Who this is for
Facebook Marketplace sellers who ship items—or want to start. Whether you're new to shipping or looking to reduce costs, this guide covers the full process from label purchase to delivery confirmation.
Calculate your Marketplace fees
See shipping fees, selling fees, and your take-home per item.
The goal
Understand how shipping works on Facebook Marketplace so you can fulfill orders reliably, choose the right carrier for each item, and keep shipping costs from eating your margins.
Quick summary: How Facebook Marketplace shipping works
When a buyer purchases a shipped item through Facebook checkout, here's the process:
- You receive an order notification with the buyer's shipping address
- You package the item and purchase a shipping label (your own carrier)
- You upload the tracking number to Facebook
- You ship within 3 business days of the order
- Facebook releases your payment after delivery confirmation
Key numbers:
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Shipping deadline | 3 business days after order |
| Max weight | 50 lbs |
| Selling fee on shipped items | 10% of total (including shipping) |
| Payment processing fee | 2.9% of order total |
| Payment release | ~5 days after delivery confirmation |
Calculate your net profit after fees and shipping with our Facebook Marketplace Fee Calculator.
1. Shipping labels: What changed in 2025
Prepaid labels discontinued
In February 2025, Facebook discontinued prepaid USPS shipping labels for most sellers. Previously, sellers could purchase discounted USPS labels directly through Facebook during the checkout process.
Current status: Select sellers only
In September 2025, Facebook quietly reinstated prepaid labels for a limited group of high-volume sellers. There are no public eligibility criteria—you either see the option in your seller dashboard or you don't.
What most sellers do now
The majority of sellers purchase their own labels through:
- USPS directly at retail rates
- UPS or FedEx at retail or negotiated rates
- Pirate Ship for discounted USPS Commercial Plus and UPS rates (no subscription fee)
- Shippo, EasyShip, or similar shipping platforms
After purchasing a label, you manually enter the tracking number in the Facebook order details.
Calculate your Marketplace fees
See shipping fees, selling fees, and your take-home per item.
2. Shipping costs by carrier (2026 rates)
All major carriers raised rates in early 2026. Here's a practical comparison:
Lightweight packages (under 2 lbs)
| Carrier | Approximate Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| USPS First Class | $4–5 | Small, light items |
| UPS Ground | $9–12 | Not cost-effective at this weight |
| FedEx Ground | $9–12 | Not cost-effective at this weight |
USPS wins for anything under 2 lbs. It's roughly half the cost of UPS or FedEx at this weight.
Mid-weight packages (2–5 lbs)
| Carrier | Approximate Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| USPS Priority Mail | $8–15 | Consistent pricing, flat rate options |
| UPS Ground | $10–13 | Heavier items in this range |
| FedEx Ground | $11–14 | Similar to UPS |
USPS Priority Mail stays competitive here, especially with flat rate boxes. At 5+ lbs, UPS and FedEx start closing the gap.
Heavy packages (10+ lbs)
| Carrier | Approximate Cost (coast-to-coast) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| USPS Priority Mail | $20–35 | Predictable pricing |
| UPS Ground | $18–30 | Heavy items, distance shipping |
| FedEx Ground | $19–32 | Similar to UPS |
For packages over 10 lbs shipping long distances, UPS and FedEx often beat USPS. The gap widens as weight increases.
2026 rate increases
- USPS: Ground Advantage rates rose ~7.8% on average
- UPS and FedEx: Both implemented ~5.9% general rate increases
- Hidden surcharges: UPS and FedEx add residential delivery surcharges ($4.50–5.30) and fuel surcharges on top of base rates. USPS does not add separate residential or fuel surcharges, making its quoted price more predictable.
3. How Facebook's fees interact with shipping
Facebook's 10% selling fee applies to the total order amount, which includes the shipping charge.
Example calculation
You sell a $40 item and charge $10 for shipping:
| Line Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Item price | $40.00 |
| Shipping charged to buyer | $10.00 |
| Total order | $50.00 |
| Facebook selling fee (10%) | -$5.00 |
| Payment processing (2.9%) | -$1.45 |
| Your actual shipping cost | -$8.50 |
| Your net payout | $35.05 |
Notice that Facebook takes 10% of your shipping charge too. The $10 you collected for shipping actually nets you $8.55 after the selling fee and processing, but your label costs $8.50. You're essentially breaking even on shipping in this scenario.
Free shipping vs. buyer-paid shipping
Free shipping can increase buyer interest and message volume, but you absorb the full cost. Buyer-paid shipping lets you recover most costs but may reduce engagement.
A middle approach: price shipping into the item and list it slightly higher with "free shipping." Buyers often prefer seeing a single price, and you avoid the 10% fee applying to a separate shipping line item—though you'll pay the fee on the higher item price regardless.
4. Packaging requirements
Facebook doesn't publish specific packaging standards beyond requiring items to arrive in the condition described. Carriers do have requirements:
General packaging guidelines
- Box size: Use the smallest box that fits the item with adequate padding. Oversized boxes increase dimensional weight charges.
- Padding: Bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or crumpled paper for fragile items. Leave at least 2 inches of padding on all sides.
- Sealing: Use pressure-sensitive tape on all seams. Duct tape and masking tape aren't accepted by most carriers.
- Weight accuracy: Weigh items after packaging, not before. Packaging materials add weight that affects your label cost.
Common packaging mistakes
- Weighing before packaging: A 2 lb item in a box with bubble wrap might weigh 2.5 lbs, pushing you into a higher rate tier
- Reusing damaged boxes: Carriers can refuse packages in visibly damaged boxes
- Under-padding fragile items: You're responsible for damage caused by insufficient packaging, even if the buyer gets a refund through Purchase Protection
5. The shipping process step by step
After a sale
- Check the order details in your Facebook selling dashboard for the buyer's address and order total
- Package the item securely (see above)
- Purchase a shipping label from your carrier of choice or a discount service like Pirate Ship
- Enter the tracking number in the Facebook order by going to the sale and tapping "Add tracking"
- Drop off the package at the carrier location or schedule a pickup
- Mark as shipped in your Facebook dashboard
Shipping deadline
You have 3 business days from order confirmation to ship. If you miss this window:
- Facebook may automatically cancel the order
- Your account gets flagged for delayed fulfillment
- Repeated late shipments can restrict your selling privileges
Tracking requirements
A valid tracking number is required for all shipped orders. Without tracking:
- You can't prove delivery if a buyer files a claim
- Facebook won't release your payment until the delivery window closes (15–20 business days instead of ~5 days)
6. Getting paid for shipped items
Payment for shipped items follows this timeline:
| Event | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Buyer purchases item | Day 0 |
| You ship with tracking | Within 3 business days |
| Delivery confirmed | Varies by carrier/distance |
| Payment released | ~5 business days after delivery |
| Funds in your bank | 1–3 business days after release |
If tracking doesn't confirm delivery, Facebook holds payment for 15–20 business days from the ship date before releasing it.
7. Purchase Protection and shipping disputes
What Purchase Protection covers (for buyers)
Buyers can file claims within 45 days of delivery for:
- Item not received
- Item damaged in transit
- Item significantly different from the listing description
For unauthorized purchases, the claim window extends to 60 days.
What happens when a buyer files a claim
- Facebook notifies you of the claim
- You have 10 days to respond with evidence (tracking, photos, etc.)
- If you don't respond within 10 days, Facebook automatically rules in the buyer's favor
- Facebook reviews the evidence and makes a decision
Return shipping
When a return is approved under Purchase Protection, you're responsible for return shipping costs. You must provide a prepaid return label to the buyer. The original selling fees are not refunded.
Lost or damaged packages
- Lost in transit: If tracking shows the package was never delivered, the buyer will likely win the claim. Consider shipping insurance for high-value items.
- Damaged in transit: If the buyer provides photos of damage, they'll typically win. Your recourse is filing a damage claim with the shipping carrier.
8. Reducing your shipping costs
Use Pirate Ship or similar discount services
Pirate Ship offers USPS Commercial Plus and UPS rates without a subscription fee. Savings examples:
- USPS Priority Mail Cubic: Up to 40% off for small, heavy items (under 0.5 cubic feet)
- UPS Ground: Competitive rates for heavier packages
- Simple Rates: Flat-rate-like pricing based on weight, often cheaper than USPS retail
Choose the right carrier for each item
Don't default to one carrier for everything:
- Under 2 lbs: USPS First Class (cheapest)
- 2–5 lbs, fits flat rate box: USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate
- Small but heavy: USPS Priority Mail Cubic (via Pirate Ship)
- 5+ lbs, long distance: Compare UPS Ground vs USPS Priority Mail
- 10+ lbs: UPS or FedEx Ground usually win
Save on packaging materials
- Free USPS Priority Mail boxes: Order from usps.com (free, delivered to your door)
- Recycled boxes: Reuse boxes from online orders (remove old labels and barcodes)
- Dollar store supplies: Bubble wrap, tape, and tissue paper at lower cost
Consider regional selling
Shipping costs increase with distance (zone-based pricing). If you're not in a rush to sell, listing items as "local + shipping" lets local buyers pick up for free while distant buyers pay shipping. You'll save on carrier costs for most sales.
FAQ
How long do I have to ship an item on Facebook Marketplace?
You must ship within 3 business days of order confirmation. Missing this deadline can result in automatic order cancellation and account restrictions.
What carriers can I use for Facebook Marketplace shipping?
You can use any carrier that provides a valid tracking number—USPS, UPS, FedEx, or regional carriers. Since Facebook discontinued prepaid labels for most sellers in February 2025, you'll purchase labels directly from carriers or through discount services like Pirate Ship.
Does Facebook charge fees on shipping costs?
Yes. The 10% selling fee applies to the total order amount, which includes the shipping charge. If you charge $10 for shipping, Facebook takes $1 of that in fees.
How do I get paid for shipped items?
Payment is released approximately 5 business days after delivery confirmation via tracking. If tracking doesn't confirm delivery, Facebook holds payment for 15–20 business days before releasing. Funds then take 1–3 business days to reach your bank account.
What happens if a shipped item is lost?
If tracking shows the item was never delivered, the buyer can file a Purchase Protection claim within 45 days. You'll likely need to refund the buyer and file a separate claim with the shipping carrier. Consider purchasing shipping insurance for items over $50.
Can I offer free shipping on Facebook Marketplace?
Yes. You can set the shipping cost to $0 and absorb the cost yourself. This can increase buyer interest, but make sure to factor shipping costs into your item price to maintain margins.
What's the maximum weight for shipped items?
Facebook Marketplace supports shipped items up to 50 lbs. For heavier items, local pickup is the practical option.
Do I need to provide a return shipping label?
If a buyer's return is approved through Purchase Protection, you must provide a prepaid return label. The return shipping cost comes out of your pocket.
Next steps
- Calculate your net profit using our Facebook Marketplace Fee Calculator to see how shipping costs affect your margins.
- Generate a complete listing — title, description, and tags in 30 seconds with our Facebook Marketplace listing generator.
- Understand all the fees with our Facebook Marketplace fees breakdown.
- Optimize your listings with our Facebook Marketplace listing tips guide.
- New to Facebook? Start with our getting started guide for account setup and your first listing.
- Compare platforms using our Platform Comparison Calculator or read our Facebook vs eBay comparison to see which platform suits your products.
Calculate your Marketplace fees
See shipping fees, selling fees, and your take-home per item.
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Sources
- Value Added Resource - Facebook Marketplace Ends Prepaid Shipping Labels
- AIM Group - Facebook Marketplace Brings Back Prepaid Labels for Select Sellers
- LitCommerce - Facebook Marketplace Fees 2026
- MBial - Shipping on Facebook Marketplace: Seller's Guide
- OneShop - Facebook Marketplace Purchase Protection
- GoBolt - USPS vs UPS vs FedEx 2026 Comparison
- CLOSO - Pirate Ship vs USPS Rates
- Flea Market Flipper - Facebook Marketplace Shipping Guide
- Speed Commerce - UPS vs FedEx vs USPS 2026 Rates