Mercari raises USPS, UPS, FedEx rates Oct 19, adds free trading-card shipping

Mercari will increase prepaid shipping rates for USPS, UPS and FedEx services starting October 19, affecting all new and existing listings that use Mercari Standard labels. The carrier says the new rates still provide an average 53% discount versus retail prices and include up to $200 of Shipping Protection per package. At the same time, Mercari is offering free First-Class Envelope shipping for trading cards up to 1 oz through January 4 2027.

Mercari’s 10% seller fee and 3.6% Buyer Protection fee are applied to the item price plus buyer-paid shipping, so higher shipping costs also raise the fees Mercari collects and can inflate reported revenue and GMV without a rise in merchandise sold.

Mercari had previously launched a 49¢ First-Class Envelope promotion in February as part of a limited-time shipping campaign.

What we know

Starting October 19, the new package rates will apply to all new and existing listings using buyer-paid or seller-paid Mercari Standard labels.
Mercari told users the changes are necessary because of rising carrier costs and says its prepaid labels will still offer an average 53% savings compared to retail rates, with up to $200 in Shipping Protection included.
The current $7.97 Best Rate for qualifying UPS and FedEx economy packages up to 5 lbs will shift to weight-based pricing topping out at $9.39, while some heavier UPS Ground and FedEx Home Best Rates will rise by more than 50%.
Trading card sellers are getting a very different deal, with Mercari offering free First-Class Envelope shipping for qualifying trading cards and paper collectibles weighing up to 1 oz through January 4, 2027.
Entertainment & Hobbies, particularly collectibles and trading cards, has been driving much of the recent improvement, with US GMV up 15% year over year in fiscal Q4 as Monthly Active Users returned to growth.