Are you wondering, “Does Poshmark pay for shipping?”
The short answer is No. BUT sometimes Poshmark offers discounted and even free shipping for buyers.
If you’re new to selling on Poshmark (or want to start), maybe you want to better understand shipping? You may even have an item that weighs more than the flat rate shipping covers, and you need to upgrade your shipping label.
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Or have you found the perfect top on Poshmark as a buyer, but went to checkout and was shocked at how much the shipping cost raises the price?
Whether you’re a seller or buyer, Poshmark shipping makes you question things.
Like, why do you need to upgrade shipping labels as a seller, and why is Poshmark shipping so expensive for buyers? Can you get free shipping on Poshmark?
Like other reselling platforms including Mercari and eBay, there are ways to save money on everything you buy on Poshmark.
In this article, I will answer all of these questions and give you some tips for dealing with Poshmark shipping as a buyer or a seller.
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How Does Shipping Work with Poshmark?
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Here’s the big question people want to know the answer to, “Does Poshmark pay for shipping?” The answer is No; Poshmark does not typically pay for shipping, although they do offer shipping discounts occasionally. The buyer typically pays a flat-rate for shipping up to a 5 lbs. If the package weighs more, then the seller must upgrade the shipping label and cover the additional cost.
PRO-TIP: If you know what you’re selling weighs more than 5 lbs, then include the cost of extra shipping into the price of the item(s) to avoid reducing your profit margins.
Once you make a sale and the item is paid for, Poshmark emails you a pre-paid standard shipping label for USPS Priority Mail. You must use this shipping label so that Poshmark can track the package.
If the package is stolen or lost, you get all your money back, so you aren’t out anything. It’s a guarantee for both the buyer and the seller.
Determining the correct total weight of your package is essential. If it weighs too much and you don’t upgrade your label, the U.S. Postal Service won’t ship the package since it exceeds the weight on the shipping label.
PRO-TIP: I highly recommend that any reseller, especially newbies, purchase a scale (This is the scale I bought and still use).
Who Determines Shipping Cost on Poshmark?
Poshmark shipping is a flat-rate fee of $7.67 for expedited shipping with the postal service on all orders. They go by USPS Priority Mail flat rate shipping rates.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship With Poshmark?
As long as the weight doesn’t exceed 5 pounds, the shipping fee for Poshmark is a flat rate of $7.67 for 1-3 day Priority Shipping. This is paid by the buyer. For packages over 5 lbs, the seller needs to upgrade the shipping label and over the cost. The one exception is Closet Clear Out days, which are usually Friday and Sunday. This is a special discount day, when sellers can drop an item’s public price by at least 10% (final price MUST be at least $10), and Poshmark will automatically offer the buyer a discounted shipping rate of $5.95. The difference of $1.72 is covered by Poshmark and not the seller.
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Here is the pricing chart for the upgraded shipping label:
| Package Weight | Label Upgrade Fee |
| Up to 5 pounds | No additional charge |
| 6 pounds | $4.50 |
| 7 pounds | $9.00 |
| 8 pounds | $13.50 |
| 9 pounds | $18.00 |
| 10 pounds | $22.50 |
Shipping costs for buyers and sellers are pretty fair considering the increased USPS Post Office rates. It’s actually a good deal for anything weighing over a pound, as typical shipping fees can cost more depending on where you are sending something.
You can cut down on shipping costs as a Poshmark seller by getting free shipping boxes and envelopes on the USPS website or at your local post office. I recommend shipping all your items in free supplies when possible to increase your profit margin.
You can keep various-sized boxes on hand so that you can ship sales quickly. That way, you will always have the right-sized box for your needs.
Why is Poshmark Shipping So Expensive?
Poshmark shipping may seem expensive to some people because the first-class mail rate for items that weigh less than a pound, especially 8oz or less, is much lower on other marketplaces like eBay and Mercari.
The shipping fee of $7.67 is great if you’re mailing multiple things or a heavier item. But if all you’re shipping is a small piece of jewelry, then it is more expensive as Poshmark only uses priority mail labels for shipping.
Here are some of the other reasons shipping orders on Poshmark is pricier, in some ways:
- Poshmark provides customer service, so this cost is added in.
- They track the packages and help handle customer complaints.
- Poshmark remits the taxes on your behalf.
- Overweight shipments cost even more.
Of course, no one wants to pay for shipping if they don’t need to, so there are some tricks to get discounted shipping on Poshmark.
NOTE: Shipping rates change, so this is the current amount for flat rate shipping at the time I’m writing this post.
How Do I Reduce the Cost of Shipping on Poshmark?
The best way to get a reduced shipping rate is to use some of Poshmark’s features to have the customer pay, Poshmark pay, and/or the seller pay for part of the cost of shipping. These features are the best way to get shipping discounts.
Did you know that buyers can negotiate with sellers to pay for all or part of the shipping on items? So, keep that in mind as a Poshmark customer (which many resellers are!) and as a buyer thinking of selling tactics (discover one way to nail your sales strategy).
Buyer Pays Poshmark Shipping
This is the standard shipping practice on the platform. Unless a Poshmark seller pays part of the shipping or unless it’s Closet Clear Out, then this is the default shipping setting.
Buyers can filter search results to offers with free shipping or discounted shipping. Keep in mind that many sellers won’t offer a discount for shipping. If they do, it may be a small discount, while some sellers offer free shipping on orders over $100.
Here’s an example breakdown if a seller pays for shipping:
Item Sales Price: $90
Poshmark Fee (20%): -$18
Shipping Cost: -$7.67
Total Profit: =$64.33 vs. $72
That’s a 12% loss without adding in the cost of purchasing the item or time spent sourcing, cleaning, steaming, photographing, packing and shipping.
So, while sellers have the option of providing reduced or free shipping on Poshmark, many may choose not to because it eats away at sales profits. The smaller the profit margin, the less likely a reseller will offer you discounted shipping.
Seller Pays Poshmark Shipping
While some sellers won’t give a shipping discount, they have the option to give buyers a discount or offer free shipping. Here are the options sellers have when listing items:
- $5.95 Shipping: The seller pays $1.72, and the buyer pays $5.95
- $4.99 Shipping: The seller pays $2.68, and the customer pays $4.99
- Free Shipping: The seller pays the full $7.67
- No Discounted Shipping: The buyer pays the full $7.67
Buyers can also get the same price for shipping if they bundle items. When you bundle items, the seller may reduce shipping as a nice perk.
It also helps sellers save on supplies when they can ship multiple items in one box.
Poshmark Pays Discounted Shipping
Poshmark doesn’t generally pay the shipping costs; buyers do. And sometimes sellers do. However, there are two exceptions.
The first is when Poshmark has flash sales on shipping costs. It’s pretty random and not on a regular schedule. But they will announce beforehand the exact time they will offer free shipping for a set timeframe. And lots of sellers will promote it in their closets or on social media.
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The other key exception is Closet Clear Out days, which are usually Friday and Sunday, plus some bonus holidays. This is one of my absolute favorite features to drive sales on Poshmark!
This is a special discount day, when sellers can drop an item’s public price by at least 10% (final price MUST be at least $10) and Poshmark will automatically offer the buyer a discounted shipping rate of $5.95. This usually lasts for 6 hours after the price drop. The difference of $1.72 is covered by Poshmark and not the seller.
Making Offers
Sellers can also provide a discount on shipping fees when they list items and when sending offers to potential buyers. They can use the “Make Offer to Likers” feature to send offers to people that have liked an item.
I think the “Make Offer to Likers” feature is a great way to reward repeat customers or convince “likers” to become “buyers.”
NOTE: As a buyer, you can negotiate an item or bundle’s price through the “Make an Offer” feature. But it does not allow you to request discounted shipping. This is why Closet Clear Out is so great; it’s one of the only times a buyer can ask a seller for a shipping discount, but Poshmark pays for it. Win-win!
How Do I Avoid Shipping Charges on Poshmark or Get Free Shipping?
As you can see, there are several ways to get a discount or free shipping on Poshmark as a customer.
- Shop during Closet Clear Out days (usually Friday/Sunday); you may have to ask seller for price drop, which is what triggers the shipping discount
- Negotiate with the seller
- Look specifically for listings that offer free or discounted shipping
- Accept offers sent to you that include free or discounted Poshmark shipping
- Look for Poshmark promotions and deals at certain times of the year
Final Thoughts on Does Poshmark Pay for Shipping
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Selling on Poshmark is a great way to make money and buying on the platform lets you score good deals and rare finds (which a lot of resellers do as well!). But shipping can be a pain.
Depending on sales prices, buyers can negotiate with sellers on the cost to ship items or even get free or reduced shipping in certain instances. It really just depends on the seller and their profit margin.
Regardless, as a customer, you can always get a deal on Poshmark on every purchase you make as compared to retail prices. Bundle to get items in fewer packages, and that could also save money.
As a seller, providing free or reduced shipping affects your profits, but it can be worth it to move inventory or reward buyers who frequent your closet.
And don’t forget to take advantage of Closet Clear Out, when Poshmark covers discounted shipping every week.