This guide will help sellers determine the cost to ship their packages. If you are a seller who don't like the hassle of going to the post office, waiting in a line or worst caught in a heavy traffic, then this guide will really help you with tips and the new updated Postal Rates and Fees - it will definitely speed up your shipping process. Like they always say "A penny save is a penny earned" so why not start with your Shipping fees.

Tip#1: Invest on weighing scale.  Whether or not you're going to the post office, it is good to have a weighing scale at home so you will know how much exactly you will have to pay. Also, it will speed up process if you fill out customs forms when sending international packages.

FIRST CLASS MAIL SINGLE PIECE

Weight Not Over (Ounces)                    Letters                   Large Envelopes                   Packages

               1                                              $0.41                            $0.80                               $1.31

               2                                                  .58                                .97                                 1.30

               3                                                  .75                              1.14                                 1.47

               3.5                                               .92                              1.31                                 1.64

               4                                                  -                                 1.31                                 1.64

               5                                                   -                                1.48                                 1.81

               6                                                   -                                1.65                                 1.98

               7                                                    -                               1.82                                 2.15

               8                                                    -                               1.99                                 2.32

               9                                                    -                               2.16                                 2.49

              10                                                   -                               2.33                                 2.66

              11                                                   -                               2.50                                 2.83

              12                                                   -                               2.67                                 3.00

              13                                                  -                                2.84                                 3.17

Additional Ounces :    $.17

Postcard....................0.26        

PRIORITY MAIL

Priority mail offer 2-3 day service to most domestic destinations.

• Flat Rate Envelope   -  $4.60
• Flat Rate Boxes - $8.95

Regardless of weight or destination, for matter sent in a flat rate box / envelope provided by the Postal Service.

Tip#2: Print your Label via PAYPAL or USPS CLICK 'N' SHIP: It is fast and easy. When you print the shipping label, the other half of the page will serve as your copy, so I suggest you keep it as your record for the next few weeks or up until your customer receives their item. If you print online - you pay only 14 cents for delivery confirmation and if you print priority, delivery confirmation is absolutely FREE!  (see delivery confirmation fee for post office on additional services)

INTERNATIONAL MAIL PRIORITY

Priority Mail - Flat Rate Services Using Flat Rate Boxes/Envelops

____________________________________________________

                                    Envelope            Boxes

Canada and Mexico    $9.00                   $23.00

All other countries       $11.00                 $37.00

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Rate Group 1: Canada

Rate Group 2: Mexico

Rate Group 3 Includes:  Great Britain, Ireland, Israel, Western Europe

Rate Group 4 Includes: Australia, Japan, New Zealand

Rate Group 5 Includes: Africa, Asia. Central and South America, Eastern Europe, Middle East

TIP#3: INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING. When you decide to ship your items to the post office (especially International packages) remind the post master for the INSURANCE (which is free).I think this is their new policy, that's what our postman told us.

MORE USPS SERVICES

Insured Mail

Provides Coverage against loss and damage upto $5,000. Fee based on the coverage desired. The amount of insurance coverage for loss will be the actual value, less depreciation.

$.01 to $50.00--------------------$1.65

$50.01 to $100.00 ---------------$2.05

$100.01 to $200.00 -------------$2.45

$200.01 to $300.00 -------------$4.60

$300.01 to $5,000.00 -----------$4.60 plus $0.90 each $100 or fraction thereof over $300

Registered Mail

Provided maximum security. Includes Proof of mailing at time of mailing and the date and time of delivery or attempted delivery. Insurance can be added up tp $25,000.

Declared Value

• $0.00-----$9.50
• $0.01  to $100.00 --- $10.15
• $100.01 to 500.00 ---$11.25
• $500.01 to 1,000.00 --- $12.35
• $1,000.01 to 5,000.00 ---$ $12.35 plus $1.10 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof up to $25,000

Delivery Confirmation

Provides the date and time of delivery or attempted delivery.

Standard Mail Electronic -----$0.18

First Class --- $.75

Priority Mail ---0.65

First Class Electronic ---$0.00

Priority Electronic ----$0.00

Parcel Select Electronic  -----$0.00

Signature Confirmation

Provides the date and time of delivery or attempted delivery, and the name of the person who signed for the item, plus signature proof of delivery upon request.

Electronic --- $1.75

Retail -----$2.10

Tip#4: Try the USPS carrier pickup:  Our postman comes around 10:00 a.m. - so I usually print shipping labels the night before, and have the packages ready at the front door for pick-up. Try it! It's very easy. Just login to their website our call the post office. And oh, you need to request that pick up before 2:00 a.m. on the day your pick up is scheduled. Lastly, USPS may request at least one PRIORITY mail - but usually they are ok even if you don't have priority but at least try to have one so it will be worth their time.

Supplies you may need to speed up your shipping process:

Flat Rate Priority Box size 11"x8/5"x5.5"

Flat Rate Priority Box size 11-7/8"x3-3/8"x13-5/8"

Priority Box size 7"x7"x6"

Priority Box size 12"x12"x8"

Customs Declaration and Dispatch note (This is needed when your package weighs more than 4 pounds, if you are printing at home, you may need PS FORM 2976-E (plastic envelope to go along with this Form)

PS Form 2976

If you have been selling for a long time, I'm sure these are all familiar to you - There are a lot of supplies you can order online all kinds of boxes from small - large, stickers, forms -FREE!  just visit their website. I truly hope this helps those eBayers who just started selling --- GOODLUCK and PLEASE VOTE! ~ Cheers!