The cheapest way to ship clothes
If you pay for the label, use USPS Ground Advantage at commercial prices (online labels, not the Post Office counter). Under 1 lb, pay by weight: $7.33 to $8.95 depending on zone. Heavier than that, ship in a poly mailer at Ground Advantage Cubic prices, which go by the mailer's size, not its weight: a 10 x 13 in. mailer is tier 0.20 and costs $8.22 to $12.39 for anything up to 20 lb, less than the by-weight price for 2 lb in every zone (USPS Notice 123, prices effective Oct 4, 2026, checked Oct 14, 2026).
On Poshmark the buyer pays for the prepaid label, so shipping costs you nothing up to 5 lb. Mercari's and Whatnot's own labels cost less than USPS's published prices by weight up to 1 lb; at 3 lb, a small poly mailer at cubic prices costs less than Mercari's label (compare). A thin, flat piece up to 13 oz can go as a First-Class Mail large envelope for $1.69 to $5.24, without tracking (when that works). Clothing can't go by Media Mail.
Rates verified on
At a glance
- Under 1 lb
- By weight: $7.33 to $8.95 for anything up to 15.999 oz. Since July 12, 2026 a 4 oz package costs the same as a 15.999 oz one at commercial prices (tracker).
- Thin, flat pieces up to 13 oz
- First-Class Mail large envelope: $1.69 to $5.24 (retail). It must stay flexible, uniformly thick and no more than 3/4 in. thick, and it has no tracking. When it works
- 1 to 20 lb in a poly mailer
- Cubic: priced by the mailer's length + width. 10 x 13 in.: $8.22 to $12.39. 12 x 15 1/2 in.: $8.79 to $15.22.
- Poshmark
- The buyer pays the label. Up to 5 lb costs you nothing; heavier needs a $5.00 or $10.00 upgrade. Rules from Oct 26, 2026
- Media Mail
- Not for clothing: it's only for books, recordings and the other media on USPS's list. For books, see the cheapest way to ship books.
- Holiday prices
- Included in every Ground Advantage price here. They end at 12 a.m. CT on Jan 17, 2027. What they add
Poly mailer shipping cost: Ground Advantage Cubic prices
A poly mailer (USPS calls it a soft pack) prices at one of five cubic tiers set by its length plus width. The price is the same at any weight up to 20 lb. Zone 1 is nearest; higher zones are farther away.
| Tier | Length + width | Zone 1 | Zone 2 | Zone 3 | Zone 4 | Zone 5 | Zone 6 | Zone 7 | Zone 8 | Zone 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.10 | Up to 21 in. | $7.85 | $7.91 | $8.23 | $8.39 | $9.04 | $9.76 | $10.08 | $10.68 | $10.68 |
| 0.20 | Over 21 up to 27 in. | $8.22 | $8.29 | $8.54 | $8.74 | $9.92 | $11.21 | $11.60 | $12.39 | $12.39 |
| 0.30 | Over 27 up to 31 in. | $8.79 | $8.85 | $9.21 | $9.63 | $11.51 | $13.38 | $14.03 | $15.22 | $15.22 |
| 0.40 | Over 31 up to 34 in. | $9.72 | $9.78 | $10.16 | $10.99 | $13.48 | $15.71 | $16.66 | $18.34 | $18.34 |
| 0.50 | Over 34 up to 36 in. | $10.24 | $10.31 | $10.68 | $11.58 | $14.37 | $16.75 | $17.94 | $19.95 | $19.95 |
Every weight and zone by weight: Ground Advantage rate tables · your own weight: postage calculator
How USPS sizes a poly mailer: the soft-pack tier rule
For soft packs (poly, plastic, cloth or similar) and padded envelopes, USPS uses the outside length and width of the packaging, not its thickness or what's inside (DMM 283.1.3.4):
- Measure the length and the width of the mailer in inches.
- Round each down to the nearest 1/4 inch: 10 1/8 in. counts as 10 in.
- Add them. Up to 21 in. is tier 0.10, over 21 up to 27 in. is 0.20, over 27 up to 31 in. is 0.30, over 31 up to 34 in. is 0.40 and over 34 up to 36 in. is 0.50.
Every cubic piece must also weigh 20 lb or less, measure 1 cubic foot or less and have no side longer than 22 in. (DMM 283.1.3.1). Expandable mailers with pleats are measured like boxes, by length x width x height. USPS cut the soft-pack tiers from ten to five on July 12, 2026, which moved 10 x 13 in. and 12 x 15 1/2 in. mailers to cheaper tiers (tracker entry).
| Mailer | Length + width | Tier | Cubic price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 x 9 in. | 15 in. | 0.10 | $7.85 to $10.68 |
| 7 1/2 x 10 1/2 in. | 18 in. | 0.10 | $7.85 to $10.68 |
| 9 x 12 in. | 21 in. | 0.10 | $7.85 to $10.68 |
| 10 x 13 in. | 23 in. | 0.20 | $8.22 to $12.39 |
| 12 x 15 1/2 in. | 27 1/2 in. | 0.30 | $8.79 to $15.22 |
| 14 1/2 x 19 in. | 33 1/2 in. | 0.40 | $9.72 to $18.34 |
| 19 x 24 in. | 43 in. | No cubic price | Length + width is 43 in., over the 36 in. limit: pay by weight |
Enter the mailer's real size when you buy the label: since Jul 12, 2026, label services must send USPS each commercial parcel's length, width and height (tracker entry).
Worked examples: 10 x 13 in. and 12 x 15 1/2 in. mailers
Each table shows the by-weight price for the package and, under it, how much the cheaper option saves; the column heading has the mailer's cubic price. By weight, any fraction of a pound counts as a whole pound, so 1.2 lb pays the 2 lb price (DMM 283.1.1).
10 x 13 in. poly mailer: tier 0.20
10 + 13 = 23 in., which is over 21 up to 27 in., so tier 0.20 (it was tier 0.30 before July 12, 2026). Cubic costs $8.22 to Zone 1 and $12.39 to Zone 8 at any weight up to 20 lb, and beats the by-weight price once the package is over 1 lb, in every zone. At 3 lb it saves $0.82 (Zone 1), $2.20 (Zone 5), $3.91 (Zone 8).
| Package weight | Zone 1 (cubic $8.22) | Zone 5 (cubic $9.92) | Zone 8 (cubic $12.39) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 15.999 oz | $7.33 by weight saves $0.89 | $8.24 by weight saves $1.68 | $8.95 by weight saves $3.44 |
| 1 lb (16 oz) | $8.01 by weight saves $0.21 | $9.29 by weight saves $0.63 | $11.22 by weight saves $1.17 |
| Over 1 up to 2 lb | $8.39 cubic saves $0.17 | $10.50 cubic saves $0.58 | $13.42 cubic saves $1.03 |
| Over 2 up to 3 lb | $9.04 cubic saves $0.82 | $12.12 cubic saves $2.20 | $16.30 cubic saves $3.91 |
| Over 4 up to 5 lb | $10.35 cubic saves $2.13 | $14.53 cubic saves $4.61 | $20.24 cubic saves $7.85 |
| Over 9 up to 10 lb | $12.56 cubic saves $4.34 | $17.81 cubic saves $7.89 | $26.39 cubic saves $14.00 |
| Over 19 up to 20 lb | $17.51 cubic saves $9.29 | $26.68 cubic saves $16.76 | $42.14 cubic saves $29.75 |
12 x 15 1/2 in. poly mailer: tier 0.30
12 + 15 1/2 = 27 1/2 in., which is over 27 up to 31 in., so tier 0.30 (it was tier 0.50 before July 12, 2026). Cubic costs $8.79 to Zone 1 and $15.22 to Zone 8 at any weight up to 20 lb, and beats the by-weight price once the package is over 2 lb, in every zone. At 3 lb it saves $0.25 (Zone 1), $0.61 (Zone 5), $1.08 (Zone 8).
| Package weight | Zone 1 (cubic $8.79) | Zone 5 (cubic $11.51) | Zone 8 (cubic $15.22) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 15.999 oz | $7.33 by weight saves $1.46 | $8.24 by weight saves $3.27 | $8.95 by weight saves $6.27 |
| 1 lb (16 oz) | $8.01 by weight saves $0.78 | $9.29 by weight saves $2.22 | $11.22 by weight saves $4.00 |
| Over 1 up to 2 lb | $8.39 by weight saves $0.40 | $10.50 by weight saves $1.01 | $13.42 by weight saves $1.80 |
| Over 2 up to 3 lb | $9.04 cubic saves $0.25 | $12.12 cubic saves $0.61 | $16.30 cubic saves $1.08 |
| Over 4 up to 5 lb | $10.35 cubic saves $1.56 | $14.53 cubic saves $3.02 | $20.24 cubic saves $5.02 |
| Over 9 up to 10 lb | $12.56 cubic saves $3.77 | $17.81 cubic saves $6.30 | $26.39 cubic saves $11.17 |
| Over 19 up to 20 lb | $17.51 cubic saves $8.72 | $26.68 cubic saves $15.17 | $42.14 cubic saves $26.92 |
By weight or cubic: where the switch happens
Commercial Ground Advantage by weight for 1-3 lb against the three smallest cubic tiers. A light package is cheaper by weight; a heavy one in a small mailer is cheaper by cubic.
| Option | Zone 1 | Zone 4 | Zone 5 | Zone 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| By weight, up to 15.999 oz | $7.33 | $7.86 | $8.24 | $8.95 |
| By weight, 1 lb (16 oz) | $8.01 | $8.55 | $9.29 | $11.22 |
| By weight, over 1 up to 2 lb | $8.39 | $8.91 | $10.50 | $13.42 |
| By weight, over 2 up to 3 lb | $9.04 | $10.07 | $12.12 | $16.30 |
| Cubic 0.10 (e.g. 6 x 9 in., 7 1/2 x 10 1/2 in., 9 x 12 in.) | $7.85 | $8.39 | $9.04 | $10.68 |
| Cubic 0.20 (e.g. 10 x 13 in.) | $8.22 | $8.74 | $9.92 | $12.39 |
| Cubic 0.30 (e.g. 12 x 15 1/2 in.) | $8.79 | $9.63 | $11.51 | $15.22 |
| Tier | Length + width | Cubic is cheaper at |
|---|---|---|
| 0.10 | Up to 21 in. | 1 lb or more |
| 0.20 | Over 21 up to 27 in. | over 1 lb |
| 0.30 | Over 27 up to 31 in. | over 2 lb |
| 0.40 | Over 31 up to 34 in. | over 3 lb |
| 0.50 | Over 34 up to 36 in. | over 4 lb |
The Post Office counter charges retail prices and has no cubic option: a 2 lb package to Zone 5 costs $14.85 at retail, $10.50 at commercial prices by weight and $9.92 in a 10 x 13 in. mailer at cubic prices. Selling platforms and label services can also negotiate their own rates, which can be lower than the published commercial prices.
Dimensional weight applies only to parcels over 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches), and a cubic-priced piece can't be over 1 cubic foot, so a mailer at cubic prices is never billed by dimensional weight (DMM 283.1.3 and 1.4; the July 12, 2026 change).
Who pays for shipping on each platform
When the buyer pays shipping, most platforms take their percentage of it too. The fee column is for a $25.00 item with $9.92 of buyer-paid shipping (a 10 x 13 in. mailer to Zone 5), computed with the same code as our fee calculators. For each platform's full fee on a sale, shipping and all, see selling fees compared.
| Platform | Label and who pays | Fee on $9.92 shipping | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poshmark | Poshmark's prepaid label. The buyer pays for it. You pay only for label upgrades on heavy packages (next section). | $0.00 | None: the buyer pays Poshmark for the label (source) |
| eBay | Your label (eBay Labels or another service). The buyer pays the shipping you charge, or you offer free shipping. eBay figures its fee on the total sale, shipping included. | $1.35 | 13.6% final value fee (most categories) on shipping you charge (source) |
| Mercari | Mercari's prepaid label or your own. Buyer or seller can pay. No fee on shipping when you pay for it yourself. | $0.99 | 10% selling fee on buyer-paid shipping (source) |
| Depop | Depop's label or your own. Boosted sales: the 12% fee includes shipping only if you arrange your own. | $0.32 | 3.3% payment processing on shipping too (source) |
| Whatnot | Buyers usually pay shipping through Whatnot's label. Whatnot's own label prices are in the table below. | $0.28 | 2.9% payment processing on shipping; no commission on it (source) |
| Etsy | Your label. The buyer pays the shipping you charge. Etsy allows resold clothing only as vintage (over 20 years old). | $0.94 | 6.5% transaction fee + 3% processing on shipping (source) |
| TikTok Shop | Shipping labels are a separate seller cost. Most other categories pay 6%. | $0.50 | 5% referral fee (Pre-Owned, which includes clothing) on buyer-paid shipping (source) |
Mercari and Whatnot labels vs USPS's published prices
Mercari and Whatnot sell their own USPS Ground Advantage labels at set prices by weight. On Mercari it matters if you pay shipping; on Whatnot the buyer usually pays. Up to 1 lb, Mercari's and Whatnot's labels cost less than USPS's published commercial prices by weight in every zone. At 3 lb, a tier 0.10 or 0.20 poly mailer at cubic prices ($7.85 to $12.39) costs less than Mercari's Best-rate label ($12.83; $13.99 from Oct 19, 2026) in every zone, and commercial by weight costs less in Zones 1-5 ($9.04 to $12.12). Whatnot's $7.75 label for 1-5 lb costs less than even the smallest cubic tier ($7.85 and up).
| Label | Platform price | USPS by weight | Cheaper option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercari, Best rate, 4 oz | $4.91$5.39 from Oct 19, 2026 | $7.33 to $8.95 | The platform label, in every zone |
| Mercari, Best rate, 1 lb | $7.48$7.99 from Oct 19, 2026 | $8.01 to $11.22 | The platform label, in every zoneFrom Oct 19, 2026 ($7.99): USPS cubic, tier 0.10 mailer (Zones 1-2) |
| Mercari, Best rate, 3 lb | $12.83$13.99 from Oct 19, 2026 | $9.04 to $16.30 | USPS cubic, tier 0.10 or 0.20 mailer (every zone); USPS by weight (Zones 1-5) |
| Whatnot, Under 4 oz | $4.47 | $7.33 to $8.95 | The platform label, in every zone |
| Whatnot, Under 16 oz | $6.75 | $7.33 to $8.95 | The platform label, in every zone |
| Whatnot, 1-5 lb | $7.75 | $8.01 to $20.24 | The platform label, in every zone |
Sources: Mercari label prices (Mercari help: Fees on Mercari + Shipping change announcements (Sep 17, 2026)) · Whatnot label prices (Whatnot help: USPS shipping updates).
Poshmark: packages over 5 lb from Oct 26, 2026
The buyer pays for Poshmark's prepaid label (Poshmark fee policy). The standard label covers packages up to 5 lb, counting the box, padding and tape (Poshmark Blog, Oct 8, 2026). Poshmark says coats, boots, handbags and bundled orders are more likely to go over 5 lb.
Heavier packages need a label upgrade, and you pay for it. Poshmark used to cover the cost when a seller shipped a heavy package on the standard label; from Oct 26, 2026 it takes the upgrade cost from your earnings instead. Upgraded labels go up to 15 lb. Heavier orders should go in separate boxes, each with its own label and fee; one label over 25 lb costs the full USPS price.
| Package weight | Upgrade or deduction | $10 sale | $25 sale | $50 sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 lb (standard label) | $0.00 | $7.05 | $20.00 | $40.00 |
| 5.01-10 lb | -$5.00 | $2.05 | $15.00 | $35.00 |
| 10.01-15 lb | -$10.00 | -$2.95 | $10.00 | $30.00 |
| 15.01-25 lb on one label | -$15.00 | -$7.95 | $5.00 | $25.00 |
Upgrade before you ship: it costs the same and avoids a surprise deduction. Reusing boxes? Poshmark stops covering USPS's $50 hazmat fee: sellers pay it all from Oct 19. Run a sale through the Poshmark fee calculator.
Holiday prices until Jan 17, 2027
Every Ground Advantage price on this page includes USPS's temporary holiday prices, which run from 12 a.m. CT Oct 4, 2026 to 12 a.m. CT Jan 17, 2027 (USPS, announced Aug 25, 2026). First-Class Mail large envelopes are not part of them. USPS's 8% time-limited increase, in place since Apr 26, 2026, ends the same day (tracker). USPS had not published the prices that follow when we checked on Oct 14, 2026 (what is known about 2027 prices).
| Tier | Zone 1, Jul 12 | Zone 1, Oct 4 | Added, Zones 1-4 | Added, Zones 5-9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.10 | $7.45 | $7.85 | +$0.40 | +$0.55 |
| 0.20 | $7.82 | $8.22 | +$0.40 | +$0.55 |
| 0.30 | $8.39 | $8.79 | +$0.40 | +$0.55 |
| 0.40 | $9.07 | $9.72 | +$0.65 | +$1.05 |
| 0.50 | $9.59 | $10.24 | +$0.65 | +$1.05 |
eBay Labels sells cubic labels at its own prices. eBay says its Labels prices don't go up during the holiday period for Ground Advantage packages up to 20 lb in Zones 1-8, except cubic tiers .30-1.0 (+$1.18 to +$2.84 depending on zone); shipments to USPS-designated rural ZIP codes are charged commercial rates. Tier 0.10 and 0.20 mailers aren't on eBay's increase list (tracker entry).
All weights: USPS holiday prices 2026 · tracker entry
Common questions
What is the cheapest way to ship clothes?
For a label you pay for yourself, USPS Ground Advantage at commercial prices (online labels, not the Post Office counter). Under 1 lb, pay by weight: $7.33 to $8.95 depending on zone. Heavier, use Ground Advantage Cubic in a poly mailer, where the price depends on the mailer's length plus width, not the weight, up to 20 lb. A 10 x 13 in. mailer is tier 0.20: $8.22 to $12.39, cheaper than paying by weight once the package is over 1 lb. USPS Notice 123 prices effective Oct 4, 2026. A thin, flat piece up to 13 oz can go as a First-Class Mail large envelope for $1.69 to $5.24, but without tracking.
How much does it cost to ship a poly mailer?
At USPS's published commercial Ground Advantage Cubic prices (effective Oct 4, 2026), a poly mailer costs $7.85 to $10.68 at tier 0.10 (length plus width up to 21 in.) and $10.24 to $19.95 at tier 0.50 (up to 36 in.), depending on zone, for any weight up to 20 lb. By weight, a package under 1 lb costs $7.33 to $8.95.
How do I work out the cubic tier of a poly mailer?
Measure the outside length and width of the mailer, round each down to the nearest 1/4 inch and add them. Tiers: 0.10 (up to 21 in.), 0.20 (over 21 up to 27 in.), 0.30 (over 27 up to 31 in.), 0.40 (over 31 up to 34 in.), 0.50 (over 34 up to 36 in.). Over 36 in., or with a side longer than 22 in., the mailer can't use cubic prices (USPS DMM 283.1.3).
Can I mail a T-shirt in a large envelope?
Only if it stays flat. A First-Class Mail large envelope costs $1.69 at 1 oz to $5.24 at 13 oz, the maximum (USPS Notice 123 retail prices, effective Oct 4, 2026), less than Ground Advantage's $7.33 minimum under 1 lb. It must be flexible and uniformly thick, and no more than 15 in. long, 12 in. high or 3/4 in. thick (USPS DMM 101). Notice 123 says large envelopes that are "rigid, nonrectangular, or not uniformly thick pay parcel prices." Large envelopes don't include tracking unless you add a service such as Certified Mail (USPS). For a sale, Ground Advantage is the safer choice because tracking is included: $7.33 to $8.95 under 1 lb at commercial prices.
Can I ship clothes by Media Mail?
No. Media Mail is only for books, sound and video recordings, printed music, manuscripts, computer-readable media and the other media on USPS's list. Clothing isn't on it, so use Ground Advantage. Shipping books instead? See the cheapest way to ship books.
Who pays for shipping on Poshmark?
The buyer pays for Poshmark's prepaid label. The standard label covers up to 5 lb; heavier packages need an upgrade, $5.00 for 5.01-10 lb and $10.00 for 10.01-15 lb. From Oct 26, 2026, Poshmark takes the upgrade cost from your earnings if you ship a heavy package without upgrading.
Do the USPS holiday prices apply to poly mailers?
Yes. Cubic prices are part of USPS's temporary holiday prices from Oct 4, 2026 to Jan 17, 2027. Compared with the July 12, 2026 prices, tiers 0.10-0.30 cost $0.40 more in Zones 1-4 and $0.55 more in Zones 5-9; tiers 0.40-0.50 cost $0.65 more in Zones 1-4 and $1.05 more in Zones 5-9. The Ground Advantage prices on this page include them.
Calculators, guides and tracker entries
Cheapest way to ship books · How to ship trading cards · Selling fees compared · USPS holiday prices 2026 · USPS prices for 2027
Postage calculator · Ground Advantage rates · Poshmark fees · Mercari fees · Depop fees · Poshmark vs Depop · Mercari vs Poshmark · Where you net the most
- Ground Advantage Cubic: poly mailers move to cheaper tiers, and boxes up to 22 in. now qualify (effective Jul 12, 2026)
- Light parcels hit hardest: commercial Ground Advantage drops its ounce tiers (effective Jul 12, 2026)
- USPS holiday prices: Ground Advantage up $0.40 to $0.75 on 0-3 lb parcels (effective Oct 4, 2026)
- USPS adds a temporary 8% to Ground Advantage and Priority Mail (effective Apr 26, 2026)
- USPS now requires box dimensions with every commercial parcel label (effective Jul 12, 2026)
- USPS dimensional weight now divides by 139, not 166, and rounds sides up (effective Jul 12, 2026)
- Poshmark will charge you for heavy packages shipped without an upgraded label (effective Oct 26, 2026)
- Poshmark stops covering USPS's $50 hazmat fee: sellers pay it all from Oct 19 (effective Oct 19, 2026)
- Mercari Ground Advantage labels go up: 1 lb $7.48 to $7.99 (effective Oct 19, 2026)
- Whatnot makes Ground Advantage the default: $7.75 for 1-5 lb (effective Jul 31, 2026)
- eBay Labels skip most of the USPS holiday increase (effective Oct 4, 2026)
Sources
Rates verified on from each official page below.
- USPS Notice 123 (effective Oct 4, 2026)
- Postal Explorer archive: Notice 123, July 12, 2026
- USPS DMM 283: USPS Ground Advantage, Commercial (cubic and soft-pack rules)
- USPS DMM 101: physical standards (large envelopes and parcels)
- USPS final rule, Federal Register, May 15, 2026 (+ DMM 283 Jan 18 vs current)
- USPS final rule, Federal Register, Mar 31, 2026
- USPS: temporary price change for 2026 holiday shipping (Aug 25, 2026)
- USPS newsroom, Mar 25, 2026
- USPS: Mail and shipping services (Media Mail and Ground Advantage rules)
- Poshmark: Fee Policy (v1.7, current, effective Nov 25, 2024)
- Poshmark Blog: Shipping heavier items, how label upgrades work (Oct 8, 2026)
- Poshmark Blog, Oct 5, 2026 (and Jul 9, 2026 USPS Policy Update)
- Mercari: Fees on Mercari
- Mercari: FAQs about our new fee structure
- Depop: Seller fees and charges
- Whatnot: Seller fees
- Whatnot help: USPS shipping updates
- eBay: Selling fees (US)
- eBay Community Announcements (seller_news_team), Sep 28, 2026
- Etsy: What are the fees and taxes for selling on Etsy?
- Etsy: Does Etsy allow drop shipping or reselling?
- TikTok Shop Academy: TikTok Shop Referral Fees in 2024 by Category (dated 10/08/2026)
Get USPS and platform shipping changes weekly
New label prices, tier rules and holiday dates, with what they cost on a $10, $25 and $50 sale. Free, one email every Thursday.