Want your own numbers? The Reverb calculator shows every fee and your profit as you type.
Open the Reverb US fee calculatorGuitars, basses and amps are big, heavy and fragile, and shipping them is often the single largest cost after the gear itself. Get it wrong and the profit disappears. Enter both what you charge and what you pay in the Reverb fee calculator.
What shipping really costs
A well-packed electric guitar in a proper guitar box often weighs 15 to 25 pounds once boxed. Carriers charge by dimensional weight, so the box size matters as much as the weight. Add a box, foam, bubble wrap and insurance.
Fees apply to shipping
Reverb’s selling fee and processing fee both apply to the shipping you charge. If you charge $45, about $3.70 goes to fees.
| Shipping charged | Reverb fees | Profit (bought at $550) |
|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $66.01 | $113.99 |
| $30.00 | $68.47 | $141.53 |
| $45.00 | $69.70 | $155.30 |
| $60.00 | $70.92 | $169.08 |
| $80.00 | $72.56 | $187.44 |
Charging less than your real cost comes straight out of profit. Charging more than it costs just to cover packing still pays fees on the extra.
Tips for shipping gear
- Ask a local music shop for spare guitar boxes; many give them away.
- Loosen the strings, protect the headstock and fill empty space so nothing moves.
- Buy insurance for the full sale value and keep photos of the packing.
- Use Reverb’s discounted labels where available, and compare with your own carrier account.
Offering local pickup
For heavy amps and expensive instruments, local pickup avoids shipping risk and cost. Make it clear in the listing.
For all fees, see Reverb fees explained. To set the item price itself, read how to price used gear on Reverb.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship a guitar?
Domestic shipping for a boxed electric guitar commonly costs $40 to $80 depending on distance, size and insurance.
Does Reverb charge fees on shipping?
Yes. Both the selling fee and the processing fee apply to shipping charged to the buyer.
Run your next sale through the calculator before you commit.
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