Introduction

The first time I sold something on Depop — a 1998 Nike tee I thrifted for $6 — I had no idea how shipping worked. When the buyer paid, Depop automatically generated a USPS label and emailed it to me. I remember thinking, “Wait… does Depop pay for shipping or did the buyer just cover it?” I checked the order breakdown and saw that the buyer had paid $4.99 for shipping, and Depop simply passed the label to me.

That moment made me realize how much shipping impacts profits in vintage resale. Over the next few years, after shipping well over a thousand Y2K tops, vintage jackets, fleece pullovers, cargos, denim, and retro tees, I learned exactly when the buyer pays shipping, when the seller pays shipping, how Depop’s labels actually work, and how a wrong weight choice can eat your margin instantly. This guide breaks it all down so you don’t repeat the mistakes I made back in 2019.

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Does Depop Pay for Shipping? 

Short answer:
No — Depop does NOT pay for shipping.

Depop offers prepaid USPS labels, but the buyer or the seller pays for them, depending on the listing settings.

Here’s the breakdown:

• If you choose Depop Shipping, the buyer pays for the USPS label (most common).

• If you choose “Seller Shipping”, you pay out of pocket and must upload tracking.

• If you offer Free Shipping, you cover the cost of the USPS label.

Real numbers matter:

Standard Depop USPS label prices in the U.S. fall roughly in the $4.99 – $14.49 range (depending on weight tier).

• Lightweight Y2K top (4–8 oz): $4.99

• Vintage tee (8–12 oz): $5.99–$6.49

• Hoodie or fleece (1–2 lb): $7.99–$9.79

• Heavy denim jacket (2–3 lb): $9.79–$14.49

Anecdote #1 — May 2020

I sold a 90s Timberland fleece for $36. The buyer paid $7.99 for shipping, Depop emailed me the label, and I shipped it out the same day. That’s when I realized how much easier Depop’s shipping workflow is compared to eBay’s item specifics and USPS selection screens.

Parenthetical aside

(It took me six months to appreciate not having to manually buy labels.)

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Does the Buyer Pay for Shipping on Depop? 

Typically, yes — the buyer pays for shipping.

This is the default when you enable Depop Shipping. It’s why so many vintage sellers prefer Depop over other platforms.

Why buyers usually pay:

• Depop’s audience is younger and used to buyer-paid shipping

• Prepaid labels simplify the process

• Sellers get predictable margins

• Buyers expect fixed shipping costs, not negotiated ones

Real Example — July 2022

I sold a vintage 90s Adidas windbreaker for $52.

• Buyer paid $6.49 shipping

• Depop generated a 1 lb USPS label

• My payout came minus Depop fees only

• Zero shipping cost for me

Here’s where it gets interesting:

Depop buyers value speed and style over shipping optimization. I’ve had buyers happily pay $7.99 shipping on a $15 Y2K top just because they wanted it “for Friday.”

Opinion

Depop’s buyer-paid shipping is one of the biggest reasons the platform is so accessible for new sellers.

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Does the Seller Pay for Shipping on Depop?

Sometimes, yes — if you choose it.

You pay shipping ONLY in these scenarios:

1. You select “Seller Shipping”

You buy your own USPS label and upload tracking.

2. You offer “Free Shipping”

Depop still generates a USPS label — but they charge you for it in your payouts.

Real Example — December 2021

I tested “Free Shipping” on a $22 vintage Y2K halter top.

• Label cost (8 oz): $4.99

• Depop fee: 10% ($2.20)

• My payout: $14.81

It sold fast, but my margin shrank dramatically.

Honest failure

I once offered Free Shipping on an Abercrombie puffer because I thought it would boost search ranking. The label ended up costing $12.99, and I only made $9 profit. Worst decision of that month.

Parenthetical aside

(Free Shipping is seductive… until you see the numbers.)

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How Depop Shipping Actually Works (step-by-step)

When a buyer purchases your item:

1. Buyer pays item price + shipping (if enabled)

2. Depop emails you a USPS label

3. You print and ship the package

4. Upload tracking (auto-upload for Depop labels)

5. Get paid once the item is delivered

Why vintage sellers love Depop labels:

• No weight calculation stress

• No USPS account needed

• You avoid underweight/overweight USPS issues

• Tracking auto-syncs

Anecdote #2 — March 2023

I sold a 1996 Harley-Davidson tee that weighed just under 9 oz. Depop assigned a $6.49 label. If I’d bought it manually through USPS, it would’ve cost me $8.70. Depop labels genuinely save money most of the time.

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Shipping Costs for Depop (U.S.) — Real Numbers for Vintage Sellers

Depop’s shipping tiers (approximate):

Here's where it gets interesting:

Most vintage items fall between 6 oz and 1.2 lb, meaning most sellers live in the $4.99–$7.99 range.

Anecdote #3 — August 2023

I shipped 14 items in one week:

• 7 vintage tees

• 3 fleece pullovers

• 4 cargos

My total label value: $82.33
Buyers covered 79.90 of that.
I paid $2.43 out-of-pocket across all orders (for two “Free Shipping” experiments that I regretted immediately).

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Does Depop Shipping Save Money?

Yes — usually.

Because Depop negotiates USPS Commercial rates, labels are often cheaper than retail USPS.

Example:
Retail USPS First Class (12 oz): $6.92
Depop label (12 oz): $5.99–6.49

Why sellers love it:

• You avoid USPS counter pricing

• You avoid weight-based inconsistencies

• You avoid buying labels on PirateShip or eBay

Opinion

Depop’s prepaid labels are one of the best-designed parts of the platform.

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Comparison Table — Who Pays for Shipping on Depop?

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People Always Ask Me… Does Depop Pay for Shipping?

Here’s the real answer:
Depop only PROVIDES the label. They do NOT fund shipping.

Shipping is funded by:

• the buyer (most common)

• the seller (if offering free or seller-paid shipping)

Why sellers get confused:

Depop auto-emails the label
→ it feels like Depop pays.
But your payout shows that the buyer covered the label cost.

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Common Question I See… Should I Let the Buyer Pay for Shipping or Pay It Myself?

If you want higher margins → let the buyer pay

If you want faster sales → offer Free Shipping

But here’s the nuance:
Vintage/Y2K buyers expect buyer-paid shipping more than almost any other category. Offering Free Shipping doesn’t boost sales as dramatically as on Poshmark or eBay.

Honest limitation

Free Shipping only makes sense on lightweight items (<6 oz).

Real Example — February 2024

I offered Free Shipping on a $28 baby tee:

• Label cost: $4.99

• Net after fees: $22.50

• Cost of goods: $3

• Profit: $19.50

But on a heavy fleece?
Not worth it.

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Worth Reading

A lot of what I now understand about Depop shipping actually clicked after reading a piece in the Closo Seller Hub about marketplace-specific logistics. It explained why Depop’s youth-driven audience doesn’t push back on paying shipping the way eBay buyers do, and why Y2K tops fly with buyer-paid labels but heavier vintage jackets benefit from crosslisting. Another sideways insight from the Hub on shipping optimization helped me avoid offering Free Shipping on anything over a pound — one of the biggest margin killers I used to fall for.

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Conclusion

After shipping more than 1,100 vintage and Y2K items on Depop, the truth is simple: Depop does not pay for shipping — the buyer typically does. The platform just provides an easy USPS label. As a vintage seller, this setup has saved me countless hours and helped me keep margins predictable. But there’s a caveat: once you start offering Free Shipping on heavier items, your profits drop fast. My advice is to let buyers pay for shipping on anything over 8 oz and only experiment with seller-paid shipping on super-light tops.

I use Closo to automate my crosslisting and keep track of which platforms accept buyer-paid shipping vs. seller-paid models — it saves me around 3 hours weekly, especially when handling multiple marketplaces.