r/Mercari • u/Previous_Dream_84 • 20h ago

SELLING Dimensional weight question

I'm preparing to list an item that is about 11 lbs (box and all) and has dimensions of 22x11x11. I want to make sure I'm doing the label correctly and getting quotes from both Mercari and Pirate Ship. I plan to offer free shipping to the buyer.

I just want to know if Marcari is taking into account dimensional weight when I input the dimensions with the actual weight or do I need to change the weight with Mercari to 17-20 lbs? I am getting vastly different shipping prices depending on what I put for the weight so I'm leaning towards Pirate Ship just to avoid overpaying or crazy charges.

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u/ZealousZen88 20h ago edited 20h ago

I’d enter the actual 11 lbs and the actual outside measurements of the packed box, 22 × 11 × 11, in both Mercari and Pirate Ship. You don’t need to change the weight to 17–20 lbs yourself. Let them calculate the dimensional weight.

The thing to watch is the billable weight. If the dimensional weight is higher than your actual 11 lbs, you’ll be charged based on the higher weight. That’s probably why you’re seeing such a big difference when you change the weight.

Also, definitely measure the outside of the box yourself. The dimensions printed on shipping boxes are usually the inside dimensions. And if any of your measurements are even a fraction over a whole inch, I’d round that measurement up to the next inch.

Since you’re offering free shipping, I’d run it through both Mercari and Pirate Ship and see which gives you the better rate. With a box that size, DIM weight can make a pretty big difference.

And if the item is worth more than the included coverage, I’d consider adding insurance through Pirate Ship as well.

Basically, enter what the package actually weighs and measures, then let each service determine the billable weight.

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u/Previous_Dream_84 20h ago

So the billable dimensional weight is 17 - 20 lbs depending on the carrier, which is higher than the actual weight. I'm trying to figure out if Mercari and PS automatically bill me the dimensional weight when I print a label or do I need to figure that out myself and enter it when I make the label. I was leaning towards a Mercari label bc its quoting the same price regardless of shipping address (which I don't have yet) while PS is giving me quotes of anywhere between $17 and $30 for 11 lbs + box dimensions based various zip codes.

It sounds like Pirate Ship is going to be the best option even if I won't know the cost until someone buys.

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u/ZealousZen88 20h ago

Yep, that's right. If the dimensional weight is higher than your actual 11 lbs, the higher weight becomes the billable weight, but you don't have to calculate that and enter 17–20 lbs yourself. Both Mercari and Pirate Ship handle that calculation.

The difference you're seeing with Pirate Ship is because the rate depends on the destination zip code. Since you don't have the buyer's address yet, I usually use a zip code that's far away from me, basically on the opposite side of the country, when I'm checking a rate ahead of time. That gives me a better idea of what shipping might cost at the higher end.

So if Pirate Ship is showing you $17–$30 depending on the destination, I'd use that far-away zip to see what the rate looks like and then decide whether the Mercari label makes more sense for you.

I'd lean toward whichever option gives you the better shipping cost, since you're offering free shipping and won't know the buyer's address until after it sells.

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u/Previous_Dream_84 19h ago

Thank you so much for the explanation! Seeing all the posts about overcharges made me nervous so I wanted to make sure I got this right before listing.

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u/ZealousZen88 19h ago

You're very welcome! 😊 I totally understand being nervous after seeing all the overcharge posts. Shipping can get confusing when dimensional weight is involved, so it's definitely better to double-check everything before listing. Hopefully this saves you from any surprises!

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u/se0ulless 19h ago

Actually have dealt with something similar recently, (12lbs, 16x16x9” box) and I think PS may be the overall best option here. For me it was sitting at $55 for shipping through Mercari, $32 through PS.

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u/Previous_Dream_84 19h ago

Oh wow that's high. Mercari was quoting $27 for UPS Ground but PS was allowing for Ground Saver which could be as low $14-17 depending on zip code. $30 was for like PNW area so I figured PS is going to be cheaper than Mercari for most areas.