd Ship That on your phone or computer, enter the destination address along with your package weight and dimensions, and compare rates across USPS, FedEx, and UPS. Select the best rate for your item, purchase the label, and print it. Attach it to your package and drop it off at the nearest carrier location or schedule a pickup.

Pro Tips for Etsy Sellers

  • Weigh your finished products with packaging before listing so you can set accurate shipping prices
  • For lightweight items like jewelry or stickers, USPS Ground Advantage often costs under $4
  • Use flat rate boxes for heavy-but-small items like candles or ceramics to keep costs predictable
  • Factor discounted shipping costs into your free shipping price to boost your Etsy search visibility

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use I'd Ship That instead of Etsy's built-in labels?

Absolutely. Copy the buyer's address from your Etsy order, compare rates on I'd Ship That, and purchase your label. Enter the tracking number back into Etsy so your buyer gets updates. Many sellers save $1-4 per package this way.

What about Etsy's shipping discount?

Etsy offers discounted USPS rates, but those discounts are limited to USPS and may not always be the cheapest option. I'd Ship That gives you access to discounted rates across USPS, FedEx, and UPS so you can pick the absolute lowest price for each package.

Is this good for shipping fragile handmade items?

Yes. You can choose services like USPS Priority Mail or FedEx Ground that offer better handling for fragile items. Having access to multiple carriers means you can pick the right balance of cost, speed, and care for delicate handmade goods.

Do I need a monthly subscription to use I'd Ship That?

No. There are no monthly fees, no minimums, and no contracts. You only pay for the labels you buy, and those rates are already discounted up to 89% off retail postage prices.

Ship Etsy Orders for Less

Get discounted rates on USPS, FedEx, and UPS. No monthly fees, no minimums.

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