Updated June 17, 2026
Compare carrier rates for your package
Enter weight and dimensions for side-by-side ballpark rates from USPS, UPS, and FedEx.
Most shippers overpay because of one or more of these: boxes too large for what's inside (DIM weight), defaulting to express when ground would do, or not comparing carriers on each shipment. Fixing any one of those three can cut shipping costs 10 to 30 percent. Fixing all three is less dramatic than it sounds; it just takes a tape measure and 30 extra seconds per order.
1. Right-size your packaging
Packaging that is too large for the product creates DIM weight charges that can double or triple the billable weight. Invest in an assortment of box sizes. A 3 lb product in a properly sized box often ships for half the cost of the same product rattling around in an oversized box.
2. Compare carriers for every shipment
The cheapest carrier changes based on package dimensions, weight, and destination zone. A rate estimator that shows USPS, UPS, and FedEx side by side takes 30 seconds and often identifies a clear winner that is not the one you defaulted to last time.
3. Use flat-rate options for dense items
USPS flat rate boxes and FedEx One Rate options charge a fixed price regardless of weight. A dense, 20 lb item in a USPS medium flat rate box ships for around $17. At ground rates, the same weight to a distant zone could cost $35 or more.
4. Negotiate carrier rates
Carriers discount retail rates for shippers with volume. Even small businesses shipping 50 to 100 packages a month can often get 10 to 30 percent discounts. Shipping platforms like Shippo, Pirateship, and EasyPost aggregate volume across many sellers and pass those discounts to smaller accounts.
5. Match service level to actual need
Express shipping costs 3 to 5 times more than ground. If a customer paid for ground shipping or the order does not need to arrive in one day, ground is the right call. The cost difference goes straight back to margin.
6. Audit accessorial charges
Residential surcharges, address correction fees, and additional handling charges add up fast. Verify addresses before shipping, use commercial delivery addresses when possible, and package items to avoid additional handling triggers.
7. Consider a third-party fulfillment partner
Third-party logistics providers (3PLs) and fulfillment centers have negotiated rates far below retail. If you ship more than 100 packages a month and storage makes sense, 3PL rates often beat anything a small business can negotiate directly.
8. Weigh and measure everything
Carrier billing adjustments from incorrect weight and dimensions are common and uniformly unpleasant. A good postal scale and a tape measure, used before purchasing labels, eliminate a recurring source of unexpected charges.
Compare carrier rates for your package
Enter weight and dimensions for side-by-side ballpark rates from USPS, UPS, and FedEx.