Shipping Calculator
💡 Quick Tip
Enter package weight and buyer's zip to estimate costs. Use this for quick sourcing decisions, then confirm exact rates in PirateShip before shipping.
📚 Shipping Knowledge Base
📍 What Are Shipping Zones?
Zones = Distance from YOU. Carriers divide the country into zones based on how far a package travels from your ZIP code.
Zone 3-4: Regional (500-1000 miles) - Moderate
Zone 5-6: Cross-country (1000-1500 miles) - Expensive
Zone 7-8: Coast to coast - Most Expensive
Pro Tip: If you're in the middle of the country (Texas, Kansas, Missouri), you pay LESS on average because you're closer to both coasts.
🚚 USPS vs UPS vs FedEx
USPS Ground Advantage - Best for packages under 1lb. Cheapest for light items. Delivers in 2-5 days.
USPS Priority Mail - Best for 1-5lb packages. Includes $50 insurance FREE. Flat rate boxes available.
UPS Ground - Best for packages over 5lbs OR large boxes. Often cheaper than USPS for heavy items.
FedEx - Similar to UPS. Good for business accounts with volume discounts.
📦 The Cubic Pricing Secret
Cubic Pricing = Pay for SIZE, not WEIGHT
If you ship small, HEAVY items (books, metal parts, tools), standard shipping charges by weight - expensive!
How to qualify: Box must be under 0.5 cubic feet. Use PirateShip → USPS Priority Cubic.
🆓 Free Shipping Supplies
USPS gives you FREE boxes and envelopes!
Order: Priority Mail boxes, Flat Rate envelopes, Priority Mail tape. All delivered FREE to your door. No limit on quantity.
Best free supplies:
- Padded Flat Rate Envelope - Great for clothing, small electronics
- Small Flat Rate Box - Perfect for shoes, video games
- Regional Rate Box A - Excellent for medium items