I will never forget the "Tape Mummy" incident of 2019. I had just sold my first bundle on Depop—three vintage sweaters to a buyer in Oregon. I didn't own a printer. I didn't own a scale. I guessed the weight (bad idea), wrote the address on a piece of notebook paper, and covered the entire box in clear packing tape to make sure it didn't rip. When I got to the post office, the clerk looked at my sad, shiny box and sighed. "You know you can just scan a code now, right?" That moment changed my life. I realized I was working harder, not smarter. In 2026, dealing with shipping labels shouldn't involve a roll of tape or a printer jam. If you are still stressing about logistics, you are doing it wrong. Depop has streamlined the process to a point where you can run a six-figure shop from your phone without ever owning a printer.
Does Depop Provide Shipping Labels? (The "Ship with Depop" System)
The short answer is yes. Depop offers a service called "Ship with Depop." When you list an item, you have two choices:
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Ship with Depop: They generate the label for you.
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Arrange your own shipping: You buy a label elsewhere (like Pirate Ship) and upload the tracking number.
Here's where it gets interesting... In 2026, nearly 80% of casual sellers use "Ship with Depop" because of the Seller Protection. If you use their label and the package gets lost in the mail, Depop is much more likely to cover the refund. If you ship on your own and the package vanishes, you are on your own to fight with the post office.
My Personal Preference: I use Depop labels for everything under 2lbs. It’s just easier. The tracking updates automatically in the app, meaning the buyer stops messaging me "Has this shipped yet?"
How to Get Shipping Label from Depop (The QR Code Revolution)
If you are wondering how to get shipping label from depop, the process has become incredibly streamlined. You no longer need to check your email or download a PDF if you don't want to.
The Step-by-Step Flow:
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Make the Sale: You get a notification "Item Sold."
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Go to the Receipt: Tap the receipt icon in the top corner of your profile.
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Click "Ship your item": You will see a button that says "Generate QR Code."
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The Drop Off: Take your package (sealed, but unlabelled) to the post office. Show the clerk the QR code on your phone.
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The Magic: They scan it, a sticker label prints out, and they slap it on the box for you.
Opinion: This feature is the single greatest update in Depop history. It saves me about $50 a year in printer ink and labels.
Depop Shipping Prices 2026: The Breakdown
Understanding depop shipping prices is crucial because if you guess wrong, you pay the difference. Depop uses a tiered system based on weight. As of early 2026, here are the approximate rates for USPS Ground Advantage (formerly First Class):
Honest Failure: I once listed a heavy denim jacket as "Medium" (under 1lb) because I wanted the shipping to be cheaper for the buyer. It weighed 1lb 4oz. The post office flagged it. It arrived at the buyer's house with a "Postage Due" slip for $6. The buyer was furious. I had to Venmo them the difference and got a 2-star review.
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Lesson: Never guess. Buy a $15 kitchen scale on Amazon. It pays for itself in one avoided mistake.
Are Depop Shipping Labels Prepaid?
Yes. When you select "Ship with Depop," the label is prepaid. However, who paid for it depends on your settings.
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Buyer Pays: The cost is added to their total at checkout. You never see this money; it goes straight to Depop to generate the label.
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Seller Pays (Free Shipping): You pay for the label. The cost is deducted from your earnings before the money hits your bank account.
Crucial Note: Since the labels are prepaid, they are specific to the weight class you chose. You cannot put a 5lb brick in a package with an "Extra Small" (4oz) label. It will either be returned to you or the buyer will be charged.
How to Do Free Shipping on Depop
Offering free shipping is a psychological trick. Buyers hate paying $8 for shipping, but they will happily pay $28 for a shirt that costs $20 + $8 shipping. If you want to know how to do free shipping on depop, you have to toggle it manually.
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In the Listing: Scroll to the "Shipping" section.
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Select: "Ship with Depop."
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Who pays? Change it from "Buyer" to "Me (Free shipping)."
My Strategy: I only offer free shipping on Bundles. In your shop settings, you can set "Bundle Shipping" to "Free." This encourages people to buy two items to save the $8. I use Closo Demand Signals to track if my free shipping items actually sell faster. Spoiler: They usually do, but only if the total price is competitive.
International Shipping Depop: The "Do It Yourself" Zone
Here is the bad news: does depop create shipping labels for international orders? No. "Ship with Depop" is domestic only (US to US, or UK to UK). If you want to sell to the world, you must choose "Arrange your own shipping."
How to handle it:
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Go to Pirate Ship: This is a third-party site that offers commercial rates.
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Get a Quote: Enter the weight and the destination (e.g., France).
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Set the Price: In your Depop listing, turn on "International Shipping" and enter the exact price Pirate Ship quoted you (e.g., $25).
Warning: International shipping is risky. Tracking can stop at the border. Customs fees are the buyer's responsibility, but they often get angry about them.
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My Rule: I only ship internationally for items over $100. It isn't worth the headache for a $20 t-shirt.
How Long Does Depop Take to Ship?
Technically, Depop gives you 5-7 days to ship before the buyer can request a refund. However, in 2026, the algorithm punishes slow shippers.
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The Sweet Spot: Ship within 3 days.
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The "Fast Shipper" Badge: You get this if you consistently ship in under 2 days. This badge increases sales conversion by about 10%.
If you use the depop shipping label, the tracking starts updating the moment the clerk scans that QR code.
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Pro Tip: Always wait in line and get a receipt. If you just drop it in the bin and it doesn't scan for 48 hours, the buyer gets nervous. The receipt is your proof of life.
Managing Labels Across Platforms with Closo
If you are like me, you aren't just selling on Depop. You are on eBay and Mercari too. Keeping track of shipping policies across three apps is a nightmare.
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eBay allows calculated shipping.
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Depop uses flat tiers.
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Mercari has its own weird system.
I use Closo 100% Free Crosslister to standardize this. When I import a listing from eBay to Depop using Closo, it asks me to map the shipping. I can set a rule: "If item is under 1lb on eBay, set to Depop Medium Shipping." This prevents me from accidentally listing a heavy coat with "Small" shipping on Depop just because I copied it from Poshmark (where shipping is flat rate).
I use Closo to automate my shipping profiles – saves me about 3 hours weekly of manually adjusting weight classes for every single cross-listed item.
Common Questions About Depop Shipping Labels
Can I reprint a Depop shipping label?
Yes. If you lose the label or the printer jams, go to the receipt in the app and click "View shipping label" again. You can reprint it as many times as you want (but you can only use it once).
What if I bought the wrong weight label?
If you sold a coat with an "XS" label, you cannot upgrade the label in the app. The Fix:
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Refund the buyer (this voids the label).
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Relist the item with the correct shipping weight.
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Ask the buyer to buy it again. It is annoying, but it is the only way to get a new depop shipping label with the correct weight.
Can I use a Priority Mail box for a Depop label?
Only if it is a Priority Mail label.
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Under 1lb: Depop uses "USPS Ground Advantage." You cannot use the free Priority Mail boxes from the post office. You must use your own plain box or poly mailer.
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Over 1lb: Depop often upgrades to Priority Mail. Check the label. If it says "Priority," you can use the free boxes. If it says "Ground Advantage," stick to a plain brown box.
Conclusion
Shipping used to be the barrier to entry for reselling. In 2026, the depop shipping label system has torn down that wall. With QR codes, prepaid tiers, and automatic tracking, the logistics are handled for you. Your only job is to weigh the item correctly.
Don't let the fear of "doing it wrong" stop you. Buy a scale. Get some poly mailers. And let the QR code do the work. And if you are ready to stop playing small and start selling big, you need to be on more than just Depop.
I rely on Closo to take my perfectly weighed and labeled inventory and push it to eBay and Poshmark, ensuring that my shipping station stays busy every single day.
Start cross-listing with Closo today—because the only thing better than one sale is three sales on three platforms.
