The “Secret” USPS Shipping Method No One Knows About
So you finally did it. You started your candle business. However, you have no idea how to ship your beautiful handmade goods. Shipping could seem like a very daunting topic and a bit nerve- wracking when you don’t know exactly what you are doing. For this reason, below I present you with a comprehensive review on a variety of shipping options. I will also be sharing the secret shipping method they don’t want you to know. Moreover, I will share my pro-tips on how to modify your packaging during the hot summer months.
1. Understanding All Options Offered By The USPS Priority Mail.
USPS Priority Mail is one of the most popular service levels the Postal Service offers. This shipping service will ship your packages anywhere in the U.S. in 1-3 business days for a flat rate. Thus, it is cost-effective and encompasses three widely-used shipping options: 1) Priority Mail weight-based, 2) Priority Mail Flat Rate, and 3) Priority Mail Cubic.
The main difference between USPS Priority Mail and USPS Flat Rate is the way the shipping cost is calculated. USPS Priority mail uses the dimensional weight and shipping distance to calculate the shipping cost of your package. Whereas, USPS Flat Rate uses only the package size to calculate the shipping cost of your package. In other words, if it fits, it ships.
2. Priority Mail Cubic Through PirateShip.
Priority Mail Cubic is a special rate or sub-service for smaller packages where a mailer pays based on the size of the mail piece instead of the weight. This is a very good option for small business owners that are constantly shipping out small but heavy items (e.g, candles). The cubic pricing is determined by measuring the length x width x height and it cannot exceed more than 18 inches. On their website, you can input your measurements and it will give you the exact pricing for shipping. Please reference my YouTube vlog below to learn exactly how to do it.
3. Avoiding getting ripped off.
When you physically go to a postal annex to ship your packages, you will end up overpaying for shipping. For this reason, I highly recommend that you go to the USPS website www.usps.com and do a “Click-N-Ship” to print out your own shipping label in the comfort of your home. This way, you can simply stick the label on a package. This will save you a lot of time and money.
4. Pirate ship.
If you are a brand new business owner, you are going to love this next tip. The major perk about signing up for PirateShip is that it's completely free to use and they do have the BEST deals when it comes to shipping. I honestly don’t know how they do it, but they are able to pass on to their customers up to 89% off USPS and UPS shipping rates for free!
5. Shipping in the summer.
Because I live in California, the weather can get pretty hot in the summer season. And this is exactly why I find myself modifying the way I ship my candles during the warmer months of the year. All you need to do is use a small piece of cool shield bubble wrap around your candle before shipping. By using this thick bubble wrap, you add extra cushion and protection for your candles during transit. This special bubble wrap will help keep your candles cool reducing the possibility of the wax melting before arriving at its destination.
In closing, when figuring out shipping it’s important that you take your time exploring all of the different options for your type of candles. As a small business owner you need to determine if you are going to offer free shipping to your customers and factor in the shipping to the cost of your candles.
I really hope you found this information useful and you feel better equipped when determining your small business shipping needs.
-NANCY DIANNE/FOUNDER
PirateShip:
Priority Mail Cubic Through PirateShip: