This post is an explanation of the shipping policy for my shop on Etsy.  This is not a rant about Etsy, I promise. The bottom line is this: If you see an item in my shop marked “free shipping” that means you will not pay any shipping cost for that item.  I have not included the cost of shipping in the item price. I cover the postage fees at my own expense. Only select items – mostly earrings – are shipped postage-free. For the items not marked “free shipping” you are charged the actual cost of postage based on USPS rates for the package size, destination, and type of service. I no longer ship outside the US and do not offer priority mail express upgrades.  Read on to learn why.