I still have nightmares about a specific pair of vintage cowboy boots I sold in the winter of 2018. They were beautiful—distressed leather, heavy soles, absolutely iconic. I was so excited to make the sale that I listed them with free shipping, assuming it would cost me maybe ten or twelve dollars to send them from Ohio to California.
I was wrong.
When I got to the post office, the clerk weighed the box. It was over four pounds. The zone distance was maxed out. The total came to nearly $22.00. Since I had sold the boots for $40, and after Depop took their fee, I essentially paid a stranger to take those boots off my hands. I walked out of there with enough profit to buy a fast-food value meal, but not much else.
That experience taught me that understanding logistics is just as important as sourcing cool inventory. If you don’t know the math, you aren’t running a business; you’re running a charity.
The Reality of How Much is Shipping on Depop
When you are setting up a listing, you are presented with a choice that feels simple but is actually quite complex: "Ship with Depop" or "Ship on your own."
For beginners, I almost always recommend starting with "Ship with Depop" just to learn the ropes. The interface is clean, and it removes the headache of copying and pasting addresses. But you have to memorize the tiers.
Here is the breakdown I have taped to my wall near my scale (which I bought after the cowboy boot incident):
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Extra Small (under 4 oz): usually around $4.39. This is for jewelry, stickers, or very light silk scarves.
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Small (under 8 oz): roughly $5.39. Think t-shirts, light skirts, or swimwear.
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Medium (under 1 lb): around $7.99. This covers most tops, lightweight dresses, and shorts.
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Large (under 2 lb): approximately $12.49. This is your denim zone—jeans, hoodies, light jackets.
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Extra Large (under 10 lb): usually $14.49+. This is for those cowboy boots, heavy coats, or bundles.
Note: These prices fluctuate slightly based on USPS rate adjustments, so always check the current rate in the app.
Here’s where it gets interesting. While the convenience is high, the shipping prices Depop charges for the Medium and Large tiers are often higher than what you could get on the open market.
For example, if I am shipping a 13-ounce blouse, Depop might charge the buyer $7.99. If I used a service like Pirate Ship, I might be able to ship that same blouse for $5.50 or $6.00 depending on the destination. That is a two-dollar difference. Over 100 sales, that is $200 in potential profit or savings for your customer.
The "Ship on Your Own" Strategy
In late 2019, I switched almost entirely to "Ship on Your Own." I realized that to be competitive, I needed control.
When you choose this option, you are responsible for buying the label. You charge the customer a set shipping price (or offer free shipping), and then you go to a third-party site to buy the postage.
The tool I swear by is Pirate Ship. It gives you access to "Commercial Base Pricing," which is essentially the wholesale rate for postage.
Let’s look at a real example from last month. I sold a vintage wool sweater. It weighed 1 pound 4 ounces.
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Depop Shipping Price: Would have been the "Large" tier, costing the buyer around $12.49.
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My Method: I charged the buyer $9.00 flat rate shipping. I bought a label on Pirate Ship for $8.20.
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Result: The buyer saved money (making them more likely to buy), and I pocketed an extra $0.80 to cover the cost of my poly mailer and tape.
However, there is a risk. If you select "Ship on Your Own," you are not covered by Depop’s shipping protection in the same automated way. You must input the tracking number into the app immediately. If you forget and the buyer claims they never got it, you have no leg to stand on.
How to Change Shipping Price on Depop
One of the most frustrating things about the platform interface is that it isn't always intuitive. I often see sellers asking how to change shipping price on depop after they have already drafted the listing.
The process is different depending on whether you are on mobile or desktop, but generally, you have to go into the "Delivery" section of your listing editor.
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Toggle the Shipping Method: If you are currently set to "Ship with Depop" and you want to set a custom price, you have to tap "Ship on your own."
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Input the Price: A field will appear asking for the national shipping price. This is where you type in your flat rate (e.g., $6.50).
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The Parcel Size: Even if you ship on your own, Depop asks for the rough size. This is mostly for their data; it doesn't restrict you.
Now the tricky part. If you have already published the listing and someone has it in their bag, changing the shipping price might not update for them immediately until they refresh their cart.
Also, you cannot change the shipping price on an item that has already been sold. I learned this the hard way in 2020. I sold a bundle, realized I had underestimated the weight, and frantically looked for an "edit" button on the receipt. It doesn't exist. Once the transaction clears, the contract is signed. You either eat the cost or refund the buyer (which risks a bad review).
International Shipping Depop: A Word of Caution
I have a love-hate relationship with international shipping Depop settings. On one hand, opening your shop to the world increases your customer base. On the other hand, it increases your anxiety.
In 2021, I sent a streetwear hoodie to France. I used standard USPS First Class International because it was the cheapest option (about $26). The package stopped tracking in Chicago. For three weeks, it sat in "In Transit." The buyer was messaging me daily. Eventually, I had to refund them $85 plus the $26 shipping. The hoodie arrived two months later, but I had already lost the money and the item.
If you are going to do international, here is my advice:
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Always charge more than you think. If the estimator says $25, charge $30. There are hidden costs, currency fluctuations, and insurance.
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Use UPS or DHL for high-value items. They are more expensive but far more reliable than standard post.
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Turn it on per item. Do not turn on "Worldwide Shipping" for your whole shop unless you are ready to do math for every single item. I only enable it for high-ticket vintage items where the buyer won't mind paying $40 for shipping.
The Hidden Trap of the Depop Fee
We need to talk about the depop.fee.
For a long time, Depop took their 10% cut from the total transaction amount, which included shipping costs if you did "Ship on Your Own."
So, if you sold a shirt for $20 and charged $10 for shipping:
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Total transaction: $30.
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Depop fee (10%): $3.00.
This meant you were paying a fee on the postage money, which is money you don't even get to keep because it goes to the post office. This is why many sellers prefer "Ship with Depop." When you use their labels, the shipping cost is charged directly to the buyer (usually), and the 10% fee is only calculated on the item price (in most regions/configurations, though this policy has shifted back and forth over the years, so always check the latest Terms of Service).
The platform recently removed selling fees for sellers in certain regions (like the UK and US in specific rollout phases), shifting the cost to buyers via a "Marketplace Fee." However, transaction fees (PayPal/Depop Payments) still apply to the total amount. You have to watch your margins like a hawk.
Tools That Saved My Sanity
I cannot stress this enough: stop guessing weights.
When I started, I used a kitchen food scale that maxed out at 5 pounds. It was fine for jewelry, but useless for coats. I eventually bought an Accuteck ShipPro scale. It cost me maybe $25, and it has saved me hundreds in postage due charges.
For packaging, I use EcoEnclose 100% recycled poly mailers. They are lightweight. A cardboard box can add 4 to 8 ounces to your package weight. A poly mailer adds maybe 0.5 ounces. When you are hovering right at the 8oz or 1lb cutoff, that difference changes your depop shipping price bracket.
And honestly, automation is key. I manage listings across multiple platforms. I use Closo to automate the cross-listing process—saves me about 3 hours weekly by keeping my inventory synced so I don't sell the same item twice.
Common Questions I See About Shipping
People always ask me: Should I offer free shipping?
My honest answer? No. Not unless the item is over $50. Psychologically, buyers love free shipping. But in practice, it kills your leverage. If a buyer wants to return an item because it doesn't fit, and you offered free shipping, you have to refund the full amount. You effectively paid for the shipping to them and got nothing back. If they paid for shipping separately, you usually only have to refund the item price (depending on the dispute reason).
I ran an A/B test on my shop in 2022. For one month, I did free shipping and priced items $5 higher. The next month, I lowered prices by $5 and charged shipping. My sales volume was identical, but my net profit was higher in the second month because I wasn't eating the overages on heavy items.
Common question I see: What happens if I use a Drop Box with a label that is underweight?
Don't do it. I know it is tempting. You printed a 4oz label, but the shirt is 5oz. You think, "The post office won't notice." They will notice. They have automated scanners now. One of two things will happen:
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They return the package to you (delaying shipping and annoying the buyer).
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They deliver it to the buyer with a "Postage Due" slip. The buyer has to pay the difference at their door. I had this happen to me as a buyer once. I had to pay $1.20 to get my package. I left the seller a 2-star review. It’s not worth the risk for a few cents.
The "Bundle" Conundrum
Depop shipping gets tricky with bundles. You have a setting in your shop called "Bundle Shipping." You have three options:
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No shipping discount: Buyer pays shipping for each item. (Safe, but discourages bundles).
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Highest shipping price: Buyer pays shipping for the heaviest item, the rest ship free. (My favorite).
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Free shipping: You pay everything. (Dangerous for heavy items).
I use the "Highest shipping price" setting. If someone buys a pair of jeans (Large shipping) and a t-shirt (Small shipping), they pay the price for the jeans. I can usually fit the t-shirt in the same mailer without bumping the weight class too drastically. It feels like a deal to them, but I’m not losing my shirt.
Comparison: Ship with Depop vs. Pirate Ship
Here is a quick breakdown of why you might choose one over the other.
Opinion: The Future of Shipping Prices
I suspect shipping prices Depop negotiates will continue to rise. Carrier rates go up every year in January. As a seller, you cannot absorb these costs forever.
I used to be afraid to raise my shipping prices. I thought people wouldn't pay $8 for shipping on a $20 shirt. But I realized that transparency is better. When I list an item now, I sometimes put a note in the description: "Shipping price is based on weight (1lb 2oz). I do not profit from shipping costs."
Surprisingly, buyers respect that. They know gas is expensive. They know the mail isn't magic.
Final Thoughts
Mastering depop shipping prices is a rite of passage. You will probably lose money on shipping at least once. Consider it tuition.
The goal isn't to make money on shipping (that's technically against the rules anyway), but to ensure shipping doesn't takemoney from your actual sale.
Start with the in-app labels until you get comfortable. Buy a scale. And please, for the love of vintage denim, do not guess the weight of cowboy boots.
You can do this. It’s just math, and math is solvable.
If you are looking to get serious about your reselling business, you need to check out the Closo Seller Hub for more advanced tactics on inventory management. Also, taking a look at our deep dive on cross-listing strategies can help you diversify where you sell, while our guide to customer retention ensures those buyers keep coming back.
