The Cheapest Way to Ship Masks and Other PPE

As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to rage on, the demand for protective face masks is at unprecedented highs. New companies are popping up every day offering masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE). However, millions of Americans are still clamoring to get their hands on them. As a result, Etsy CEO Josh Silverman even went so far as to urge all of Etsy’s sellers to pivot to making and selling masks exclusively instead of their normal items. If you’ve found yourself becoming a makeshift manufacturer and are looking for the cheapest way to ship your masks, you’ve come to the right place.

USPS First Class Package Service is the Cheapest Way to Ship Masks and PPE

Since masks are so lightweight, the cheapest option for shipping masks is far and away USPS First Class Package Service. First Class Package only runs shippers between $4-6 dollars, no matter how far away the package travels. Also, shippers must use their own packaging, and delivery also occurs within 1-4 business days (the maximum is usually 3 days, but COVID-19 has forced USPS to add an extra day to service commitments).

First Class Package is also the best option for shipping out PPE, as long as the package weighs less than 1 pound (16 oz). If the package ends up weighing more than that, your next best options will either be the Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope, or the Priority Mail Small Flat Rate Box. Of course, you’ll need to make sure the equipment fits inside. Some items, such as face shields are kind of bulky but lightweight, so the cheapest option for shipping these sorts of items will be likely be Priority Mail Cubic.

Get the Deepest USPS Discounts with Free Online Shipping Software

Whether you’re shipping your masks or PPE via First Class Package or Priority Mail Flat Rate service, doing it with free online USPS shipping software is the key to saving the the most money. Shipping software gives everyday users like you access to the deepest level of USPS discounts available, such as USPS Commercial Pricing (which USPS usually only gives to companies sending out 50,000+ packages a year). This level of discounts can save you up to 59% off of what you’d pay at the Post Office. If you plan on shipping out a lot of masks or PPE, those kinds of savings will definitely help you keep the most money in your pocket!

In addition to saving money, shipping software also gives you the ability to buy and print all your postage at home. The best options even allow you to schedule free pickups from your letter carrier, which means that you can ship your masks completely contactless. If you’re serious about practicing social distancing, signing up for free shipping software is a great place to start.

Our Nation’s Healthcare Workers Still Need Protective Masks, and You Could Help

Right now, it’s more than just the everyday consumer who needs access to protective masks and PPE. Our nation’s healthcare workers also need these items too…and perhaps in a much more urgent manner. Since civilians are buying up these products left and right, healthcare workers are currently facing a shortage of their necessary protective supplies. As a result, many of them are putting themselves in danger by simply showing up to do their jobs on the frontlines and battle COVID-19. So, if you have extra face masks lying around, we at Shipping School urge you to consider donating some masks and sending a care package to a healthcare worker.

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