Shipping can look expensive next to a $2 packet of seeds. We understand that frustration. A small order still needs postage, protective packaging, a label, and someone to pick and pack it. Here is what those costs mean for our prices—and what we are doing to bring them down.
Today: qualifying U.S. seed orders of $25 or more ship free. Smaller orders recently moved from $4 flat shipping to live USPS rates. We plan to raise the free-shipping threshold to at least $35, at least temporarily; the current $25 threshold stays in place until we announce the change.
What it costs to prepare and ship an order
For July–September 23, 2026, our estimated fulfillment cost was $8.32 per shipment: about $6.11 for postage and $2.21 for picking, packing, supplies and warehouse-system fees. The $8.32 is the combined cost, not the price of a postage label.
When a customer's live shipping payment covers the postage, we still cover those other fulfillment costs. Seed costs, transaction fees, utilities and other overhead are additional. We also keep some varieties at break-even or a slight loss so more kinds of seed remain available.
From 2019 through 2023, we owners picked and packed without paying ourselves. Paid staff began in 2024. The charts therefore show no paid owner labor in those earlier years; that work still took time.
See the yearly costs and 2026 breakdown
| Period | Postage | Paid labor | Mailer + label | WMS | Total est. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $3.28 | $0.00 | $0.30 | $0.00 | $3.58 |
| 2020 | $3.35 | $0.00 | $0.30 | $0.00 | $3.65 |
| 2021 | $3.59 | $0.00 | $0.31 | $0.00 | $3.90 |
| 2022 | $3.91 | $0.00 | $0.40 | $0.00 | $4.31 |
| 2023 | $4.13 | $0.00 | $0.42 | $0.00 | $4.55 |
| 2024 | $4.42 | $1.50 | $0.41 | $0.15 | $6.48 |
| 2025 | $4.71 | $1.50 | $0.42 | $0.17 | $6.80 |
| 2026 Jan–Mar | $5.23 | $1.50 | $0.42 | $0.19 | $7.35 |
| 2026 Apr–Jun | $5.65 | $1.50 | $0.42 | $0.22 | $7.79 |
| 2026 Jul–Sep 23 | $6.11 | $1.50 | $0.43 | $0.28 | $8.32 |
| 2026 Jan–Sep 23 overall | $5.66 | $1.50 | $0.42 | $0.23 | $7.82 |
The January–September 23 estimate is $7.82 per shipment. The more recent July–September estimate is $8.32. Those are different periods, not two prices for the same label.
Before July 2025, postage is modeled from published commercial parcel rates and our later recorded averages. Earlier supply costs use industry price indexes; paid picking and packing are estimated at $1.50 per order from 2024. These are planning estimates, not a reconstruction of every historical expense.
How much of the bill we cover
Across paid-shipping and free-shipping U.S. online orders together, our estimated contribution after customers' shipping payments has grown:
| Period | We cover per order | Share of fulfillment cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.37 | 30.1% |
| 2024 | $3.77 | 58.1% |
| 2025 | $4.39 | 64.5% |
| 2026 through September 23 | $5.17 | 66.1% |
In 2026 through September 23, 54.4% of our U.S. online orders had no shipping charge. Across all U.S. online orders, including those with a shipping charge, customers paid an average of $2.65 toward shipping. Compared with the $7.82 estimated fulfillment cost for that same year-to-date period, we covered about two-thirds.
Separately, we estimate that we have donated more than 80,000 seed packets so far in 2026.
See average shipping payments and free-shipping shares for every year
| Year | Average, paid shipping only | Average, including free shipping | Free-shipping share | Cost covered by us (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $7.25 | $6.96 | 4.0% | 0%* |
| 2020 | $6.46 | $6.17 | 4.5% | 0%* |
| 2021 | $5.75 | $5.69 | 0.9% | 0%* |
| 2022 | $4.59 | $4.45 | 3.0% | 0%* |
| 2023 | $4.74 | $3.18 | 32.9% | 30.1% |
| 2024 | $4.75 | $2.71 | 42.8% | 58.1% |
| 2025 | $4.95 | $2.41 | 51.2% | 64.5% |
| 2026 through Sep 23 | $5.81 | $2.65 | 54.4% | 66.1% |
These figures cover U.S. online orders and exclude point-of-sale orders. Shipping payments are after shipping discounts and before tax and later adjustments. Estimated cost absorbed compares average shipping receipts with the same period's modeled fulfillment cost.
*For 2019–2022, shipping receipts exceeded the modeled cash cost overall. That does not establish profit: unpaid owner time, seed costs, order mix and other overhead are outside this comparison.
Why we plan a $35 minimum for free shipping
Free shipping is paid for somewhere: through product prices, an order threshold, a membership fee, or the seller's margin. It can be a marketing tactic when the delivery cost is folded into higher packet prices. What matters is the full price for the amount of seed you receive.
Our threshold lets a larger cart spread the work and postage across more seed sales. Raising every packet's price would also raise the bill for gardeners placing larger orders. We want to preserve the savings from low packet prices while making free shipping manageable.
Holding fulfillment at the recent $8.32 estimate, free shipping uses 33.3% of a $25 seed order, compared with 23.8% of a $35 order. Offering free shipping on a $5 order would cost $3.32 more than the entire seed order before paying for the seeds themselves.
On a $5 order today, the customer pays live postage. If that payment covers postage in full, we still absorb an estimated $2.21 in other fulfillment costs. These examples hold cost constant; real costs vary by destination, weight and order size.
We plan to raise the threshold to at least $35, at least temporarily. We can revisit it if the shipping improvements we are working on succeed. Until a change is announced, the threshold remains $25.
Keeping seed prices low
By the end of 2023, we were preparing to reduce costs through better software, more organized systems and bulk purchasing. Those savings were modest, but they helped us lower packet prices and offer more discounts.
Our average packet selling price before discounts fell from $2.83 in 2022 to $1.90 in 2026, about 33% lower. These averages reflect what customers bought, so changes in the mix of varieties also matter.
See average packet prices by year
| Year | Before discounts | After discounts |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $2.41 | $2.25 |
| 2020 | $2.74 | $2.45 |
| 2021 | $2.73 | $2.64 |
| 2022 | $2.83 | $2.78 |
| 2023 | $2.47 | $2.32 |
| 2024 | $1.82 | $1.78 |
| 2025 | $1.84 | $1.63 |
| 2026 through Sep 22 | $1.90 | $1.80 |
The after-discount figures use reported gross sales plus discounts divided by packets ordered; they are not a returns-adjusted accounting margin.
Compare packet prices, seed counts and complete baskets
For three familiar vegetable varieties, 12 listings from major seed companies averaged about $3.24 per regular packet. Our corresponding packets are $2, about 38% less before shipping. This is a comparison of the listed products; it does not estimate every seed packet sold nationally.
Packet counts alone can be misleading. In the basket below, both sellers provide at least 1,000 beet, 180 zucchini, and 150 tomato seeds. That requires 19 packets from the comparison company and 17 from us because packet sizes differ.
| Variety | Our packet | Larger company A Free U.S. shipping |
Our saving per seed Before shipping |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Dark Red beet | $2.00 / 200 seeds 1.00¢ per seed |
$3.00 / 250 seeds 1.20¢ per seed |
16.7% |
| Black Beauty zucchini | $2.00 / 30 seeds 6.67¢ per seed |
$3.00 / 20 seeds 15.00¢ per seed |
55.6% |
| Cherokee Purple tomato | $2.00 / 25 seeds 8.00¢ per seed |
$3.50 / 25 seeds 14.00¢ per seed |
42.9% |
A lower packet price is not always the lowest price per seed. Another larger seller's 1,000-seed beet packet at $3.95 costs less per seed than our 200-seed packet at $2. Compare the amount you can use and the complete checkout total.
At $2 per packet, eighteen packets total $36 and would meet a $35 threshold. At $1.50, twenty-four total $36. A higher threshold or a discount can change how many packets are needed.
Selected larger-company prices in 2021 and 2026
| Seller / packet | 2021 | September 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larger company A · Detroit Dark Red beet | $2.75 | $3.00 | +9.1% |
| Larger company A · Black Beauty zucchini | $2.75 | $3.00 | +9.1% |
| Larger company A · Cherokee Purple tomato | $3.00 | $3.50 | +16.7% |
| Larger company B · Detroit Dark Red Medium Top beet | $3.95 | $3.95 | Unchanged |
These dated product examples are not company-wide inflation estimates. A complete annual competitor price history back to 2019 was not established.
Postage has risen more than once
Our recorded average postage rose from $4.83 in August 2025 to $6.18 in August 2026, about 28%. Those are the averages we paid across our shipments, rather than one published price for every destination.
In 2026, changes have included January pricing, an 8% temporary transportation adjustment beginning April 26, and July changes to published commercial weight tiers and some rural-destination pricing. Discounted provider rates and published USPS schedules can change differently.
The next holiday adjustment is scheduled for October 4, 2026–January 17, 2027. For commercial Ground Advantage parcels up to three pounds, the announced additions are 40¢ in Zones 1–4 and 55¢ in Zones 5–9. Those October charges are upcoming and are not included in our recorded averages through September 23.
See the 2019–2026 rate timeline, including temporary and seasonal charges
| Effective date | Change | Affected rates |
|---|---|---|
| January 27, 2019 | Commercial parcel rate change | First-Class Package Service used zone-based pricing. Published 8 oz commercial prices were $3.18–$3.63 across Zones 1–8. |
| January 26, 2020 | Annual rate change | Published 8 oz commercial parcel prices were $3.21–$3.67 across Zones 1–8. |
| October 18–December 27, 2020 | Temporary holiday charge | First-Class Package Service commercial postage: +25¢. |
| January 24, 2021 | Annual rate change | Published 8 oz commercial parcel prices were $3.46–$3.85 across Zones 1–8. |
| October 3–December 26, 2021 | Temporary holiday charge | First-Class Package Service commercial postage: +30¢. |
| January 9, 2022 | Annual price increase | First-Class Package Service commercial prices rose 8.8% on average. |
| October 2, 2022 | Holiday surcharge | Commercial First-Class Package Service: +25¢ in Zones 1–4; +40¢ in Zones 5–9. Ended January 22, 2023. |
| January 22, 2023 | Annual price increase | First-Class Package Service commercial prices rose 8.0% on average. The prior holiday surcharge ended. |
| July 9, 2023 | Ground Advantage introduced | Ground Advantage replaced First-Class Package Service and other ground services. Published commercial prices fell 0.7% on average. |
| 2023 holiday season | No holiday surcharge | USPS did not add a seasonal surcharge. |
| January 21, 2024 | Annual price increase | Ground Advantage commercial prices rose 5.4% on average. |
| July 1, 2024 | Stamps.com rate adjustment | Ground Advantage increases of up to $2.11 for some parcels; cubic prices also increased. |
| September 16, 2024 | Destination-based pricing | Higher rates for shipments to selected rural ZIP codes. |
| October 6, 2024 | Holiday surcharge | Commercial parcels up to 3 lb: +30¢ in Zones 1–4; +35¢ in Zones 5–9. Ended January 19, 2025. |
| January 19, 2025 | Annual price increase | Published commercial prices rose 3.2% on average. Stamps.com reported about +1.3% for some parcels under 1 lb, while its overall average fell 0.5%. |
| July 13, 2025 | Midyear price increase | Published commercial prices rose 4.7% on average. Stamps.com reported an average increase of 1.9%, concentrated on parcels under 1 lb. |
| October 5, 2025 | Holiday surcharge | Commercial parcels up to 3 lb: +30¢ in Zones 1–4; +35¢ in Zones 5–9. Expired January 18, 2026. Stamps.com separately reported a 4.6% average rate increase, with no end date announced. |
| January 18, 2026 | Annual price increase | Published commercial prices rose 9.6% on average. Stamps.com reported a 2% average decrease in its discounted rates, with the largest effects above 1 lb. |
| April 26, 2026 | Transportation surcharge | Temporary 8% increase to retail and commercial domestic package rates; scheduled to expire January 17, 2027. |
| July 12, 2026 | Published commercial weight tiers changed | The 4-, 8-, and 12-ounce rows moved to the 15.999-ounce price. Separately negotiated commercial rates were exempt. |
| July 15, 2026 | Stamps.com rural-destination change | Eligible lightweight parcels to specified rural ZIP codes moved to a higher weight tier. |
| October 4, 2026 (upcoming) | Holiday surcharge | Commercial parcels up to 3 lb: +40¢ in Zones 1–4; +55¢ in Zones 5–9. Scheduled to expire January 17, 2027. |
Published USPS averages and provider discounts describe different pricing groups. Do not add their percentages together. Recorded shipment averages already include the charges paid during that period.
Supplies, systems and the people doing the work
A shipping charge covers more than the carrier. It also takes supplies, paid staff and systems that organize picking, packing and dispatch. Bulk purchases can reduce one expense while another rises.
See packaging and blank-label costs since 2019
Between February 2025 and August 2026, our larger padded mailer rose from about 49¢ to 55¢, while the smaller mailer fell from about 32¢ to 29¢. Buying more blank labels at once brought their cost back to about 1.55¢ each.
See warehouse-system fees
We began adopting warehouse software in late 2023, with regular use starting in 2024. The comparable usage tier increased from 15¢ to 19¢ per order. A separate $179 monthly base fee began in the May–June 2026 billing period.
What we are doing to lower costs
We have worked directly with USPS for several months and are evaluating improvements with our shipping partners. USPS representatives and managers visited our facility again on September 23 to help move that work forward.
One planning example could reduce estimated fulfillment from $8.32 to about $4.36 for eligible orders—roughly $3.96 less, or 48%. At a $35 threshold, that cost would take 12.5% of seed revenue instead of 23.8%.
Lower fulfillment costs could give us room to revisit the threshold and protect low packet prices. Seed costs, transaction fees, utilities and other overhead would still need to be covered.
Our seed-packing machine offers another opportunity. We estimate about 270 packets per hour by hand versus 2,700 per machine-running hour. That is ten times the output during the packing step, with about 90% less active packing time per packet.
Our goal is to use some of those production savings for larger packets and better employee wages without raising packet prices. Larger packets may become possible by late 2027 to early 2028, depending on each variety's costs, actual throughput, setup, equipment expense and other operating needs. These future savings are not deducted from the historical fulfillment charts.
Value also includes service
Our rating is about 4.7 / 5 · Verified buyers, with customer reviews praising quick shipping and successful germination. Our recent average time to prepare an order is about 14 hours. Our usual guidance remains 1–2 business days, or 5–7 during peak season and major sales, before carrier transit.
Winter order volume has historically made fulfillment slower, and we keep improving our systems. As a small organization with limited resources, we sometimes make mistakes; we work to correct them, and customers speak with a real person.
Customer ratings and processing-time context
| Seller | Displayed score |
|---|---|
| Alliance of Native Seedkeepers | 4.7 / 5 · Verified buyers |
| Larger company A | 2.7 / 5 |
| Larger company B | 2.2 / 5 |
| Seller | Before shipment | Delivery guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Alliance of Native Seedkeepers | Usually 1–2 business days; 5–7 during peak season and sales |
Our policy allows 5–10 business days after shipment |
| Larger company A | 3–5 business days | Allow up to 10–12 business days from order receipt in the contiguous U.S. |
| Larger company B | 3–5 business days | Typically 3–14 business days after processing |
Ratings are a September 23 snapshot from different customer groups and scoring systems; they are not a controlled germination test. Processing time is the time before dispatch, separate from carrier transit.
Postal service changes and counterfeit labels
A September 2026 GAO report found that cost-cutting initiatives and other factors contributed to declining postal performance. Processing, transportation and collection changes can add uncertainty for gardeners waiting to plant.
The USPS Inspector General's September 10 audit estimated $3.1 billion in revenue lost to counterfeit postage labels from March 2024 through February 2026. It also identified costs from legitimate labels being misidentified.
Separately, reporting on the Postal Inspection Service's September 22 announcement described a seized website domain associated with millions of fake labels and an estimated $126 million in losses. Those investigation figures should not simply be added together, and they do not establish how much of a rate increase was caused by fraud.
We buy legitimate postage and are working with USPS on practical ways to keep delivery affordable and dependable.
Getting more value from one order
When practical, combine the varieties you need into one order, check the qualifying subtotal after discounts, and compare the full price for the amount of seed you receive. Customers near Colerain can visit the store and avoid parcel shipping. Our Shipping Policy has the current terms.
