Starting a home shipping business is easy and profitable. The delivery business is growing fast because more people shop online. You can start your shipping company from home with low cost.
Many successful shipping companies started from home. You don’t need a big warehouse or lots of money to begin. This guide shows you exactly how to start a shipping business from home in 4 simple steps.
Many people make good money with home-based delivery services. This guide shows you how to start in 4 simple steps.
Why Start a Home Shipping Business?
| Benefits | Details |
| Low startup cost | Start with $500-$1000 |
| Work from home | No office rent needed |
| Growing market | More online shopping daily |
| Good profits | Earn $2000-$8000 monthly |
| Flexible hours | Work when you want |
Step 1: Choose Your Shipping Business Type
Business Types and Costs
| Business Type | What You Do | Startup Cost | Monthly Profit |
| Package Forwarding | Help people ship internationally | $500-$1000 | $1500-$4000 |
| Local Delivery | Deliver packages in your city | $200-$500 | $1000-$3000 |
| Online Store Shipping | Ship products for online sellers | $800-$1500 | $2000-$6000 |
| Special Item Shipping | Ship fragile or valuable items | $600-$1200 | $2500-$8000 |
Package Forwarding is best for beginners. You help international customers buy from local stores. They use your address, you receive packages, then ship to their country.
Local Delivery works well in busy cities. You partner with restaurants, shops, and small businesses to deliver their products.
Step 2: Make Your Business Legal
Required Documents and Costs
| Document/Service | Cost | Time Needed | Where to Get |
| Business Registration | $50-$200 | 1-2 weeks | State website |
| Business License | $50-$400 | 1-3 weeks | City/county office |
| EIN Number | Free | Same day | IRS website |
| Business Insurance | $200-$600/year | 1-2 days | Insurance company |
| Business Bank Account | $0-$25/month | Same day | Any bank |
You need these documents to run a legal shipping business. Start with business registration and EIN number. These are most important.
Business insurance protects you if packages get lost or damaged. Get general liability insurance first. Add cargo insurance later when you handle expensive items.
Step 3: Set Up Your Home Workspace
Essential Equipment List
| Item | Cost | Why You Need It |
| Digital Scale | $50-$150 | Calculate shipping costs |
| Computer + Printer | $300-$600 | Print shipping labels |
| Packing Table | $100-$200 | Pack items safely |
| Storage Shelves | $150-$400 | Organize packages |
| Packing Supplies | $200-$300 | Boxes, tape, bubble wrap |
Shipping Software Options
| Software | Monthly Cost | Best For |
| Pirate Ship | Free | Beginners |
| ShipStation | $9-$59 | Small businesses |
| Shippo | $10-$40 | Growing businesses |
| Stamps.com | $18-$55 | USPS shipping |
Start with Pirate Ship because it’s free. It gives you discounted shipping rates and prints labels easily.
Setting Up Your Workspace
Pick a room in your house for your home delivery business. A spare bedroom or garage works well. You need good lighting and easy access to your front door.
Organize everything clearly. Label shelves and boxes. Keep packing supplies in one area. This saves time and prevents mistakes.
Step 4: Find Customers and Grow
Marketing Your Shipping Services
| Marketing Method | Cost | Time to See Results |
| Google My Business | Free | 2-4 weeks |
| Facebook Business Page | Free | 1-3 weeks |
| Local Business Visits | Free | 1-2 weeks |
| Online Marketplaces | Free-$50 | 1-2 weeks |
| Referral Program | 5-10% commission | 2-6 weeks |
Google My Business is most important. Set it up first. Many customers find local shipping services through Google search.
Visit local businesses in person. Many small shops need help with deliveries but don’t know where to find reliable courier services.
Pricing Your Services
| Service Type | Price Range | What to Include |
| Local delivery | $5-$15 per package | Pickup + delivery |
| Same-day delivery | $10-$25 per package | Rush service fee |
| Package forwarding | $8-$20 per package | Handling + shipping |
| International shipping | $15-$50 per package | Customs + tracking |
Price based on distance, weight, and speed. Charge more for same-day delivery and fragile items.
Growing Your Business
Month 1-2: Focus on getting your first 10 customers. Provide excellent service. Ask for reviews and referrals.
Month 3-6: Add new services like packaging or storage. Partner with more local businesses.
Month 6+: Consider hiring help or expanding to nearby cities. Invest profits back into better equipment.
Income Potential
Monthly Earnings by Hours Worked
| Hours per Week | Local Delivery | Package Forwarding | Online Store Shipping |
| 10-15 hours | $500-$1000 | $800-$1500 | $1000-$2000 |
| 20-30 hours | $1200-$2500 | $2000-$3500 | $2500-$4500 |
| 40+ hours | $2500-$5000 | $4000-$7000 | $5000-$10000 |
Your income depends on your location, services offered, and customer service quality. Shipping businesses in busy cities usually make more money.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Starting too big – Begin small and grow slowly
- Bad pricing – Don’t price too low or too high
- Poor communication – Always update customers about their packages
- No insurance – One lost expensive package can hurt your business
- Messy records – Keep track of all income and expenses
Success Tips
Provide great customer service. Answer questions quickly. Send tracking updates. Handle problems fast and fairly.
Build relationships with local businesses. They can give you steady work and refer other customers.
Use technology wisely. Good shipping software saves time and reduces mistakes.
Keep learning. The logistics industry changes often. Stay updated on new shipping methods and prices.
Quick Start Checklist
Week 1:
- Choose your business type
- Register your business
- Get EIN number
- Open business bank account
Week 2:
- Buy basic equipment
- Set up workspace
- Install shipping software
- Get business insurance
Week 3:
- Create Google My Business
- Make business cards
- Visit 10 local businesses
- Set up social media pages
Week 4:
- Get your first customer
- Process first orders
- Ask for reviews
- Plan next month’s growth
Conclusion
Starting a home-based shipping business is a simple way to earn money. The delivery industry is growing bigger every year, giving you more chances to find customers. You can succeed by offering good customer service, keeping prices fair, and making sure deliveries are on time.
Begin small, learn from your experience, and grow step by step. Many successful shipping business owners started from home with only basic tools. With a clear plan and steady effort, you can achieve the same success.