Who this is for
Online sellers looking to cut shipping costs without paying for expensive software. Whether you ship 10 packages a month or 1,000, Pirate Ship's free platform gives you access to commercial shipping rates that used to be reserved for high-volume shippers.
The goal
Understand when to use USPS vs UPS through Pirate Ship, and pick the cheapest option for every package you ship.
What is Pirate Ship and why is it free?
Pirate Ship is a free shipping label platform that gives you access to commercial USPS and UPS rates. There's no monthly fee, no per-label charge, and no minimum volume. You pay exactly what the carrier charges—nothing more.
How do they make money? Carrier partnerships. USPS and UPS pay Pirate Ship for bringing them business. You get the discount; Pirate Ship gets a referral. It's genuinely free.
What you need to start:
- Email address (no credit card required to create account)
- Payment method when you buy your first label (card, PayPal, Venmo, or bank transfer)
- Package dimensions and weight
How much can you save with Pirate Ship?
Pirate Ship advertises savings up to 89% off retail rates. Real savings depend on package size, weight, and destination—but discounts are significant across the board.
USPS savings through Pirate Ship
| Service | Typical Retail | Pirate Ship | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Priority Mail (1 lb, Zone 4) | ~$9.00 | ~$7.50 | ~17% |
| Ground Advantage (8 oz, Zone 4) | ~$5.50 | ~$4.25 | ~23% |
| Priority Mail Cubic (small heavy) | N/A at retail | Available | Exclusive |
Priority Mail Cubic deserves special attention. It's priced by package dimensions, not weight—ideal for small, heavy items. You can't buy Cubic at the Post Office; it's only available through commercial platforms like Pirate Ship.
UPS savings through Pirate Ship
| Service | Typical Retail | Pirate Ship | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS Ground (5 lb, Zone 4) | ~$15.00 | ~$9.50 | ~37% |
| UPS Ground Saver (5 lb) | ~$12.00 | ~$8.00 | ~33% |
UPS rates through Pirate Ship are genuinely competitive. For heavier packages (5+ lbs), UPS often beats USPS—especially for longer distances.
USPS vs UPS: When to use each carrier
The right carrier depends on weight, size, distance, and how fast it needs to arrive.
Use USPS Ground Advantage when:
- Package weighs under 1 lb — Ground Advantage is almost always cheapest for lightweight items
- Delivery in 2-5 days is acceptable — Ground Advantage travels by ground, not air
- Shipping shorter distances (Zones 1-4) — USPS ground rates scale well for nearby destinations
- Package fits in a small box — No dimensional weight pricing under 1 cubic foot
Ground Advantage replaced First Class Package Service in 2023. It handles packages up to 70 lbs, but the sweet spot is under 1 lb where rates are most competitive.
Use USPS Priority Mail when:
- Customer expects 2-3 day delivery — Priority Mail travels by air
- Package is small but heavy — Priority Mail Cubic can save 20-40% vs weight-based pricing
- You're using Flat Rate boxes — Sometimes Flat Rate beats calculated rates for dense items
- Higher-value items — Priority includes $100 insurance by default
Use UPS Ground when:
- Package weighs 5+ lbs — UPS rates become competitive around 5 lbs and win decisively above 10 lbs
- Package weighs 70-150 lbs — USPS maxes out at 70 lbs; UPS handles up to 150 lbs
- Shipping long distances (Zones 5-9) — UPS ground rates scale better across the country
- Large, lightweight items — UPS dimensional weight pricing can be more favorable
Use UPS Ground Saver when:
- Lowest cost matters more than speed — 1-2 days slower than UPS Ground
- Non-urgent, low-value shipments — Good for restocks or bulk orders
- Package under 70 lbs — Ground Saver has the same weight limit as USPS
Weight and distance decision chart
Here's a quick reference for the most common scenarios:
| Package Weight | Short Distance (Zones 1-4) | Long Distance (Zones 5-9) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1 lb | USPS Ground Advantage | USPS Ground Advantage |
| 1-4 lbs | USPS Priority or Cubic | Compare USPS vs UPS |
| 5-10 lbs | Compare both | UPS Ground usually wins |
| 10-70 lbs | UPS Ground | UPS Ground |
| 70-150 lbs | UPS Ground (only option) | UPS Ground (only option) |
Pro tip: Always compare rates in Pirate Ship's calculator before buying. The "cheapest" option changes based on exact dimensions and destination ZIP code.
Priority Mail Cubic: The hidden discount
Priority Mail Cubic is one of the best-kept secrets in shipping. It's priced by package volume, not weight—perfect for small, dense items.
Cubic pricing requirements:
- Package must be 0.5 cubic feet or smaller
- Maximum 20 lbs
- Maximum 18 inches on any side
- Only available through commercial platforms (not at Post Office)
When Cubic saves money:
| Item Type | Weight-Based Priority | Cubic Priority | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Candles (small box, 3 lbs) | ~$12.00 | ~$8.50 | ~29% |
| Jewelry in padded box (1 lb) | ~$8.50 | ~$7.00 | ~18% |
| Small electronics (2 lbs) | ~$10.00 | ~$7.50 | ~25% |
If your products are small and heavy, always check Cubic rates before defaulting to weight-based Priority Mail.
What Pirate Ship doesn't do
Before committing, know the limitations:
No FedEx or DHL domestic — Pirate Ship only supports USPS and UPS for domestic shipping. If you need FedEx rates, you'll need another platform.
Limited integrations — Pirate Ship connects directly with Etsy, eBay, and Shopify. For Amazon, WooCommerce, or other platforms, you'll import orders manually via CSV or use their API.
No advanced logistics — If you need multi-warehouse routing, freight shipping, or enterprise features, look at ShipStation or similar platforms.
Insurance claims go through carriers — Pirate Ship offers InsureShield add-on insurance, but claims are handled separately from label purchases.
How shipping costs affect your margins
Shipping isn't just an expense—it's part of your pricing strategy. A $2 savings per label adds up fast.
| Monthly Volume | $2 Savings/Label | Annual Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 50 packages | $100/month | $1,200/year |
| 200 packages | $400/month | $4,800/year |
| 500 packages | $1,000/month | $12,000/year |
Before setting prices, calculate your actual shipping costs. Use our Etsy fee calculator or Shopify profit calculator to see how shipping affects your take-home.
For platform-specific shipping strategies, see our Shopify shipping guide or Facebook Marketplace shipping guide.
Getting started with Pirate Ship
- Create a free account at pirateship.com
- Connect your store (Etsy, eBay, or Shopify) or enter addresses manually
- Enter package details — weight, dimensions, destination
- Compare rates — Pirate Ship shows USPS and UPS options side by side
- Buy and print — Pay with card, PayPal, or bank transfer
No subscription to cancel. No commitment. If you don't ship, you don't pay.
FAQ
How much does Pirate Ship cost to use?
Nothing. Pirate Ship is 100% free with no monthly fees, no per-label charges, and no minimum volume. You pay only the carrier's discounted postage rate.
Is Pirate Ship cheaper than Etsy shipping labels?
Usually comparable. Both offer commercial USPS rates. The main advantage of Pirate Ship is access to UPS rates (which Etsy doesn't offer) and Priority Mail Cubic pricing.
What's the heaviest package Pirate Ship can ship?
USPS services max out at 70 lbs. UPS Ground handles up to 150 lbs. For packages over 70 lbs, UPS is your only option through Pirate Ship.
Does Pirate Ship work with Amazon?
Not directly. You can import Amazon orders via CSV or use their API, but there's no native integration like with Etsy, eBay, or Shopify.
When should I use UPS instead of USPS?
Generally when packages weigh 5+ lbs or when shipping long distances (Zones 5-9). Always compare both in Pirate Ship's calculator—the cheapest option varies by package.
Does Pirate Ship offer international shipping?
Yes. USPS Priority Mail International and First Class Package International are available. Rates depend on destination country and package weight.
Can I schedule package pickups through Pirate Ship?
Yes for USPS (free daily pickup) and UPS (may have fees depending on volume). Schedule directly through Pirate Ship after purchasing labels.
Rates and discounts current as of January 2026. Carrier rates change periodically—always verify in Pirate Ship's calculator before purchasing.