If you ship regularly — whether you’re sending out customer orders, gifts to family, or the occasional online marketplace sale — you know how quickly those shipping costs can stack up. While seasonal promotions and peak discounts grab attention during the holidays, the reality is that savings opportunities exist all year long — you just need to know where to look.
With a little strategy, you can avoid overpaying for shipping and even earn cash back on your purchases. Here’s how to unlock shipping discounts any time of the year.
Tap into Cashback Apps for Everyday Savings
Cashback apps like Rakuten and Ibotta are not just for groceries or fashion purchases — they’re also great tools for shipping essentials. Both platforms regularly feature deals on shipping supplies from popular retailers, including discounts on mailers, tape, labels, and even printers for home-based shipping setups.
For example, Rakuten often runs promotions for office supply chains and major online marketplaces, giving you cash back on orders of shipping materials. Ibotta, meanwhile, sometimes features offers on packing tape or mailers from retailers like Walmart or Target. These savings might look modest per purchase, but over the course of a year, they add up fast.
The best part? These apps are free to use and simple to integrate into your regular buying habits.
Sign Up for Carrier Loyalty Programs
Most major carriers reward repeat customers. UPS offers the UPS My Choice® program, while FedEx has My FedEx Rewards for frequent shippers. These programs provide early access to shipping promotions, occasional discounts, and credits that you can apply toward future shipments.
USPS doesn’t have a formal rewards program, but they do offer Commercial Base Pricing for customers who purchase postage online. It’s an easy way to lower costs without committing to a high shipping volume.
It’s worth exploring these loyalty options, even if you ship only occasionally. Over time, the benefits compound.
Time Your Shipments Strategically
Shipping costs aren’t static — they fluctuate based on seasonality, demand, and carrier fuel surcharges. If you can, avoid peak periods when demand spikes and prices climb. For instance, shipping just before or after major holidays can help you sidestep rate hikes.
Whenever possible, consolidate shipments to reduce your number of packages, and take advantage of carrier promotional periods during slower months. Some carriers quietly roll out mid-year discounts to encourage off-peak shipping, so keep an eye on their announcements.
Negotiate with Carriers (Yes, Even Small Businesses Can)
You don’t need enterprise-scale shipping volume to unlock better rates. Small businesses, and even side hustlers, can negotiate rates directly with carriers if they show consistency and growth. If you find your monthly shipping volume climbing, reach out to your carrier rep to discuss pricing tiers.
For home shippers and families who may not have negotiating leverage, consider using third-party services that aggregate shipments and pass on savings.
Buy Shipping Supplies in Bulk
Whenever possible, stock up on essentials like boxes, mailers, and labels in bulk. Bulk purchasing typically brings lower per-unit prices, and when you layer in cashback app deals from Rakuten and Ibotta, you increase your savings even more.
Keep an eye out for seasonal sales or clearance offers at office supply stores, and resist the urge to buy shipping supplies at the last minute when prices are often higher.
