On TikTok, there are dozens of videos promoting websites, like Pirate Ship and Shippo, that claim to offer big savings to send out packages, including this video with more than 100,000 views.
But some people online want to know if discount shipping partner websites, like Pirate Ship and Shippo, are actually legitimate.
THE QUESTION
Are shipping partner websites like Pirate Ship and Shippo legitimate?
THE SOURCES
- U.S. Postal Service (USPS)
- USPS Office of Inspector General
- Pirate Ship
- Shippo
- An independent check of postage prices
THE ANSWER
Yes, shipping websites, like Pirate Ship and Shippo, that partner with the USPS are legitimate.
WHAT WE FOUND
Pirate Ship and Shippo are legitimate shipping websites that are listed as authorized partners of the U.S. Postal Service. This partnership gives them the ability to offer discounted shipping rates.
Shipping partners like Pirate Ship and Shippo get a discount on postage in exchange for helping the USPS with technology and customer service, according to a 2018 report by the USPS Office of Inspector General. Although the exact amount of the discount was redacted from the report, Pirate Ship and Shippo say customers can save up to 90% off retail shipping rates just by using their websites.
Pirate Ship and Shippo are typically geared towards small business owners, but anyone can use their sites – including those just shipping for the holidays.
On Pirate Ship, you can buy and print postage for all USPS shipping services by either typing in the address you’re shipping to, uploading a spreadsheet of addresses, or connecting your Pirate Ship account with an eCommerce platform. After buying your shipping label, printing it out and sticking it to your envelope, box or mailer, you can either:
- Drop off your shipments at your local post office
- Schedule a USPS pickup directly from your designated location
Shippo also allows users to create and purchase discounted shipping labels to print off and affix to their shipments before sending them out. Pirate Ship and Shippo do not provide shipping or packaging supplies, but the USPS has a large selection of free supplies available on its website.
VERIFY created free accounts on Pirate Ship and Shippo and tested them out to see just how much money we could save on postage in comparison to the USPS.
We found that postage for a small eight-ounce box shipped with USPS Priority Mail from Seattle, Washington, to Denver, Colorado, on Pirate Ship and Shippo came to $8.55 — about 16% cheaper than the Postal Service’s price of $10.20.
Meanwhile, a large nine-pound box shipped through the USPS Priority Mail service from Houston, Texas, to Washington, D.C., on Pirate Ship and Shippo came to $19.90 — a 13% savings over the post office’s $22.80.
Here are the USPS 2023 holiday shipping deadlines for delivery in time for Christmas Day.
- USPS Ground Advantage: Saturday, Dec. 16
- First-Class Mail (including greeting cards): Saturday, Dec. 16
- Priority Mail: Monday, Dec. 18
- Priority Mail Express: Wednesday, Dec. 20
Not every website advertising discounted shipping rates is legit. To make sure you don’t fall victim to a shipping scam, check out the complete list of authorized shipping partners on the USPS website.
The TEGNA Digital team contributed to this report.
The VERIFY team works to separate fact from fiction so that you can understand what is true and false. Please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter, text alerts and our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Learn More »