Platform guide
Shopify
shipping, explained
The default US ecommerce platform, strongest native shipping of the four.
How it works natively
Shopify Shipping is included on the Basic plan and up.
- USPS, UPS, and DHL Express available via Shopify Shipping at discounted commercial rates (up to 88% off retail).
- Plan-level discounts: Basic gets ~0-25%; Shopify gets up to 77%; Advanced gets up to 88%.
- Rate-shop at checkout across selected carriers automatically.
- Print labels in-app or batch-print up to 20 orders at once.
- Free insurance up to $100 on every Shopify Shipping label.
Live rates
What a typical Shopify order costs
Most Shopify sellers ship 5 lb parcels. This is the current rate table for that weight band from New York, NY to Los Angeles, CA.
- 01
Ground FedEx 4d $23.33 +$14.15 - 02
Ground Saver UPS 5d $9.18 cheapest - 03
Ground Advantage USPS 5d $9.65 +$0.47
Close call Only $0.47 (5%) separates the cheapest from the runner-up. Free USPS home pickup or a closer drop-off can erase this gap. Pick by convenience, not price, at this margin.
When to upgrade
When Shopify's native shipping stops being enough
- Shipping over 50 orders/day: batch limits on Shopify Shipping slow down fulfillment. ShipStation or Pirate Ship batch 1000+ labels.
- Selling on multiple platforms (Shopify + Etsy + Amazon): unify orders in one dashboard via ShipStation.
- Need FedEx: Shopify Shipping does not include FedEx; third-party tool required.
- Fulfilling from warehouses other than your primary location: Shopify Shipping locks to one address; ShipStation handles multi-warehouse.
Our recommendation
ShipStation
$9.99/mo
Multi-carrier, multi-marketplace shipping automation for ecom.
Best for Shopify / Etsy / Amazon sellers juggling 50+ orders/week across multiple channels.
FAQ
Common questions about Shopify shipping
Q01 Is Shopify Shipping free?
Shopify Shipping is included at no extra fee with any Shopify plan (Basic and up). You pay carrier postage rates, which Shopify discounts. There is no per-label fee on top.
Q02 What are the actual discount percentages?
Shopify publishes these: Basic plan gets minimal discount (~0-25% off retail), Shopify plan gets up to 77%, Advanced plan gets up to 88%. The 88% number matches USPS Commercial Plus Pricing that Stamps.com and Pirate Ship also access.
Q03 When is it worth moving off Shopify Shipping to a third-party app?
Three triggers: you need FedEx, you sell on multiple platforms, or your daily order count exceeds ~100 (batch limits become a bottleneck). Below those thresholds, stay with the native tool.
Q04 Can I use my own negotiated UPS/FedEx account with Shopify?
Yes, via apps like ShipStation or ShipRobot. Shopify Shipping itself does not support external carrier accounts.