Selling on Mercari can be a lucrative venture, but efficient shipping is crucial to maximize earnings and customer satisfaction. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Mercari shipping, from understanding the different options and rates to best practices and tips for success.
Table of Contents
- How Does Mercari Shipping Work?
- The 3 Mercari Shipping Options
- The Price of Mercari Shipping Rates
- 5 Mercari Shipping Tips
- Mercari Doesn’t Offer International Shipping
- The Best Mercari Shipping Rates with Easyship
- FAQ Section
How Does Mercari Shipping Work?
After making a sale on Mercari, your next step is to ship the item efficiently. Mercari suggests different shipping box sizes based on your item’s weight and dimensions, offering three options:
- Small: Ideal for lightweight items like clothing and accessories.
- Medium: Suitable for shoes, books, and similar-sized goods.
- Large: Perfect for bulkier items like electronics, small appliances, and certain sporting goods.
While Mercari provides these boxes, you can also utilize your own packaging, as long as it fits within the platform’s size and weight limits. This means you can take advantage of free shipping boxes offered by courier services like USPS or FedEx, or use your own supplies to potentially save even more.
The 3 Mercari Shipping Options
Mercari provides three distinct shipping options, each with its own advantages and disadvantages:
1. Mercari Prepaid Labels
Mercari Prepaid Labels is generally the easiest and most recommended option, especially for new sellers. This service uses flat-rate pricing through both USPS and FedEx, simplifying the shipping process. Here’s a closer look:
- Weight & Size Limits: Packages cannot exceed 50 lbs and no side can be longer than 34 inches.
- Obtaining Your Label: After your item sells, Mercari automatically generates and emails you a prepaid shipping label based on the weight and dimensions you provided in your listing. This label is also accessible on your Order Status page.
- Shipping Cost Responsibility: You determine whether the buyer or you pay for shipping when listing the item. If the buyer pays, the cost is added to their total during checkout.
- Steps to Ship:
- Select “Mercari Prepaid” when listing your item.
- Carefully package your product, print the label, and securely attach it to the package.
- Drop off the package at a designated USPS or FedEx location within three business days to maintain your shipping protections.
- Confirm the shipment in the Mercari app.
Benefits:
- Simplicity: Mercari takes care of label creation, tracking, and carrier selection.
- Mercari Shipping Protection: This covers lost or damaged packages up to $200.
- Flat-Rate Pricing: Avoid fluctuating shipping costs based on destination.
- Free Shipping Option: You can offer free shipping to buyers by absorbing the shipping cost yourself.
Drawbacks:
- Higher Costs: Mercari’s prepaid label rates are typically two to three times more expensive than generating your own label through services like Pirate Ship.
- Competitive Pricing Difficulty: The higher shipping cost might make it challenging to price your items competitively.
2. Mercari Pack and Ship
Mercari Pack and Ship offers a hassle-free option for larger, bulky, or fragile items that require professional packaging. This service is only available if you, the seller, choose to cover the shipping cost.
Here’s a breakdown of the process:
- Weight & Size Limits: Packages are capped at 150 lbs with the longest side not exceeding 45 inches and the total length and width combined not surpassing 108 inches.
- How it Works:
- Select “Pack and Ship” as your shipping method when listing the item.
- Mercari will send you a UPS shipping code after the sale.
- Bring your item and the code to any UPS Store location.
- UPS will professionally pack and ship your item using their UPS Simple Rate service, which includes insurance up to $200 and tracking.
Benefits:
- Effortless Packaging: UPS takes care of packaging, label creation, and shipping.
- Insurance & Tracking: Includes insurance up to $200 and tracking within the Mercari app.
- Free Shipping for Buyers: Buyers receive free shipping, with the seller covering the cost.
Drawbacks:
- Limited Availability: Only offered for specific items and only if the seller pays for shipping.
- Potential Expense: UPS Simple Rate may be more expensive than finding your own rates.
3. Ship on Your Own
Shipping on your own, much like selling on eBay, allows for maximum flexibility and potential cost savings. However, it also requires more effort on your part. Here’s what you should know:
- Carrier Choice: You can choose any shipping carrier and service that meets your needs.
- Cost Savings Potential: You can often find more competitive rates than Mercari’s prepaid options through services like Pirate Ship.
- No Seller Protection: You’re responsible for handling returns and any issues with lost or damaged packages.
- Additional Steps:
- Generate and print your own shipping label using a platform like Pirate Ship.
- Provide the tracking number to the buyer through the Mercari app.
- Ship the package within three business days of the sale.
Benefits:
- Maximum Flexibility: Select your preferred carrier and service to fit your specific requirements.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Discover cheaper rates than Mercari’s prepaid labels.
- Packaging Control: Use your own packaging materials, potentially saving more money.
Drawbacks:
- Increased Responsibility: Handle label generation, tracking, and any potential shipping issues yourself.
- Lack of Mercari Shipping Protection: You won’t have Mercari’s coverage for lost or damaged packages.
The Price of Mercari Shipping Rates
Mercari determines shipping costs based on your package’s weight and size. They use the greater of the actual weight or the dimensional weight (volumetric weight) for calculations.
Below is a simplified table illustrating estimated Mercari shipping rates for each box size and shipping method:
| Box Size | Mercari Prepaid | Mercari Pack and Ship | Ship on Your Own |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | $6.99 | N/A | Varies |
| Medium | $8.99 | $8.99 – $16.99 | Varies |
| Large | $16.99 | $16.99 – $50.00 | Varies |
Keep in mind that these rates are estimates and can fluctuate based on factors such as exact package dimensions and destination. To calculate volumetric weight, multiply the package length, width, and height, then divide the result by 139.
Before choosing a shipping method, it’s often wise to compare rates using Easyship’s free shipping rate calculator. This tool allows you to compare Mercari’s pricing with other options and potentially find significant savings. For example, you might discover that shipping a 4lb medium box with USPS Priority Mail through Easyship can save you nearly $2 compared to Mercari’s prepaid label.
While Easyship can offer substantial savings, particularly on larger shipments, remember that you’ll need to manage label printing and tracking number sharing yourself. It’s essential to weigh the cost savings against the additional effort involved and decide what works best for your individual needs.
5 Mercari Shipping Tips
Here are some valuable tips to help you navigate Mercari shipping effectively and ensure both you and your buyers have a positive experience:
Prompt Shipping: Ship within three business days to retain Mercari Shipping Protection and avoid potential order cancellations or negative reviews.
Open Communication: Inform buyers promptly if any shipping delays occur to manage expectations and maintain transparency.
Utilize Poly Mailers: These are a cost-effective and lightweight solution for shipping clothing, accessories, and other small, non-fragile items.
Seek Free Shipping Supplies: Many courier services, including USPS and FedEx, offer free shipping boxes. Ordering these can help minimize your overall costs.
Compare Shipping Rates: Before selecting a shipping method, compare rates from different platforms like Easyship to explore potential savings and find the most economical option for your specific shipment.
Mercari Doesn’t Offer International Shipping
One significant limitation of Mercari is its restriction to domestic shipping. Both the US and Japan versions of the platform only allow shipments within their respective countries.
If you need to ship internationally, exploring alternative platforms like Easyship can be a valuable solution. Easyship offers competitive rates on international shipments, simplifies customs documentation, and provides a built-in duty and tax calculator to help you estimate potential costs accurately.
The Best Mercari Shipping Rates with Easyship
While Mercari’s native shipping options offer convenience and some level of protection, they can become expensive, especially when dealing with larger or heavier items. Easyship presents a compelling alternative, potentially saving you 20-70% on shipping costs.
However, using Easyship involves a trade-off. You’ll be responsible for printing your own labels and manually sharing tracking information with buyers. For many sellers, the substantial cost savings, particularly as their business scales, outweigh this additional effort.
Beyond discounted rates, Easyship offers several features designed to streamline your shipping operations:
Shipping Dashboard: This centralized platform allows you to manage orders, create shipments, and track all your packages with ease.
Branding Suite: Enhance your customer’s delivery experience by adding your logo and promotional materials to packing slips, tracking pages, and emails.
Shipping Policy Generator: Create a professional and comprehensive shipping policy for your business, ensuring you clearly communicate your shipping terms and conditions to buyers.
By considering Easyship as part of your Mercari shipping strategy, you can unlock potential cost savings, access a broader range of shipping options, and gain greater control over your fulfillment process.
FAQ Section
What is Mercari Shipping Protection?
Mercari Shipping Protection provides coverage for lost or damaged packages shipped using Mercari’s prepaid labels. This protection is automatically included when you select Mercari Prepaid or Mercari Pack and Ship, providing peace of mind for both you and your buyer.
What are the exact dimensions of Mercari’s shipping boxes?
While Mercari offers estimated dimensions for their three box sizes, the actual dimensions may vary slightly. It’s always a good idea to check the exact measurements of the box you choose to ensure your item fits comfortably and complies with Mercari’s guidelines.
Can I use my own packaging for Mercari prepaid labels?
Yes, you can use your own packaging with Mercari prepaid labels as long as the package meets their size and weight limitations. This flexibility allows you to reduce packaging costs by using supplies you already have or ordering free boxes from courier services.
What happens if I ship my item late on Mercari?
Shipping your item past the three-business-day deadline jeopardizes your Mercari Shipping Protection and might result in a cancellation request or a negative review from the buyer. It’s crucial to prioritize prompt shipping to maintain a positive seller rating and avoid potential complications.
How do I get a QR code for shipping on Mercari?
Mercari offers a QR code for UPS shipments in case you don’t have a printer. You can present this code at a UPS location, and they’ll print the label for you, ensuring your package can be shipped even without access to a printer.
Does Mercari provide free shipping supplies?
Mercari itself does not offer free shipping supplies. However, you can order free boxes from courier services like USPS and FedEx, which can be a great way to reduce your packaging costs.
What happens if the buyer doesn’t rate me on Mercari?
If the buyer doesn’t leave a rating within three days of receiving their item, Mercari automatically releases your funds and marks the transaction as complete. You’ll receive your payment and won’t be penalized for the buyer’s lack of feedback.
Can I offer free shipping on Mercari?
Yes, Mercari allows you to offer free shipping by selecting “I’ll pay for shipping” when listing your item. The shipping cost will be deducted from your earnings, so it’s important to factor that into your pricing strategy. You can also offer free shipping on heavier items by choosing to ship on your own and building the shipping cost into your item’s price.
By understanding these key aspects of Mercari shipping, you can enhance your selling experience, maximize your profit potential, and build a positive reputation on the platform. Don’t hesitate to explore alternative platforms like Easyship to unlock additional cost savings and streamline your fulfillment process.