The box (left) weighs 1.2 ounces while the bubble mailer (right) weighs only 0.2 ounces.
Always make sure that you’re packing your eBay shipments safely and securely. That said, there are a few easy steps you can take to shave off ounces or fractions of ounces from your shipment’s weight.
Sometimes a mere fraction of an ounce kicks you up to a more expensive shipping rate. The dreaded price difference between USPS First Class (for packages 13 ounces and under) and USPS Priority Mail (packages over 13 ounces) comes to mind.
Here are four simple ways you can decrease your shipping weight and save you money.
1. Use a padded envelope instead of a box
Padded envelopes are lighter than boxes, but if you’re afraid that the item will break in an envelope, just stick with your box and pay a bit more for shipping. Better safe than sorry.
2. Choose a smaller or lighter envelope
Some bubble mailers, even mailers with the same dimensions, weigh a few tenths of of an ounce more than others. Every bubble mailer brand is different, so it’s worth checking if you have any other slightly lighter envelopes lying around.
3. Cut down the padded envelope
If you’re using a padded envelope that’s twice the size of your eBay order, you might consider cutting the envelope in half to save a few tenths of an ounce in packing weight. The down side of cutting down envelopes is you’re cutting away part or all of the adhesive strip. When sealing cut down envelopes, make sure you carefully and thoroughly tape the envelope closed.
Right: air pillows weight 0.2 ounces
Middle: bubble wrap weights 0.5 ounces
Right: brown Kraft paper weighs 1.2 ounces
4. Find lighter packing material
Not all packing material is created equal. Brown Kraft paper or crumpled newspaper can make excellent packing material when weight is not an issue. But when every fraction of an ounce matters, you’ll probably want to select lighter packing material like: bubble wrap, shipping air pillows, or packing peanuts.