Key Points:
- Shipping supplies are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, materials – and price
- Uline is a wholesaler, so it's like the Costco of shipping supplies
- Leading shipping companies like USPS, UPS, and FedEx offer free boxes, free shipping supplies, and cheap shipping boxes on most shipping services
As most online merchants discover eventually, shipping can be expensive.
Fortunately, cheap shipping supplies are easy to find and sure to lower your shipping costs. For example, free shipping boxes and cheap shipping boxes are available from top couriers like USPS. Plus, a range of retail options is at your fingertips when it comes to getting supplies like packing tape on the cheap.
Using Easyship is also guaranteed to save you money on shipping. 89% off all rates from all couriers, in fact. This is because we've partnered with shipping companies to get commercial-shipper discounts, and we pass these savings on to you as part of an all-in-one shipping platform.
Ready to grab up some affordable packing supplies for your online store? Here's a quick look at where to go.
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Where to Get Cheap Shipping Supplies
Shipping supplies are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, materials – and prices. If you're not careful, things can get expensive and drive your business expenses through the roof. Here are a few places to keep in mind as your shop for cheap shipping supplies.
Amazon
Amazon is the obvious place to buy cheap shipping supplies, but it's worth mentioning anyhow. Amazon sells a raft of shipping supplies at different price points, meaning that a bit of poking around can turn up some truly great deals.
This bulk package of packaging tape is $13.69 and saves more than $10 off the retail price of a single unit on comparable retailer sites. Buying in bulk is always a good idea when you can afford it because you get cheaper per-unit prices.
Doubtful of the brand in question? Take the time to read the customer reviews! Every Amazon shipping product will have at least a hundred or more reviews that can give you a sense of whether to buy or bypass this particular item.
Amazon is especially great for basic shipping items like cheap shipping boxes, packing tape, and poly mailers. If you're an Amazon Prime user, you'll save even more – and your shipping supplies will be delivered within a day or two at no delivery cost.
Uline
Uline is a standalone shipping supply and shipping label website. The company focuses on providing cheap shipping supplies to online merchants, so it's ideal for eCommerce businesses. Here's a better rare on Scotch packaging tape than even Amazon has to offer.
Uline is a wholesaler, so it's like the Costco of shipping supplies. If we buy in mega-bulk (72+ rolls), we can get our Shipping tape at more than half of what we would have paid on Amazon.
Uline may also be able to give you faster delivery than Amazon. This is because the company ships from 10 warehouses around the US. If you order before 6 PM, your order can be shipped that day for next-day delivery.
Online Labels
Online Labels is a shipping supplies company that specializes in shipping labels. The company also sells cheap shipping supplies that don't compromise on quality.
The best part of Online Labels is that you can customize your labels to your exact specifications. The company is also known for its competitive pricing. If you find another website that offers lower prices, Online Labels will slash their existing price by 10% to make sure you get the best deal.
How to Get Free Shipping Supplies
If you're looking to seriously slash your packaging costs, free shipping supplies are the way to go. Here are a few ways to get your shipping supplies for nothing.
Shipping Companies
Leading shipping companies like USPS, UPS, and FedEx offer free boxes, free shipping supplies, and cheap shipping boxes on most shipping services. You can order free boxes on the courier websites, or rock up the physical store location to use their shipping supplies.
Even if your parcel is heavier or larger than the packaging supplies they offer, you can always keep the free supplies for later. The savings may seem small at first, but they'll add up over time!
Local Businesses
This is another great option for those looking for cheap shipping supplies. Look around your area for local businesses that don't ship their own products. Many of them receive deliveries daily or weekly and will have plenty of shipping supplies to spare.
For example, businesses that sell computer accessories will often have boxes of various sizes, along with packaging materials. You can repurpose these for your own shipping, and help save the environment at the same time!
How Easyship Can Help
When it comes to saving money on shipping, making sure you have cheap mailing supplies if crucial. These expenses ad up quickly, so look for ways to get them at a discount, especially it you ship in high volumes. From cheap shipping boxes to packing supplies, these small savings can total to thousands of dollars at year's end.
Easyship is a no-brainer for online merchants that want to save on every shipment, every time. We offer over 250 shipping solutions – and each is discounted up to 89% off the rates on shipping company websites.
Sign up today to start saving on your shipping with Easyship!
Cheap Shipping Supplies FAQ
What is the cheapest packing material?
The cheapest packing material is whatever you can get for free. This might be tissue paper, foam peanuts, or clean newspaper. You can often visit moving companies like U-Haul for free packing materials, as they often have excess supplies laying around.
Does Walmart sell shipping supplies?
Yes, Walmart sells shipping supplies. Most big-box retailers sell shipping supplies.
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