Mercari shipping change announcements

Each year, shipping and delivery carriers review their pricing and make rate adjustments to account for cost fluctuations, inflation, and increased demand. Since carrier rates are changing, shipping fees for Mercari prepaid labels are also changing for certain weights starting January 18, 2024. This year, Mercari rate changes include some price decreases for certain shipping weights – like $6.99 for 1 lb (down from $7.40) and $3.99 for 0.25 lb (down from $4.30)! View updated rates here.

New shipping rates for Mercari prepaid labels are effective January 18, 2024. New rates will automatically apply to new listings. They will also apply if you update shipping on existing listings – for both buyer and seller-paid labels. Starting January 18, 2024, existing listings posted before January 18, 2024 with buyer-paid shipping will automatically be updated with the new shipping prices. Note: It may take up to two weeks for changes to apply to existing listings with buyer-paid shipping. You don’t need to take any action to update shipping on any existing listings, and you’ll still get an average of 39% savings for items between 0.25 lb – 50 lbs compared to the retail prices of our carriers (USPS, UPS, FedEx).*

*Fees and rates are based on a comparison to the retail prices and surcharges for standard and economy shipments of our carriers (USPS, UPS, FedEx) for items between 0.25 lb - 50 lbs. Comparison completed December 8, 2023.

Introducing: 12 oz prepaid label for just $5.99

You can now ship up to 12 oz with USPS for just $5.99 using a Mercari prepaid label. This option is ideal for packaged items that weigh more than 8 oz but under 1 lb. As always, Mercari prepaid labels are eligible for up to $200 of Shipping Protection. Plus, they offer flat-rate shipping to all 50 states and a QR code that allows USPS to print your label for you.

The latest shipping and delivery rates are posted here.

We want to inform you that ALL shipping carriers charge excess shipping overages for underpaid shipping, including USPS, FedEx, and UPS. Carriers are diligent with reporting shipping overages and charging the excess fees back to customers. If you are using a Mercari Prepaid Label, it’s important to input and/or confirm both your actual weight and package dimensions when shipping an item to avoid underpaid shipping charges.

What you need to know:

• All shipping carriers charge excess shipping fees back to customers for underpaid shipping.
• Carriers are diligent with reporting shipping overages and charging excess fees back to Mercari. If your sale has an overweight shipping charge reported by a carrier, you will be charged back for the underpaid shipping fees.
• It’s important to know that carriers charge overweight shipping based on the greater of actual weight or DIM weight, and round the weight up to the nearest pound. Learn more.
• If you use Mercari Prepaid Labels or any other Ship On Your Own shipping option, be sure to input both actual weight and package dimensions to ensure your shipping label is accurate to avoid excess charges.
• You can input shipping information when you list an item or you can edit your listings at any time to ensure you have accurate shipping information. Learn more.
• If you sold an item with inaccurate shipping label information, you will need to correct the label before shipping. Learn more.

What is DIM weight?

DIM weight, or dimensional weight, is the size of a package in relation to its actual weight. DIM weight helps certain carriers calculate a shipping rate based on how much space a package will occupy on a delivery truck. Carriers that use DIM weight will charge based on the greater of the actual weight or DIM weight.

How is DIM weight calculated?

DIM weight is calculated by multiplying a package’s length x width x height and dividing that sum by a carrier’s designated shipping divisor*, rounding up to the nearest pound.

*Mercari prepaid labels use shipping divisors set by the carrier. 139 is an example shipping divisor.

Learn more about DIM weight.

We are pleased to share that lower rates will be available for Mercari prepaid labels with UPS SurePost® .25 lbs - 5 lbs starting 9/28/2023. You’ll save with Mercari’s most competitive rate for 2 lb and 3 lb shipments- just $7.99 with UPS SurePost®.See all rates.

What you need to know:

• Lower rates for UPS SurePost® prepaid labels will be available for new listings on 9/28. Note that UPS SurePost® prepaid labels are only available when shipping to/from the lower 48 states. Learn more.
• Starting 9/28, existing listings with UPS SurePost® buyer-paid shipping will be automatically updated with the lower shipping rates. Note: it may take up to 1 week for new rates to apply to existing listings after 9/28.
• Seller-paid UPS SurePost® shipping rates on existing listings will only change on existing listings if you update the listing shipping option to a new rate.

In July 2023, USPS will introduce the following changes:

Introducing USPS Ground Advantage™

USPS is combining the First-Class Package service and other shipping offerings into a single service: USPS Ground Advantage™. USPS Ground Advantage still delivers the same 2-5 day service standards, but with a new name to represent a more comprehensive product offering. When using Mercari prepaid labels, you’ll still enjoy our fixed 2023 shipping rates. On July 9, Mercari will automatically update your listings and prepaid labels with First-Class service to USPS Ground Advantage™.

If you printed your Mercari prepaid label prior to July 9th, USPS will continue to accept First-Class packages for a limited time. Be sure to ship your package within 3 days to avoid it potentially being returned. Note: This update will only impact First-Class packages and not First-Class Envelopes for trading cards.

USPS Hazardous Materials Update

Beginning July 9, USPS requires that packages with Hazardous Material (hairspray, nail polish, or electronics with lithium batteries) ship via USPS Ground Advantage™ (formerly First-Class). If you’re using a Mercari prepaid label for USPS Priority Mail for these types of items, your label will automatically include Hazmat marking and default to USPS Ground Advantage™ starting on July 17. Learn more about shipping items considered hazardous here.

USPS Rate Change

USPS will increase some retail shipping rates on July 9th. But when you use Mercari prepaid labels to ship, you’ll continue to enjoy fixed rates throughout 2023. Plus, Mercari prepaid labels include Shipping Protection, which means you’re covered up to $200 for standard, economy, and Media Mail shipments or Local deliveries and up to $20 for First-Class Envelopes.

Reminder: Metallic Mercury remains prohibited

Metallic mercury and devices containing metallic mercury are always prohibited for USPS shipment. This includes, but is not limited to, antique items such as thermometers, barometers, blood pressure monitors and similar devices. Please see Mercari’s full list of Prohibited Items and USPS Hazardous Materials Classification for more information.

Exclusively for trading cards, Mercari offers a First-Class Envelope prepaid label up to 3 oz. This is the perfect affordable option for shipping and tracking cards. Envelopes must be maximum 11 ½” length and 6 ⅛” height and ¼” thick (non-compressed). Please see our First-Class Envelope Guide for full shipping and category requirements.

Mercari now offers USPS Media Mail rates for eligible* media categories (books, movies, printed music). Packages must be properly marked as Media Mail and include only eligible media categories. Media Mail packages are subject to search by USPS. Sellers are responsible for overage fees and fines associated with improper use of Media Mail (prohibited contents, incorrect weight). Please see our Media Mail Guide for full shipping and category requirements.
*USPS Media Mail guidelines

Due to annual rate increases from carriers, Mercari shipping and delivery prices will be updated starting February 1.

New shipping rates for Mercari prepaid labels up to 50 lbs are effective February 1, 2023. The new rates will apply to new listings. They will also apply if you update shipping on existing listings – for both buyer and seller-paid labels. Starting February 15, 2023, existing listings posted before February 1, 2023 with buyer-paid shipping will automatically be updated with the new shipping prices. Note: It may take up to two weeks for changes to apply to existing listings with buyer-paid shipping. You don’t need to take any action to update shipping on any existing listings, and you’ll still get an average of 40% savings for items between 0.25 lb – 50 lbs compared to the retail prices of our carriers (USPS, UPS, FedEx).*

For Mercari Local, beginning February 15, 2023, delivery is $15.99 for items smaller than a microwave (22”H x 30”W x 25”D) and less than 50 lbs. For items larger than a microwave or more than 50 lbs, furniture delivery is available in select cities for $199 for up to 3 items. Furniture items must fit in the bed of a pickup truck (72”L x 48” W) and item(s) may not exceed a maximum of 300 lbs combined. The rate will be communicated to the buyer at checkout.

The latest shipping and delivery rates are posted here.

*All rates based on a comparison completed December 18, 2022.

We are pleased to share that FedEx Ground Economy (formerly FedEx SmartPost) is now offering better rates than previously announced. Starting 3/24/2022, improved rates for select FedEx Ground Economy prepaid labels will be available for new listings. Existing listings will be automatically updated on April 5, 2022 with the latest shipping rates. Seller-paid shipping rates only change on existing listings if you update the shipping option. Mercari Shipping Protection for coverage up to $200 still applies to all listings and all rates using Mercari Prepaid Labels.

The latest standard and economy shipping rates are posted here.

We’re postponing the shipping price update for existing listings to April 5, 2022. Continue enjoying 2021 rates on your existing listings for a little longer. Remember: 2022 rates still apply to new listings. The latest standard and economy shipping rates are posted here.

Due to annual rate increases from shipping carriers, Mercari shipping prices will be updated on February 1. You’ll still get an average of 43% off retail for shipping labels between 0.25 lb – 150 lbs. And Mercari prepaid labels include Shipping Protection for peace of mind. If your item is lost or damaged in transit by the carrier, you’re covered up to $200.

New shipping rates are effective February 1, 2022 for new listings with Mercari prepaid labels.  Rates will also change on existing listings if the shipping option is updated.  Starting March 1, 2022, existing listings will be subject to the new rates too. Seller-paid shipping rates only change on existing listings if you update the shipping option.

Due to the annual price increases from shipping carriers, Mercari shipping prices were updated on 03/01/2021. We are still offering on average 40% off retail for shipping labels between 0.25 lb - 150 lb.

We’re always looking for ways to make shipping as easy and affordable as possible. To give you an option to save even more, we’re reintroducing FedEx SmartPost at $7.99 for items weighing up to 3 lb. Please allow an additional 2 - 5 days for delivery for this shipping option.

Due to annual price changes from shipping carriers, Mercari shipping prices were updated on April 13, 2020. This will not impact listings created before this date. We are still offering on average 30% off retail for shippings labels weighing between 0.25 lb - 150 lb.

USPS price change announcement
FedEx price change announcement
UPS price change announcement

On November 21, 2019, we simplified shipping. We’ll now provide the best and most affordable shipping options (for most items) at the time of listing. To give you the best pricing possible, we also added more weight classes.

In addition, we are excited to announce a price reduction for USPS First Class Package Service. The label for 0.99 lb is now $4.99 instead of $5.25.

On September 17, 2019, we introduced a lower shipping weight class: $2.99 flat rate shipping for items weighing 4 oz and below.

On February 25, 2019, Mercari includes $200 Shipping Protection with every Mercari prepaid label. If your item is lost in transit, or the buyer files a return for damaged in transit, Mercari’s Shipping Protection has you covered. Due to annual price changes from shipping carriers, Mercari shipping prices increased.

2019 shipping carrier rate announcements:

USPS price change announcement
FedEx price change announcement
UPS price change announcement