GlossaryRates and surcharges
Flat rate shipping
Shipping priced at one fixed amount regardless of weight or distance, either a carrier box program or a seller's checkout policy.
Flat rate shipping has two common meanings. The first is a carrier product, such as USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate, where anything that fits in a specific box or envelope ships for one price within weight limits, regardless of destination.
The second is a checkout policy, where a seller charges customers one shipping price on every order and absorbs the difference between that price and the actual label cost.
Carrier flat rate packaging works best for small, heavy items going long distances. For light items or short distances, weight- and zone-based rates are often cheaper.
Learn more in our Multi-carrier shipping articles.
Buy, print and track shipping labels and customs documents across carriers from one place.