Shipping rates are the costs at which items are sent via the Postal Service. Rates may be calculated by package weight, size or the individual item. Postage stamps are also a form of shipping rates, as they represent a prepaid mark of approval indicating you have paid the required postage. Shipping rates may also represent the rate at which an item may be shipped to you from a company or another individual.
There are many variables that determine a shipping rate. This rate is usually determined by weight or contents of package. For example, the Postal Service offers a Media Mail option, which you may request if your package contains DVDs, CDs, books or other media items. The service also offers Priority Mail boxes, available in various sizes, which require a standard flat rate fee based on box size. Under this form of shipping, you will not be charged based on the weight of the package.
When sending a package, you may desire urgency of delivery. Under these circumstances, several options are available, including Express Mail, which ensures your package arrives overnight or within a few days. Express options are often priced significantly more than standard shipping rates. Due to holidays and other events, desired arrival date of package is often the determining factor for many customers when deciding the shipping rate.
Shipping rates are also present when ordering a product online. Most online shopping companies have standard shipping rates added to an order to cover all handling and postal expenses. Depending on the company, this charge may be per purchased item or a standard flat rate applied per order. Many companies have no charges for shipping or release coupon codes to eliminate shipping for one or more orders.
