# Swappa Shipping, Questions and Answers

> Wondering how to ship items for less? Looking for shipping tips and tricks? Learn more about shipping on Swappa.


## How do shipping addresses work on Swappa?

Swappa uses the shipping address the buyer enters during the checkout process. The buyers shipping address is then passed to PayPal, and per PayPal policies, sellers are required to ship to this address in order to maintain eligibility for PayPal protections.

Buyers can also add and edit their shipping address through the [My Addresses page](https://swappa.com/my/profile/addresses) on your Swappa profile.

** Can I change my address after checkout?** No, Swappa does not support changing or updating your shipping address after the payment has been sent. However, if the seller is comfortable shipping to a different address, the buyer can supply the address in a comment on the [private sale page](https://swappa.com/faq/answer/sale-page).

## When should an item be shipped after being purchased?

Sellers on Swappa are required to ship within two business days after the date a listing is purchased. 

| If the listing is purchased on: | The seller ships and provides tracking by the end of the day on: |
|---------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|
| Monday                          | Wednesday                                  |
| Tuesday                         | Thursday                                   |
| Wednesday                       | Friday                                     |
| Thursday                        | Monday                                     |
| Friday, Saturday or Sunday      | Tuesday                                    |

**Note:** Holidays do not count as business days. For example: If the listing is purchased on a Monday, and Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday is a holiday, the seller needs to ship and provide tracking by the end of the day on Thursday.

After an item has been shipped, the seller needs to share the tracking number in the “Shipping” section of the [private sale page](https://swappa.com/faq/answer/sale-page). Swappa also recommends that the tracking number be provided to PayPal via the transaction details page in your PayPal account.

Please note: Sellers are only expected to ship once they've been paid. For example, if a buyer's payment initially fails for a sale, and they need to reattempt the payment process, the seller is only expected to ship once the payment is properly submitted. However, if a payment is held by PayPal due to [temporary limitations](https://www.paypal.com/us/brc/article/funds-availability) with a seller's account, Swappa still expects the seller to ship within the given timeframe.

## What are the policies for shipping items here on Swappa?

Sellers on Swappa are responsible for the condition of the product until it's delivered to the buyer's shipping address. The policies outlined below are crucial when preparing to ship a device:

** Standard shipping: **

* With [standard shipping](https://swappa.com/faq/answer/shipping-time-frame), sellers are required to ship within two business days after the date they receive their payment.
* Sellers pay for standard shipping on Swappa. Sellers should account for this when setting an Ask Price during the listing creation process. 
* Standard shipping is defined as ground shipping with a tracking number and insurance that covers the full price of the listing.

** Express shipping: **

* Swappa no longer supports express shipping through our listing or checkout process. If you need an item faster than Swappa's free standard shipping, you can leave a comment for the seller on the listing asking them if they can ship with an express method. After making the purchase, you can arrange payment for the express shipping with the seller on the private sale page.
* Sellers: If you would like to offer faster shipping options on your listings, please include the terms in your listing description. Once the buyer purchases your listing, you can make arrangements for direct payment for express shipping.

** Additional shipping requirements are as follows:**

* Sellers should package all products carefully and with proper protection when shipping them to a buyer
* Sellers should only [ship to the address](https://swappa.com/faq/answer/change-address-after-payment) tied to a buyer's PayPal payment
* Sellers should follow any required policies as outlined by PayPal on their [seller protection page](https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/security/seller-protection)

More information and suggestions can be found in our [How to ship on Swappa](https://swappa.com/blog/swappa-how-to-ship/) blog post.

Please note:

* USPS no longer allows you to ship any pre-owned electronics (with a lithium battery) to be shipped via air. These items must now ship via a USPS ground service as outlined in [Publication 52](https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/welcome.htm).
* As a result of this change, shipping to "domestic" locations outside the continental United States, such as Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Alaska, may take longer for delivery because these shipments will need to travel via ground (water), rather than via air. 
* In addition, USPS no longer permits any pre-owned electronics with lithium batteries to be shipped to an APO, FPO, or DPO location.

## Who covers the cost of shipping?

Shipping costs are paid by the seller.

* Sellers pay for *standard shipping* on Swappa. Sellers should account for this when setting an [Ask Price](https://swappa.com/faq/answer/ask-price) during the listing creation process. Standard shipping is defined as ground shipping with a tracking number and insurance that covers the full price of the listing.

## What happens if I don’t receive my shipment?

Shipping issues are rare on Swappa thanks to our [detailed shipping policies](https://swappa.com/faq/answer/safe-standard-shipping-policies). However, if something does go wrong, inform the seller by leaving a comment on your [private sale page](https://swappa.com/faq/answer/sale-page).

Swappa’s general stance on delivery issues is as follows:

* If the shipping service doesn’t deliver the item to the proper location, or if the seller ships to the wrong address, the seller should escalate this with the shipping service via an insurance claim and eventually issue a refund if the shipment is deemed lost.
* If the shipping service confirms the shipment is delivered to the proper location, the buyer should escalate this with local law enforcement. For shipments that appear to be delivered in a residential or close business setting, please first check with your neighbors before opening a police report.
* For shipments that appear to be delivered to a freight forwarding/reshipper service, please reach out to that service and work with them.

## How does express shipping work on Swappa?

Swappa no longer supports express shipping through our listing or checkout process. If you need an item faster than Swappa's free [standard shipping](https://swappa.com/faq/marketplace/buyer-seller-shipping-costs), you can leave a comment for the seller on the listing asking them if they can ship with an express method.
After making the purchase, you can arrange payment for the express shipping with the seller on the [private sale page](https://swappa.com/faq/marketplace/sale-page).

** Sellers: ** If you would like to offer faster shipping options on your listings, please include the terms in your listing description. Once the buyer purchases your listing, you can make arrangements for direct payment for express shipping.

## If I sell more than one listing to the same buyer, can I combine shipping?

No. Although we can't stop you from shipping multiple items within the same package, we highly advise against it.

In order to remain eligible for PayPal seller protection, you must ship each item in its own package with tracking and full insurance. Once shipped, please upload the tracking information for each package to your private sale pages.

Similarly, please do not bundle several items into a single listing unless they are accessories such as video game controllers, camera lenses, phone cases, chargers, etc.

**Read More:**

- [How Shipping Works on Swappa](/shipping)
- [Bundling Multiple Items into a Single Listing](/faq/sell/multiple-items-single-listing)

## Where can I find the tracking number for an item I purchased on Swappa?

Swappa makes it easy to locate the tracking number for your purchase. 

On Swappa, sellers are required to ship and share the tracking number within [two business days](https://swappa.com/faq/answer/safe-standard-shipping-policies). Once the item has been shipped the seller will share the tracking number in the “Shipping” section of the [private sale page](https://swappa.com/faq/answer/sale-page). Buyers are also notified via email, which will arrive in your email inbox titled: “Your Swappa purchase has shipped”

## Can I ship to US territories like Puerto Rico?

Yes! US territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, etc.) are considered domestic destinations by USPS.

**USPS offers the same flat rates to US territories as they do to any US state.** This is significantly cheaper than UPS or FedEx, which typically charge 2-3 times more for shipments to these locations.

**Key points for shipping to US territories:**

* USPS treats territories as domestic mail, so you pay the same price as shipping anywhere in the continental US
* Flat Rate boxes work great for shipping electronics to territories
* A customs form is typically not required, but may be needed in some instances and can be completed online through USPS Click-n-Ship
* Many addresses in territories use PO Box numbers for delivery

**Pro tip**: Services like <a href="https://www.pirateship.com/" target="_blank">Pirate Ship</a> can make the customs form process easier if one is required. They offer free accounts with commercial USPS rates and handle the paperwork online.

For more information about which US possessions and territories are considered domestic, visit the <a href="https://faq.usps.com/s/article/What-US-Possessions-US-Territories-and-Freely-Associated-States-are-Considered-Domestic" target="_blank">USPS FAQ page</a>.


## More Questions and Answers

- [Marketplace FAQ](https://swappa.com/faq/marketplace.md)
- [Buying FAQ](https://swappa.com/faq/buying.md)
- [Selling FAQ](https://swappa.com/faq/selling.md)
- [Payments FAQ](https://swappa.com/faq/payments.md)
- [International FAQ](https://swappa.com/faq/international.md)
- [Shipping FAQ](https://swappa.com/faq/shipping.md)
- [Devices FAQ](https://swappa.com/faq/devices.md)
- [Warranty FAQ](https://swappa.com/faq/warranty.md)
- [ESN Check FAQ](https://swappa.com/faq/esn.md)
- [Trade-In FAQ](https://swappa.com/faq/trade-in.md)
- [AirPods FAQ](https://swappa.com/faq/airpods.md)