Shipping
Shipping Cost Comparison Calculator
Enter the rate each carrier quoted you for the same parcel, plus your packaging cost. The calculator totals each option and shows which carrier is cheaper and by how much.
The comparison only works if both quotes are for the same parcel: same billable weight, same destination zone and same service speed. Packaging cost is added to both sides so the totals reflect what the parcel really costs you to send.
Formula
Total cost per carrier = quoted carrier rate + packaging cost. Saving = the higher total − the lower total.
How it works
Get a quote from each carrier for the identical parcel, using the billable weight from the dimensional-weight calculator if the box is bulky. Enter both quotes and your packaging cost. The lower total wins; the difference is your saving on every parcel you send that way.
Worked example
USPS quotes $9.85 and UPS quotes $12.40 for a 4 lb parcel, with packaging at $1.50. USPS total: $9.85 + $1.50 = $11.35. UPS total: $12.40 + $1.50 = $13.90. USPS is cheaper by $13.90 − $11.35 = $2.55 per parcel.
FAQs
Why does this calculator ask me to enter the rates instead of showing them?
Carrier rates change by weight, zone, service and account discounts, and they change often. A built-in rate table would go stale fast, so this calculator compares the live quotes you get from each carrier for your exact parcel.
What is billable weight and why does it matter here?
Billable weight is the greater of actual weight and dimensional weight. Both carriers quote on it, so if your box is bulky, quote both carriers on the billable weight, not the scale weight, or the comparison will mislead you.
Should I compare the cheapest service from each carrier?
Compare services with similar delivery speeds. A slow USPS service beating a fast UPS service is not a fair comparison if your buyer paid for fast delivery.
Do account discounts change the result?
Yes, often by a lot. Commercial or account rates can flip the winner, so enter the rate your account actually pays, not the retail counter rate.
What else should I weigh besides price?
Delivery speed, tracking, included insurance, pickup options and reliability on your routes. A slightly dearer carrier that delivers on time protects your seller ratings.
Stand: October 2026. Pure arithmetic — no platform rate is used; enter your own figures.
Disclaimer: Results are estimates and general information only, not tax or financial advice. Your actual fees, shipping costs and profit depend on your marketplace account, category, shipping service and buyer location. Check the figures that apply to you before pricing a listing.
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