If you set your own shipping price on Depop and the postage costs more than you charged, you pay the difference. The buyer's payment is fixed at checkout. If you used Depop's shipping and picked a parcel size that's too small for the item, the carrier may refuse it or charge extra, so pack to the size you chose or contact Depop support before you ship.
Two different situations
1. You set your own shipping price. You told buyers shipping costs a certain amount, and the post office wants more. The buyer has already paid, so the extra comes out of your profit. You still have to ship the item.
2. You used Depop's shipping with a size option. Depop provides a label for the size or weight band you picked. If the packed parcel is bigger or heavier than that band, the label may not be valid for it. Depending on the carrier, the parcel could be rejected at drop-off, returned, or charged extra. See how Depop shipping works for sellers.
What to do with an order you've already sold
- Repack it smaller if you can. A tighter mailer or folding the item differently often brings it back under the size you chose.
- If you set your own price, pay the difference and ship. Asking the buyer for more money after they've paid isn't allowed, and asking them to pay off the app breaks Depop's rules.
- If it can't fit the Depop label's size, contact Depop support from the order before shipping, and explain the problem.
- Don't cancel just to avoid the cost. Cancellations can affect your account. See how to cancel an order on Depop.
Whatever you do, ship within the deadline. See what happens if you ship late on Depop.
How to get shipping right next time
- Weigh and measure the item packed, not loose, when you take photos.
- Pick the size band for the packed parcel. See the Depop shipping cost by size guide.
- If you set your own price, check the carrier's current rates before listing, and add a little for packaging.
- Build shipping into your pricing if you offer free shipping. See who pays for shipping on Depop and is shipping included in the Depop price.
Bulky items like coats, boots and bundles are where most sellers get caught out. See why Depop shipping is so expensive.
How much undercharging really costs you
A couple of pounds or dollars on one order doesn't feel like much, but across a month it can wipe out the profit on several sales. DepopAutomation.com's profit tracker records each item's cost, sale price and fees, so you can spot where shipping is eating your margin.
When you list through DepopAutomation, you set the parcel size or a custom shipping price as part of preparing the listing, and the AI listing tool writes the rest from your photos, with Google's Nano Banana model cleaning up the images. The bulk lister does a whole haul at once, and cross-listing posts to Vinted too.
Quick answers
Can I ask the buyer to pay more for shipping after they've bought? No. The price is fixed at checkout, and asking for extra payment, especially off the app, breaks Depop's rules.
What happens if my parcel is bigger than the Depop label size? It may be refused at drop-off or charged extra. Repack it to fit, or contact Depop support before shipping.
Can I cancel an order because shipping costs too much? You can, but cancellations can count against your account. Paying the difference is usually the better choice.
How do I avoid undercharging? Weigh and measure items packed, and choose the size band or shipping price for the packed parcel.
Conclusion
If postage costs more than you charged on Depop, the difference is on you, so pay it, ship on time and learn from it. Weigh and measure items packed, pick the right size band, and build shipping into your prices so the next sale keeps its profit.