The Cheapest Way to Ship Board Games in 2026

Board games are a booming market — from Kickstarter campaigns to resale platforms, millions of board games ship annually. The challenge: board games are surprisingly heavy, boxes are large (DIM weight), and loose components can shift and damage during transit.

Shipping Costs

Ground shipping, commercial rates through atoship.

The DIM Weight Problem

Board games are boxy — they take up a lot of space relative to their weight. This triggers DIM weight pricing, where carriers charge based on size rather than actual weight.

Example: A game weighing 3 lbs in a 14" × 12" × 5" shipping box:

• DIM weight: (14 × 12 × 5) ÷ 139 = 6.0 lbs
• Billable weight: 6 lbs (not 3 lbs)
• You're paying for double the actual weight

Solution: Use the tightest possible shipping box. Every inch matters.

Packaging Board Games

Standard Method

Secure loose components — tape or rubber band compartment lids

Wrap the game box in bubble wrap or shrink wrap

Place in a shipping box just slightly larger than the game

Fill small gaps with paper or air pillows

Tape all seams of the shipping box

For Valuable or Collectible Games

Place the game in a plastic bag (moisture protection)

Wrap in bubble wrap

Use a shipping box 1–2" larger on each side

Fill gaps with packing paper

Mark as fragile

Component Protection Tips

• Card decks: Rubber band or place in ziplock bags
• Miniatures: Wrap individually in tissue or bubble wrap
• Game boards: Place face-to-face (printed sides together) if shipping multiple
• Dice and tokens: Bag them separately

Carrier Selection

USPS Ground Advantage

• Best for: Games under 5 lbs
• DIM factor: 166 (more favorable than UPS/FedEx's 139)
• Cost: $6–$14 for most standard games
• Advantage: Higher DIM factor means you pay less for boxy items

UPS/FedEx Ground

• Best for: Heavy games (5+ lbs), multi-game shipments
• Commercial rates through atoship: 40–89% off retail
• DIM factor: 139 (lower = more expensive for boxy items)

USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate

• Medium Flat Rate Box (~$16.10): Fits most standard board games
• No DIM weight — price is fixed regardless of size or weight
• Best for: Heavy games that fit in the box

Selling and Shipping Board Games

eBay

• Use eBay shipping labels or atoship for better rates
• Free shipping listings rank higher in search
• USPS Media Mail is NOT eligible for board games (games aren't "media")

BoardGameGeek Marketplace

• Ship within the timeframe agreed with the buyer
• Include tracking for all shipments
• Many BGG sellers use USPS Priority Mail for the included $100 insurance

Amazon

• FBA handles shipping for you
• FBM (seller-fulfilled): use atoship for competitive rates

Kickstarter Fulfillment

• Bulk shipping from your fulfillment center
• Use UPS/FedEx volume rates for large campaigns
• Consider a fulfillment partner for 500+ backer orders

Saving Money

1. Use USPS for the DIM Advantage

USPS's DIM factor of 166 (vs. 139 for UPS/FedEx) means lower costs for boxy, lightweight games.

2. USPS Flat Rate for Heavy Games

A game weighing 8 lbs fits in a Medium Flat Rate Box for ~$16 — often cheaper than weight-based pricing.

3. Commercial Rates via atoship

atoship offers up to 89% off. For games that cost $15+ to ship, savings of $3–$8 per package add up.

4. Minimize Shipping Box Size

The game box IS the packaging for component protection. Use a shipping box that's as close to the game box size as possible — 1" larger on each side is enough.

5. Ship Without Outer Box (Budget Option)

For low-value games, you can wrap the game box in a poly mailer or shrink wrap and ship it as-is. Saves weight and DIM cost but the game box will show wear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the cheapest way to ship a board game?

USPS Ground Advantage is cheapest for most board games — $6–$14 depending on weight and distance. USPS's higher DIM factor (166 vs. 139) favors boxy items like board games.

Can I ship board games via Media Mail?

No. USPS Media Mail is only for books, CDs, DVDs, and educational materials. Board games do not qualify. Using Media Mail for games can result in the package being returned or postage due.

How do I prevent board game components from getting damaged?

Secure loose components with rubber bands, plastic bags, or by taping compartment lids. Wrap the game box in bubble wrap and place in a tight-fitting shipping box with minimal void space.

How much does it cost to ship a heavy board game like Gloomhaven?

Heavy games (8–12 lbs) cost $16–$28 via ground shipping. A USPS Medium Flat Rate Box (~$16) may fit some games and is weight-independent — an excellent deal for heavy items.