A plain cardboard shipping box sitting on a gray floor

Shipping a Sold Item Without the Stress: Packing, Labels and Pickup

ByDorothy Kemp

You’ve sold something online. Now it needs to get to the buyer in one piece. If shipping makes you nervous, you’re not alone, but it’s simpler than it looks.

Careful shipping earns good reviews, which help bring more sales. Over a month, those sales could help cover a bill such as a phone or streaming plan. Results vary, of course.

Step 1: Pack it so nothing moves

  • Use a sturdy box with room for padding. UPS’s packing guide suggests at least two inches of cushioning, such as crumpled paper or bubble wrap, between the item and every side of the box.
  • Fragile items like china or glass can go in a small box inside a bigger box, with padding between the two.
  • Cover or remove old labels if you reuse a box. USPS asks for this so the package doesn’t go to the wrong place.
  • Seal every seam with wide packing tape. USPS says not to use string or twine.

Step 2: Pick a shipping service

For most things, two US Postal Service options are worth knowing, as of October 2026:

  • USPS Ground Advantage: an economical choice for packages up to 70 pounds, usually delivered in 2 to 5 days. Tracking and up to $100 of insurance are included.
  • Priority Mail Flat Rate: if it fits in the box, it ships for one price anywhere in the US, up to 70 pounds. It usually takes 2 to 3 days, though that isn’t guaranteed. You can order free Flat Rate boxes online at the USPS Store; USPS says they usually arrive in 7 to 10 days.

Step 3: Print the label at home

If you sold on eBay, you can buy and print the label right from your sale, often for less than the Post Office counter price, according to eBay. Other selling sites have similar label tools.

You can also use USPS Click-N-Ship on usps.com. You can print on plain paper and tape it on. No printer? USPS can mail you a label for a small fee ($1.65 as of October 2026), or give you a QR code to show at the Post Office.

Step 4: Hand it off

You can drop the package at the Post Office. Or skip the trip: USPS picks up packages free from your home or mailbox during regular mail delivery when you schedule it online. Get help lifting anything heavy or awkward.

Once it’s sent, add the tracking number to your sale so the buyer can follow it.

Watch for buyer scams

The Federal Trade Commission warns sellers to never accept a check for more than the selling price, and to be wary of fake payment notices meant to get you to ship before you’re paid. Even if the money shows up in your account, a check can still turn out to be fake weeks later. Ship only after the selling site confirms payment, and never share a verification code sent to your phone.

Selling things you already own usually isn’t taxable unless you sell for more than you paid, but regular selling can be. If you sell often, check the rules for your situation. Extra money coming in can also matter if you get SSI, Medicaid or housing help, so see the SSA’s SSI pages or ask your caseworker.

More on Replace a Bill

Sources

Similar Posts