What "minimum price" means
For FT009, minimum price means the sell price needed to hit a target gross margin after product cost, handling cost, box cost, and estimated shipping are subtracted.
Why free shipping can hide packaging mistakes
If the product price includes shipping, the buyer may never see the label cost. That makes it easy for an oversized box or unnecessary filler to silently reduce seller profit.
A box that looks safer can still be a bad choice if it pushes billable weight higher than the price can support.
How to test a free shipping listing
- Enter the product cost and expected sell price.
- Enter the target gross margin you want to protect.
- Add the handling cost and each candidate box cost.
- Use your carrier or shipping account as the basis for the per-pound estimate.
- Compare the target sell price for each box, then verify final label cost before publishing.
Common decisions this helps with
Raise the listing price
If target sell price is above your planned price, the product may need a higher listing price.
Change the box
If one box creates a billable weight jump, another package may protect margin without changing the product.
Stop offering free shipping
If no viable box supports the margin target, buyer-paid shipping or a different product strategy may be safer.
Use estimates honestly
The calculator uses your rate-per-pound assumption. It does not know zones, fuel surcharges, residential charges, remote area fees, marketplace fees, or account-specific negotiated rates. The output is a planning estimate, not a final price quote.