How to Ship on Mercari: Guide + Pro Tips

Mercari is another great free app that’s awesome for buying or selling pre-loved clothes. This guide will teach you step by step how to ship on Mercari and answer all of the questions you have. Plus, a handful of awesome pro tips!

Coming from other apps such as Poshmark (hi bestie, here is a super helpful & awesome guide on nailing Poshmark), Mercari is set up a bit differently, and at first, isn’t as user-friendly.

Many new users (me included) have confusion and questions on how shipping works. The app itself isn’t as obvious to navigate as others and gives a bunch of options, which, hello, leads to more confusion. 

If you are new and want to learn how to ship on Mercari, this guide is for you! Let’s get started!

(If you haven’t signed up for Mercari yet, you can get $10 off your first order and $20 when you make your first $100 selling with my link – a win, win for both of us! 🙂 Visit this referral link to be automatically directed there. Thank YOU in advance! Cheers for supporting each other!)

Different Levels of Shipping: 

Once you open the app, navigate to the listing you’re creating. Scroll down to the section “Delivery.” Here is where you will insert your shipping address zip code, pick who pays for shipping, and the carrier/price you will offer. 

“Ships From”

Let’s start from the top. You will enter your five-digit zip code here of the address where YOU are. You can change this at any time you like. 

“Standard Shipping”

Here is where many Mercari users get confused about how to ship. Understandably so. Let’s break it down by the three different sections that pop up here.

1. How much does your item weigh? (Remember to add some weight for packaging)
   This is the most important step to nailing how to ship on Mercari. And, where a food scale comes in incredibly handy. 
   
   For a basic reference, if your item – including packaging – is under one pound (16 ounces) it will offer you similar to the below, which are the cheapest options.
   
   If your item is under three pounds, it will offer you the below. Even if your package weighs up to 2 lb 15 ounces…because, yes, we squeeze the most out of it as we can, obViouSly 💁  (also, IYKYK besties)
   
   Once you pick which carrier, click the blue button at the bottom that says “Select Carrier” to apply your choice. 
   
   

   Pro Tip:

   Since shipping prices go by general weight (i.e. one pound, three pounds, etc.) on Mercari, I always round up. Here’s the method I always follow:
   
   If your item weighs 10 ounces, select 15 ounces because it will charge you the same price, as long as it is under 16 ounces (one pound) and so forth. This gives you wiggle room to allow for sneaking an extra goodie into the package, like a super cute thank you note. 
   
   

   Which Carrier Is Best?

   Do you want your item to arrive faster or cost less? The choice is all yours. You can see from the above carrier options that offer longer ship times for a cheaper price. Or. You can get it there faster for more money. 
   
   Personally, I’d rather my item take more time and spend less on shipping. Unless I need it ASAP. I always opt for USPS, as it’s my favorite carrier and one I trust the most. Pick one that floats your boat and you’re golden. ☀️
   
   

   What is FedEx Smart Post?

   This is a great cost-effective shipping option that Mercari offers. Simply print out the label as you normally would and then drop your package off at a verified FedEx Smart Post location. Mercari can locate ones closest to your location, but retailers such as CVS, Walgreens, and more participate in this. 
   
   If you use FedEx Smart Post to ship on Mercari, be sure not to drop your package off at USPS. This is noted in your app and on the label, but sharing again here as a helpful reminder. 
   
   
2. How big is your item? (Optional) Note: Shipping carriers charge based on weight and size.
   This is the second option Mercari offers unders the shipping information. It asks for the item length, width, and height measurements.
    
   Personally, I’ve never bothered with filling any of this information out because it’s not required. Plus, you can get the shipping info a lot quicker from doing step one!
   

“Who Do You Want To Pay For The Shipping?”

This is super simple (yay) as it only gives you two choices. One, the buyer. Two, I’ll pay.

I almost always select “the buyer,” as I prefer them to cover the shipping costs. To me, this seems easier. Although, many buyers are enticed by free shipping (TBH who isn’t?) so you can decide to cover the costs and select “I’ll pay.” If you do this, I would build the cost of the shipping into the price of your item. This way, you are maximizing your profits. 🙂

Now You know

How to ship on Mercari! It will take a minute to adjust to Mercari’s shipping options, but once you get the hang of it, you will become a rockstar seller. I hope this step-by-step guide on how to ship on Mercari helped you. If it did, please let me know in the comments down below. Also, if you have more questions – ask away! I’m here to be your free resource 🙂