Packing & Shipping Guide

Everything you need to pack and ship your sell order — kept short. Pack first, then ship.

1 Pack your items

Every package needs

A sturdy box
No crushed corners. Any plain box works; a grocery-store box is fine.
Something to cushion
Bubble wrap — or newspaper, paper, towels…
Packing tape
Tape the middle seam where the flaps meet, then the two short seams at each end — the tape lines make an "H".
✓ Shake test: pack the games so they can't slide around, with about two inches of padding (bubble wrap, crumpled paper, or newspaper) on every side — nothing should rattle.
No bubble wrap at home? No problem. Anything soft and clean works: crumpled newspaper or paper, paper grocery bags, old towels, T-shirts, even clean socks in the gaps. The goal: every item cushioned, nothing able to move.

What are you shipping?

Loose cartridges
Boxed games
Disc games
Battery items

Shipping a mix? Tap through each — steps stack together in one box.

Loose cartridges NES, SNES, GBA, DS…

  1. Wrap each cartridge in a couple layers — bubble wrap, or fold it in newspaper/paper.
  2. Optional: a sandwich/zip bag first keeps the label clean. Not required.
  3. Nestle them in the middle of the box with cushioning all around.
Tip: a few carts? A padded envelope or small box stuffed with crumpled paper is perfect.

Boxed games box + manual

  1. Protect the surface first: one clean layer — paper towel, printer paper, or a clean paper bag.
  2. Then cushion — bubble wrap or crumpled newspaper around all sides.
  3. Lay it flat, never on edge.
Why the clean layer? Newspaper ink can rub off on a glossy box — one clean sheet between keeps it sharp and protects your payout.

Disc games PlayStation, Xbox, GameCube, Wii

  1. Press the disc firmly into its hub so it can't pop loose.
  2. Wrap the case in cushioning — bubble wrap or a few layers of paper/newspaper.
  3. Pack flat, not on edge.
Tip: a strip of removable (painter's) tape across the case keeps it from springing open if dropped.

Battery items Switch, handhelds, wireless controllers

  1. Keep the battery installed (never loose). Surround with 3 inches of cushioning all around — towels, clothing, or crumpled newspaper work great.
  2. Power the device fully off and pad it so nothing can press a button. Ground only — never a drop box, never air/Priority.
How it ships

On our UPS Ground label (orders of $50 or more from the lower 48): print the Battery Shipping Kit that comes with your label, tape the battery mark on the box next to the label, and hand the box to UPS — a UPS Store, Access Point or driver. Not USPS.

Shipping it yourself (under $50, or from Alaska, Hawaii or a territory): UPS Ground or USPS Ground Advantage from a carrier counter, at your own expense — then give us the tracking number at the link we email you. Postage isn’t reimbursed.

Details in the battery guide below.

Battery swollen, leaking, or damaged? Don't ship it — email us first.
2 Ship your order

$50 and up — free label

We pay the shipping. Your prepaid label is on your Order Details page. Print it and your box slip, tape both on top, drop off.

Under $50

You mail it yourself with any carrier and pay the shipping. Nothing is taken out of your payout. How it works ↓

Alaska, Hawaii & territories

Our free label doesn’t work from there, so you mail it yourself with any carrier and pay the shipping. How it works ↓

Items with batteries

Ground only. On orders of $50 or more from the lower 48 your free label is UPS Ground, with a printable battery kit; under that, or from AK/HI, you mail it yourself by ground. Full guide ↓

Keep every box under 50 lb. Heavier than that? Split it into more boxes — each box gets its own prepaid shipping label and its own box slip. You’ll enter the weight and size of each box when you’re done packing. As a rough guide, 50 lb is about 150–200 boxed games, or several hundred loose discs.
Two things go on your box — the label AND your box slip. (Several boxes? Each box gets its own label and its own slip, marked Box 1 of 3, Box 2 of 3…) Every order comes with a printable box slip (a quick ID tag for your order) on your Order Details page. Print it along with your shipping label and tape BOTH to the top of the box, side by side. It helps our warehouse find and check in your order fast — please don’t skip it, and don’t cover either barcode. Got a USPS QR code instead of a label? Nothing to print: write SELL ORDER and your order number on paper, tape it on top, and take the box to a Post Office counter.
How shipping works ▾
1
Confirm your quote — pick PayPal, Venmo, eCheck or Mailed Check, verify your ZIP, add optional insurance. Quote locks for 14 days.
2
Get your label + box slip — Most orders of $50 or more: print your box slip from your Order Details page, tick the confirmation, and your free shipping label appears right below it — usually within minutes. Mailing it yourself instead? (Orders under $50, or shipping from Alaska, Hawaii or a U.S. territory.) Your Order Details page shows you exactly what to do: our address, your box slip, and where to send your tracking number.
3
Pack carefully & tape both on top — pack as in Part 1 above, then tape the shipping label AND the box slip to the top of the box, side by side. Don’t cover either barcode.
4
Drop off — where your label email says: any USPS location (hand it to an employee or use a blue collection box), or a UPS Store or Access Point. USPS QR code? Counter only — the clerk scans it and prints your label; never a blue box. Battery items are different: take the box inside, hand it to an employee at the counter — never a drop box — and keep your receipt.
5
We track it — you get an email when it reaches us.
6
Inspect & pay: inspection usually starts within 2 business days and takes 2 to 7 depending on size; paid within 2 business days after.
Mailing it yourself — orders under $50, or from Alaska, Hawaii & territories ▾

Two kinds of orders don’t come with our free shipping label:

Orders under $50 — the free label starts at $50.
Orders mailed from Alaska, Hawaii, or a U.S. territory — our label can’t be used from there.

For both, it’s simple: you mail the box yourself with any carrier and pay for the shipping at the counter. We don’t pay you back for it — but we never take anything out of your payout either. Checkout tells you all this before you order, and your Order Details page walks you through each step after.

Under $50? You can get the free label instead. Add another game or two — once your total reaches $50, shipping is on us (as long as nothing has a battery and you’re not mailing from Alaska, Hawaii or a territory).
1
Print your box slip and address the box — both are on your Order Details page. Tape the box slip to the top of the box, and write our mailing address on the box (or print the page and tape that on).
2
Pack it and take it to the counter — pack your games as shown in Part 1 above. Then take the box to any post office, UPS or FedEx location. The person at the counter weighs it and tells you the price — usually about $6 to $15 for one small box. You pay them directly.
3
Send us your tracking number — it’s printed on your receipt. Use the button on your Order Details page (or just reply to your order email). That’s how we know your box is coming.
Two things to remember: mail it within 14 days of placing your order — after that the order cancels on its own and your locked-in prices expire (sellers in Canada: add your tracking within 14 days, see Terms 10.12). And keep your receipt: if the box gets lost or damaged, the claim goes through your carrier (we’ll help with any paperwork they need). Extra insurance isn’t offered on these orders — we can only insure labels we buy.
Items with built-in batteries ▾

Anything with a rechargeable battery sealed inside travels by ground only. On orders of $50 or more from the lower 48 states your free prepaid label is UPS Ground and comes with a one-page Battery Shipping Kit (packing steps and the battery mark to cut out and tape on the box). On orders under $50, or from Alaska, Hawaii or a U.S. territory, you ship it yourself by ground at your own expense — postage isn’t reimbursed. Carriers set their own rules for battery shipments — follow the kit, and what the counter tells you.

1
Which items — Switch, Steam Deck and handheld PCs, GBA SP, DS/3DS/PSP/Vita, wireless controllers with rechargeable packs.
These don’t need the extra step: cartridge save batteries (CR2032), bare carts and discs, controllers that run on AA/AAA.
2
Check the battery first — leave it installed in the device, and look it over before you pack.
Swollen, leaking or damaged? Don’t ship it. Email sell@hitgaming.com and we’ll sort out the item and point you to safe disposal — you won’t be penalized for it.
3
Pack it properly — bag each item, 3" of padding all around (bubble wrap, towels, or crumpled newspaper), sturdy box, tape the seams. Battery devices take the worst of a rough trip.
4
Ship it by ground, handed to a person — never a drop box, never Priority, Express or air.
With our UPS Ground label (orders of $50 or more, lower 48): print the Battery Shipping Kit attached behind your label at 100% / actual size, cut out the red-bordered battery mark and tape it flat on the largest side of the box next to the label (tape the edges only), then hand the box to UPS — a UPS Store, Access Point or driver. Not USPS.
Shipping it yourself (under $50, or from Alaska, Hawaii or a territory): UPS Ground or USPS Ground Advantage from a carrier counter, at your own expense; tell the clerk it contains a device with a built-in battery and follow what they tell you. Postage isn’t reimbursed.
Your carrier’s own guidance: USPS battery rules · UPS battery shipping · FedEx battery shipping
5
Tracking — with our label, tracking is automatic. If you shipped it yourself, give us the tracking number at the emailed link or from your Order Details page.
6
Payout — within 2 business days of inspection, as on any order.

This is general packing help, not shipping advice. Your carrier’s current rules govern your shipment, and as the shipper you’re responsible for meeting them — if anything here conflicts with what your carrier tells you, follow your carrier. See our Terms § 11 for the full reimbursement terms.

Transit times & insurance ▾

Typical ground transit to our Kentucky facility (USPS or UPS ground):

Midwest & South
2–3 business days
Northeast
3–4 business days
Mountain & Plains
3–5 business days
West Coast
4–5 business days

Insurance: $100 liability included free. Buy more at checkout (up to $5,000) — recommended over $100. On prepaid labels we file any claim; on self-ship you file with your carrier using your receipt + tracking.

Shipping FAQ ▾
Do I need extra insurance?
$100 is included. For orders over $100 we recommend buying more at checkout.
Can I use my own carrier?
If you’re mailing it yourself — an order under $50, or shipping from Alaska, Hawaii or a territory — use any carrier you like, unless the order has a battery item: those go by ground only (UPS Ground or USPS Ground Advantage), handed over at a counter. Everyone else: please use our free label, so the tracking and insurance are connected to your account.
My order is under $50 — do I still get a free label?
No — the free label comes with orders of $50 or more. Under $50, you mail it yourself and pay the shipping (usually $6 to $15), and nothing is taken out of your payout. Add another game to reach $50 and shipping is on us.
Lost or damaged package?
Prepaid labels — we file the carrier claim and pay the lesser of insured amount or your quote. Self-ship — you file with your receipt + tracking; we'll provide documentation.
How long is my quote good for?
14 days. No first scan by day 7 → reminder; none by day 14 → auto-cancelled and label voided.
I’m in Alaska, Hawaii, or a U.S. territory — what do I do?
Our free label can’t be used from where you are, so you mail the box yourself with any carrier and pay the shipping — we don’t pay it back, but nothing is taken out of your payout. Everything else works exactly the same. Steps here ↑
Questions? Email sell@hitgaming.com — we reply within one business day.