Example scenario · illustrative, not a real seller
An example jacket sells on a Thursday evening. Packed Friday and dropped off Saturday, it is scanned long before the fifth day, the deadline that keeps Depop Protection in play.
What you’ll get
- What changed for new US listings on October 28, 2026.
- Depop’s packing guidance.
- Where to find the label on each device.
- The 5-day and 10-day deadlines side by side.
- What Depop Protection covers.
Depop Shipping is now the default for every new US listing
Depop's US help page on shipping, checked November 8, 2026, says that from October 28, 2026, the "Other" shipping option is no longer available for new listings, and everything listed from that date uses Depop Shipping, a prepaid USPS label generated by Depop. Listings set to "Other" before that date keep it until they sell, but if you delete and relist one, it switches to Depop Shipping.
For most US sellers, shipping on Depop now means packing well and using the exact label Depop gives you.
Step 1: Pack the parcel properly
Depop's shipping guide asks sellers to:
- Use sturdy packaging, new or reused, without defects and clean if it has been used before.
- Fully remove or cover any old shipping labels, barcodes or hazmat stickers with blank paper and tape, because USPS could delay, return or charge a hazmat fee for packages categorized incorrectly.
- Choose an appropriately sized package; oversized packaging causes unnecessary waste.
- Pack items securely so they aren't damaged in transit, and check any carrier packaging guidelines.
| Item type | Packaging that usually works | Check |
|---|---|---|
| T-shirts, knitwear | Poly mailer | No old labels on reused mailers |
| Jeans, jackets | Larger mailer or small box | Weight after packing |
| Shoes | Box inside a mailer, or a sturdy box | Shoes don't move inside |
| Accessories, jewelry | Small padded mailer or box | Small items can't slip out |
| Fragile items | Box with cushioning on all sides | Shake test before sealing |
Step 2: Get the label
Depop says Depop Shipping via USPS is fully tracked, so there's no need to add tracking or mark the order as shipped manually. It describes several ways to get the label:
- By email: Depop emails a QR code to use at a USPS drop-off location, plus a downloadable label to print at home.
- iOS: My Depop, then Sold, select the item, then Ship your item now.
- Android: Selling Hub, then Sold items, select the item, then View shipping label.
- Web: profile picture, Your selling hub, Sold, then select the item.
Label rule: Depop says that if you select Depop Shipping, you must use the label generated on Depop. If you ship another way, you won't be covered by Depop Protection for sellers, and your order may be automatically canceled and refunded.
Step 3: Ship on time
Depop says that if you haven't shipped an order within 10 days of purchase, it will automatically be canceled and the buyer will receive a full refund. Depop Protection for sellers also requires that the item was sent using a Depop Shipping label within 5 days of the transaction date. Treat 5 days as your real deadline, and aim for much sooner. Allow time for scanning delays after drop-off.
| Deadline Depop describes | What it affects |
|---|---|
| Within 5 days of the transaction | Eligibility for Depop Protection for sellers |
| Within 10 days of purchase | Order automatically canceled and refunded if not shipped |
Step 4: Understand what Depop Protection covers
Depop's seller protection page says Depop Protection is available to US sellers who ship with a Depop Shipping label, for items lost or damaged in transit, when all conditions apply: the item was sold with the BUY button, isn't prohibited, was sent with a Depop label within 5 days, and went to the address on the sales receipt. It covers US sales up to $300, including item price, shipping and taxes, and treats a bundle as one transaction. It is not insurance, and it does not cover sales outside the BUY button or items handed over in person.
That address condition matters: if a buyer messages asking you to send the parcel somewhere else, don't. Shipping to a different address removes the protection.
Step 5: Legacy "Other" listings
If you still have older listings set to "Other," Depop says you must arrange and pay for tracked shipping yourself, add the tracking information to the receipt and mark the order as shipped. Tracking can't be amended once added, and if you don't add it within 10 days of the sale, the order is canceled and refunded. If you relist one of these items, it switches to Depop Shipping.
Worked example: a five-day plan
In this chosen example, a jacket sells on a Thursday evening.
| Day | Action |
|---|---|
| Thursday evening | Find the item, check it against the photos |
| Friday | Pack, remove old labels from the reused mailer, get the QR code |
| Saturday | Drop off at USPS; keep the receipt |
| Monday | Confirm the first tracking scan appears |
| Tuesday | Day 5 after the sale: protection deadline already met |
Shipping in two days leaves three days of margin for problems.
Common mistakes
- Reusing mailers with old barcodes or hazmat marks.
- Shipping with another label after choosing Depop Shipping.
- Sending to an address the buyer gives in messages.
- Leaving shipping until close to the 10-day cancellation.
- Assuming protection covers in-person handovers.
The Depop how to sell guide and the restricted items manual cover what can be shipped.
Use the label, ship within five days
For new US listings, Depop Shipping is the only route, and Depop Protection depends on using its label, on time, to the receipt address. Pack cleanly and ship fast.
Worked example · hypothetical, not a real seller
Keep the example in view
| Day | Chosen example action |
|---|---|
| Thursday evening | Find the item, check it against photos |
| Friday | Pack, cover old labels, get the QR code |
| Saturday | Drop off; keep the receipt |
| Monday | Confirm the first tracking scan |
| Tuesday | Day 5: protection deadline already met |
Before the next transaction
With JavaScript and browser storage, only checked-step IDs can stay on this device. No buyer details or amounts are saved.
Practical questions
Can I still use my own shipping on Depop in the US?
Depop says the “Other” option isn’t available for new listings from October 28, 2026. Older listings keep it until they sell.
What happens if I don’t ship in time?
Depop says orders not shipped within 10 days of purchase are canceled and the buyer is refunded.
What does Depop Protection for sellers cover?
Items lost or damaged in transit, up to $300 for US sales, when sent with a Depop label within 5 days to the receipt address.
Do I need to add tracking?
Depop says Depop Shipping via USPS is fully tracked, so you don’t add tracking or mark the order shipped yourself.
Do this next · one concrete move