Shipping costs are expensive so reducing shipping costs can have a huge effect on the bottom line. When designing packaging it is important to keep shipments as light and as small as possible. For smaller shipments being sent to residences the USPS has special rates for shipments under 1 lbs. These rates are significantly lower than any other rates.
Shipments under 1lbs qualify for USPS first class rates. First class rates are just dependent on weight and incrementally decrease every ounce. Recently the USPS applied a zone based pricing system. This system charges higher rates to send to locations farther away, but the price difference is minimal. First class rates also take 1-3 days for delivery and all shipments come with tracking numbers.
First class shipments are a great deal but as soon as your shipment goes over 15.99 ounces your shipment is not eligible for these rates. If you can design your packaging and fulfillment in such a way that you can keep shipments under 1 lbs it will reduce shipping costs and save a lot of money in the long run.
