Does Poshmark Use USPS? Untangling the Shipping Process
If you‘re new to Poshmark selling, shipping items can definitely be intimidating. As of 2023, Poshmark continues relying on the United States Postal Service (USPS) to power shipping for all orders on its platform.
But what exactly does that entail as a Poshmark seller? Here, I‘ll walk through how the Poshmark/USPS shipping partnership works, from printing labels to picking boxes.
Why Poshmark Chose USPS
First, let‘s look at why this exclusive USPS arrangement makes strategic sense for Poshmark:
Large infrastructure. With over 31,000 post offices nationwide, USPS has far more shipping access points than UPS or FedEx. This vast network allows Poshmark to keep up with rapidly growing order volumes.
Free packaging. USPS offers sellers a variety of priority mail boxes and envelopes for free. This helps keep seller overhead costs in check.
Fast shipping. Priority Mail gets most packages delivered within 1-3 business days. Poshmark buyers expect fast fulfillment, so reliability here is key.
The proof is in the pudding – Poshmark’s 2022 revenues were ~$343 million, up from $262 million in 2021. As its community of buyers and sellers expands, USPS enables Poshmark to scale.
A Deep Dive Into The Poshmark Shipping Flow
Alright, time to break down exactly how Poshmark leverages USPS to handle shipping:
1. Order Placed
First, a lovely buyer spots the perfect secondhand item in your Poshmark closet and hits that purchase button.
2. Poshmark Creates Label
Behind the scenes, Poshmark automatically generates a USPS priority mail shipping label addressed from you to your buyer, covering up to 5 lbs.
| USPS Class Used by Poshmark | Transit Time | Tracking? | Insurance? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Priority Mail | 1-3 business days | Yes | $50 of coverage |
Table: Poshmark leverages USPS Priority Mail for shipping
Priority Mail offers reliability at an affordable flat rate, making it a logical choice.
3. Seller Prints Label
Poshmark emails you the label PDF to download and print at home onto plain paper or sticky-back label sheets:
No need to have your own label printer – any basic consumer printer will do!
4. Seller Packages Order
Now comes your part – physically preparing the order for shipment based on Poshmark shipping guidelines:
Selecting boxes: Choose free USPS priority mail boxes sent to your address or picked up at the post office. Remove any old labels indicating hazardous materials. Reused cardboard boxes work too if sturdy and between certain dimensions.
🛑 Pro tip: For delicate items like jewelry or breakables, always box vs. using envelopes for added protection. USPS employees handle many parcels daily at rapid speed. It‘s sadly easy for items to get damaged in transit if not carefully packaged.
Padding: Protect your item with 2-3 inches of bubble wrap, packing paper, or fill packaging like Styrofoam peanuts on all sides. You don‘t want your beautiful used goods arriving broken or spoiled!
Labelling: Affix the Poshmark shipping label securely to the outside of package, making sure old labels are fully removed or covered up.
5. Drop Off at Post Office
Then simply drop off your package at any USPS location. Some even offer package pick-up services if going to the post office isn‘t feasible.
And just like that, your order is whisked away through the magic of USPS!
Buyer Experience With Poshmark Shipping
On the buyer side, the brilliance of Poshmark shipping shows through as well.
Your customer sees the $7.67 flat rate shipping cost before purchasing your item. No surprises!
After you ship with USPS, buyers receive email updates when their package enters the mail stream. Tracking notifications continue updating until the happy moment USPS delivers their new treasure.
By teaming up with USPS, Poshmark manages to make shipping brain-dead simple for sellers and provide an exceptional post-purchase experience for buyers. That‘s no easy feat in ecommerce.
Potential Hiccups (And How Sellers Can Troubleshoot)
That said, hiccups can arise, especially when first getting used to the Poshmark shipping flow:
Incorrect postage: If the system-generated label doesn‘t cover the package‘s actual weight, the order may get returned. Carefully weigh items before applying labels. If under-postage does happen, request an updated higher-value label through Poshmark. Just know the fee difference gets deducted from your profits.
Unsuitable packaging: It‘s sadly easy for delicate items to get damaged if packing isn‘t protective enough. Err on the side of caution with extra bubble wrap and support structures. Yes, even if it means a box seems huge for a tiny piece of jewelry!
Lost tracking: If a package displays as lost or missing in transit, USPS redirects after a certain period and the seller must resend a replacement item. To avoid losing earnings, make sure to add Shipsurance when creating new Poshmark listings.
While Poshmark + USPS takes hassle out of shipping, it does help sellers understand common pitfalls that can come up. Learn tips to avoid returns and lostmail headaches!
Wrapping Up On Poshmark + USPS
Selling secondhand goods through Poshmark continues accelerating, thanks largely to the platform‘s seamless USPS shipping solution.
As a seller, Poshmark takes care of the postage and labeling while buyers get affordable, fast fulfillment. By plugging into the vast USPS infrastructure, the resale marketplace can scale efficiently.
Yes – Poshmark does use USPS, now hopefully to your benefit! Let me know in the comments if you have any other shipping questions.
