USPS is offering free shipping boxes for sellers using Ground Advantage – but only to sellers using them to fulfill orders on Poshmark.
For decades, many small online sellers relied on free Priority Mail shipping supplies from the USPS. But the Postal Service has been pushing Ground Advantage (GA) since its introduction in 2023. The Poshmark deal could be an indication USPS will expand availability of GA supplies more broadly.
However, when asked, a USPS spokesperson provided us with the following statement:
“We appreciate you reaching out. As a matter of policy, USPS does not discuss the details of our agreements with our customers. Regarding your question about packaging, there are no plans currently to offer USPS Ground Advantage packaging supplies in our local retail offices or online. Customers can use their own packaging supplies for this service.”
Poshmark shared the news in a blog post on Monday, informing sellers it would stop offering USPS Priority Mail through its shipping-label system called Posh Post and would instead offer USPS Ground Advantage – in order to lower shipping costs. “For the first time in over a decade, we’re lowering the cost of shipping! Starting September 12, Posh Post drops from $8.27 to just $6.49 – our lowest rate since 2017.”
But as sellers noted, the lower shipping costs come with longer delivery-time windows. Posh Post currently advertises “Expedited 1-3 day delivery on all orders with USPS Priority Mail, excluding electronics. Orders containing electronics include standard 2-5 day delivery with USPS Ground Advantage.”
As of September 12th, according to Poshmark, “Orders will ship via USPS Ground Advantage, with delivery in 2 to 5 business days.”
Poshmark sellers who are tempted to use any Priority Mail packaging they have on hand to ship items with Ground Advantage labels should refrain from doing so – otherwise, the USPS may refuse Ground Advantage shipments with Priority Mail packaging at the Post Office counter or return it to sender. And after October 12th, sellers will incur a $5 USPS fee for using PM boxes for GA packages.
Poshmark updated its blog post a day after announcing the change due to some confusion on the part of sellers who reached out to USPS. It advised sellers in part:
We want to reassure you that:
- USPS is stocked with Ground Advantage packaging.
- We are actively working with USPS to improve the phone experience after reports of long wait times and confusion.
Poshmark also told sellers that Victory Packaging was an authorized contractor acting on behalf of USPS and that sellers would be required to provide information to confirm their status as Poshmark sellers when ordering the free GA supplies.
USPS should NOT be providing boxes for lower cost Ground Advantage for Poshmark!
USPS Priority Mail boxes and envelopes should be only available after paying a small fee per unit, with free shipping. This is to prevent heavy abuse of the free supplies. People are sold bold and stupid they post videos YouTube bragging about how to misuse supplies and even demonstrating how.
USPS supplies belong to USPS – not you! You are allowed to use them according to USPS regulations. Not for moving. Not for storing your inventory. Not for internal packaging. Not for UPS and FedEx shipments. Not for USPS services other than USPS state they are for.
You think USPS would have learned it lesson after Priority Mail tape. Some heads should not only roll at USPS but they should receive a lifetime ban form ever holding any federal job position.
Probably not free from USPS but Posh mark offering(paying) them like ebay does with their quarterly supplies. Would be nice though, ebay’s freebies aren’t as good as they use to be
When I first heard about this last week, I did a little bit of digging and learned that USPS has contracted with Victory Packaging to provide the GA boxes, so maybe this is why these boxes won’t be distributed at post offices?
If Poshmark is smart they will only send you as many boxes as you sold the previous month on their site.
I couldn’t find any reference to this on my Poshmark accounts or on USPS.com, so I search it. Here’s the info –
To get USPS supplies for Poshmark, you can follow these steps:
Contact USPS: Call 1-800-610-8734 and press 1 to request USPS Ground Advantage supplies.
1
Provide Information: Be ready to provide your closet name to confirm you are a Poshmark seller.
2
Email Option: Alternatively, you can email USPSPoshmark@victorypackaging.com with your contact details and the types and quantities of packaging you need.
1
Availability: USPS offers free Ground Advantage shipping supplies, including polymailers, padded mailers, and boxes, exclusively for Poshmark sellers.
2
Make sure to check the specific packaging options and quantities you need before making your request.
Now, for the stupid question, because someone is going to try this. Will the free packaging be required to ship with exclusively Poshmark shipping labels? Many Posh sellers also sell on other sites. I see a mess coming!