Shipping a t-shirt is easy and affordable, but if you want to spend as little as possible, using the United States Postal Service is most likely your best option.
how much does it cost to ship a t-shirt to usps? you have several options, and because the t-shirts are relatively light, they are all quite cheap. here’s what you need to know!
how much does it cost to ship a t-shirt through usps in 2022?
with t-shirts weighing between 3 and 6 ounces, depending on the fabric, there are a multitude of affordable options available to ship using the united states postal service in 2022. this includes large first class mail envelopes , which costs only $2.16, and can be covered by four stamps forever. There are also faster options, including flat rate.
for more information on the different options for shipping a t-shirt, either usps or ups is really cheaper and much more, keep going!
how much does a shirt weigh to ship?
The weight of the shirt you want to ship can make all the difference to your options, particularly how much you’ll pay.
That said, assuming a typical t-shirt, the kalamazoo spirit shoppe estimates that most basic t-shirts weigh between three ounces on the low end and six ounces on the high end.
they could even weigh more than six ounces, in some cases, such as for extra large sizes or a very heavy fabric.
but it’s safe to assume that a regular t-shirt, like the one you might find hanging on a rack at walmart or target, will hold a maximum of around six ounces.
now that’s important because something so light makes first class mail an option.
and while first class mail is one of the slowest ways to ship something, it’s also the cheapest. you could even have the postage with you right now.
Let’s look at that, along with other shipping options, in the next section.
what is the cheapest way to ship a t-shirt through usps?
the most economical way to send a t-shirt with usps would be to put it in an envelope and send it in a large first class envelope.
We calculated the cost of shipping a six-ounce T-shirt to a Zone 8 address (which would be like shipping it from one coast to another) and it came out to just $2.15 this way.
I don’t know about you, but I actually have that postage on hand right now: only four stamps forever (assuming the retail rate is 58 cents).
You’ll overpay that way – you can always take your envelope to the post office and shop exactly, but it would save you a trip if you already have stamps.
Let’s look at some of the other affordable ways to ship a six ounce t-shirt:
- first class package: $5.50 up to zone 8; this option is ideal if you prefer to be able to track your shipment because the first class package includes tracking.
- retail ground: $10.25 to zone 8; includes tracking but is slower and more expensive than first class.
- priority mail 2 day flat rate: when the shirt is folded, it would certainly fit in a small flat rate box, which is only $9.45, or a flat rate envelope, at $8.85.
It’s faster than any of the options above, includes $50 worth of insurance, and includes tracking.
Flat rate boxes and envelopes can be found for free at post offices or can be ordered online (completely free) and your mail carrier will deliver them.
- priority mail express or priority mail express flat rate: If you’re in a hurry, priority mail express next day or two days can get you there fast.
This isn’t the cheapest option, obviously; if you use your own box for express priority mail, shipping to zone 8 would cost you $40.90.
but since the t-shirts fit in an envelope, you can also take advantage of their flat-rate envelope, which costs $26.95.
I know the jump in price from priority mail to priority express mail is pretty big, but for overnight or two-day delivery, usps offers a great price.
is it cheaper to send clothes with usps or ups?
wait until you see the price difference between usps and ups – the postal service is much cheaper.
Assuming a six-ounce shirt once again, going up to 10:30 next day’s air costs a whopping $100.16. the next day at the end of the day is still $89.39.
compare that to usps priority mail express flat rate, which is only $26.95.
the second day is between $44.82 and $39.09, while the 3-day selection is $31.83.
And the cheapest option, ups ground, which takes about a week, is still $13.18, compared to the USPS First Class Large Envelope at $2.16.
some people find ups more trustworthy or trustworthy, after a bad experience with usps; that is fair and valid.
but to ship a t-shirt, you will spend a lot more using ups. the postal service is much cheaper.
can you send a shirt in a flat rate envelope?
As long as the shirt fits in the envelope, and most will, without needing lots of tape to keep it closed, you can use a flat rate envelope for postage.
In fact, if it were up to me, this is absolutely the method I’d use, as it’s cheaper than shipping a box.
How can you beat Priority Mail 2-Day Flat Rate Envelopes, which are only $8.95 to mail and include tracking and insurance?
plus, the t-shirts aren’t breakable or breakable, so you don’t have to worry about missing padding or bubble wrap in a regular envelope.
For more information, you can also see our posts on where you can drop off USPS packages, ship USPS clothing, and the cheapest USPS shipping method.
conclusion
shipping a t-shirt with usps is very affordable, costing as little as $2.16, or even less if the package is lighter. the more expensive options are still within most budgets, with flat-rate envelopes making shipping cheaper and faster.