How to Find USPS Shipping Costs Online

If you are going to be shipping a package via the US Postal service, you can find out in advance just how much it will cost you. Knowing the cost of shipping in advance is very important if you are shipping an item to a customer and the customer pays for the shipping.

Instructions

1. Gather the information you will need. You will need to know the weight of the package and the zip code you are shipping from and to. If the package is large you will also need to know the package dimensions.

2. Go to the USPS website and choose "Calculate Domestic Postage" or "Calculate International Postage" on the left side of the page under rates and fees. You need the Domestic link if you are shipping within the US and the International link if you are shipping out of the country.

3. Select the country destination at the top of the page if it is something other than the United States.

4. Tick off the selection indicator next to the package that most closely resembles your package in shape and size. If you choose "Large Package" the site will prompt you to enter package dimensions.

5. Type in the zip code that you will be mailing the package from and the zip code that you will be mailing it to.

6. Click on the button at the bottom of the page marked "Continue."

7. Choose the mailing service you wish to use, mark off the selection button next to it and click "Add Extra Services" if you wish to see rates for optional services such as Insurance or Delivery Confirmation.