PayPal Shipping Label 2026: Create, Print & Track Labels
If you sell products online and accept PayPal payments, you can create and purchase shipping labels directly through the PayPal Shipping Center instead of manually buying postage elsewhere.
PayPal lets eligible sellers create labels for supported carriers, calculate available shipping rates, purchase postage, download or print the label, and manage previously purchased labels from the Shipping Center. PayPal
You can also create a Quick Label without an existing PayPal order, which is useful when you simply need to ship a package to an address manually. PayPal
This guide explains the complete process, including 4×6 labels, standard printer labels, international shipments, reprints, voids, Quick Labels, and common printing problems.
What Is a PayPal Shipping Label?
A PayPal shipping label is a prepaid shipping label you can purchase through PayPal’s Shipping Center.
Instead of going separately to a carrier website, you can enter or confirm the shipment information inside PayPal, compare available services, pay for postage, and generate the label.
PayPal says using the Shipping Center itself is free; you pay the applicable carrier charges when purchasing postage. PayPal
Current PayPal Shipping Center carriers
PayPal currently lists:
- USPS
- UPS
- DHL Express
PayPal says FedEx labels cannot currently be created through the PayPal Shipping Center. PayPal
How to Create a PayPal Shipping Label
There are several ways to reach the label-purchase screen.
For an existing order, PayPal currently provides three routes:
- Open the PayPal Shipping Center and choose the shipping-label option from the order’s action menu.
- Open the Order Details page and select Buy a shipping label.
- Open Activity, find the transaction, and select Print shipping label. PayPal
Once you’re on the Buy a Label page, the basic process is:
Step 1: Confirm your shipping location
If you’ve added multiple shipping locations, select the correct Ship From address.
For an existing PayPal order, the customer’s shipping address can automatically populate from the order information. PayPal
Step 2: Enter package information
Provide the requested package information, including the package weight and other shipment details.
Depending on the shipment, you can also select options such as:
- Delivery confirmation
- Insurance
- Additional handling requirements
PayPal notes that USPS and UPS include insurance up to $100 for certain services, with additional coverage available for an extra charge. PayPal
Step 3: Calculate shipping rates
Click Calculate rates.
PayPal will display the shipping services available for the shipment.
Step 4: Choose your shipping service
Compare the available services and select the one that best fits your delivery requirements and budget.
Step 5: Buy the label
Click Buy Label.
You’ll then reach the order-summary stage, where you can review shipment information and shipping costs and select the payment method from your PayPal Wallet. PayPal
Step 6: Print or download
Use the print option to print your label.
You can also download and save the label as a PDF from the browser’s print interface. PayPal
How to Create a PayPal Shipping Label Without an Order
You don’t necessarily need an existing PayPal transaction.
PayPal provides a Buy Quick Label option in the Shipping Center.
The process is:
- Open the PayPal Shipping Center.
- Select Buy Quick Label.
- Enter the recipient’s shipping address.
- Enter the package information.
- Select Calculate rates.
- Choose a shipping service.
- Select Buy Label.
- Choose your payment method.
- Complete the purchase.
The generated label opens in a new tab. PayPal says previously purchased Quick Labels can be found under the Labels tab, where you can view, reprint or void them when applicable. PayPal
When is a Quick Label useful?
Quick Labels are particularly useful when:
- You aren’t shipping against an existing PayPal order
- You received an order somewhere else
- You’re sending a package manually
- You need to ship something to an address outside your normal order workflow
What Size Is a PayPal Shipping Label?
PayPal currently provides two label-layout options:
4×6 inches
The 4×6-inch format is designed for thermal shipping-label printers.
This is generally the convenient choice if you ship frequently and use a dedicated thermal printer. PayPal’s settings allow you to select the 4×6 layout. PayPal
8.5×11 inches
The 8.5×11-inch layout is designed for standard desktop printers using letter-size paper.
PayPal notes that when multiple labels are purchased, this layout can print two 4×6 labels on one letter-size page. PayPal
Which one should you choose?
| If you use… | Better layout |
|---|---|
| 4×6 thermal printer | 4×6 |
| Inkjet printer | 8.5×11 |
| Laser printer | 8.5×11 |
| Occasional shipping | 8.5×11 can be convenient |
| Frequent shipping | 4×6 thermal format |
How to Change Your PayPal Shipping Label Size
PayPal says your label-layout setting tells the Shipping Center which type of printer you’re using.
To change it:
- Log in to PayPal.
- Open Account Settings.
- Go to your shipping preferences.
- Find Shipping Label Layout.
- Select Change.
- Choose either 8.5 × 11 inches or 4 × 6 inches. PayPal
Important if you already purchased a label
Changing the layout setting does not simply resize an already-created label.
PayPal says that if a label was created using the wrong layout, you need to void the existing label and purchase it again using the desired layout. PayPal
How to Print a PayPal 4×6 Shipping Label
If you’re using a thermal printer, select the 4×6 layout in PayPal.
When printing, make sure your printer isn’t scaling the PDF incorrectly.
A common cause of poor labels is the printer or PDF viewer changing the size.
Check these settings:
- Paper size: 4×6 inches
- Scale: 100%
- Disable unnecessary “Fit to Page” scaling
- Use the correct thermal-label stock
- Make sure the barcode isn’t stretched or cropped
HPRT similarly recommends using 4×6 paper and avoiding scaling that changes the dimensions of the label. HPRT
Can You Print a PayPal Shipping Label on a Regular Printer?
Yes.
You don’t need a thermal printer to use PayPal shipping labels.
If you’re using an ordinary inkjet or laser printer, the 8.5×11-inch layout is designed for letter-size paper. PayPal
A thermal printer becomes more useful when you’re printing many labels because it is designed around the standard 4×6 shipping-label format.
How Much Does a PayPal Shipping Label Cost?
There isn’t one universal PayPal shipping-label price.
The amount depends on factors such as:
- Carrier
- Service
- Package weight
- Package dimensions
- Destination
- Shipping location
- Additional services
- Insurance or other options
PayPal states that using the Shipping Center itself is free; charges arise from purchasing the carrier’s shipping service. PayPal
That’s why you should use Calculate rates before buying the label rather than assuming a fixed price.
Can You Get Discounted Shipping Through PayPal?
PayPal says the Shipping Center provides access to discounted carrier rates. PayPal
The exact rate you receive depends on the shipment and service selected.
So the best approach is to compare the rates shown for your particular package rather than assuming PayPal will always be the cheapest option.
How to Create an International PayPal Shipping Label
International shipping requires additional information.
According to PayPal, the process includes:
- Open the Orders page.
- Select the order.
- Choose the Ship From address.
- Calculate shipping rates.
- Select an international shipping service.
- Complete the Customs Declaration.
- Purchase the label. PayPal
What information goes into a customs declaration?
PayPal says customs declarations can include:
- Item description
- Quantity
- Item value
- Total value
- Harmonization code where required
- Country of origin
The required information can vary by destination and shipment. PayPal
Be specific with item descriptions
Don’t use vague descriptions when completing customs information.
PayPal advises providing enough detail about what the item is and what it’s made of because inadequate descriptions can contribute to shipments being returned. PayPal
Can You Reprint a PayPal Shipping Label?
Yes.
If you need another copy of a previously purchased label, PayPal provides access to previously created labels through its Shipping Center.
For Quick Labels, PayPal specifically says previously purchased labels can be found under the Labels tab, where they can be viewed or reprinted. PayPal
For existing orders, PayPal also provides options to review or reprint labels from the relevant shipping/order screens. PayPal
Can You Void a PayPal Shipping Label?
PayPal provides an option to void eligible labels.
This can be useful if:
- You entered the wrong package information
- You selected the wrong shipping service
- The address needs correction
- You accidentally purchased the wrong label size
- The order was canceled
- You no longer need the label
The exact refund/void eligibility depends on the label and carrier, so check the current options shown in your PayPal Shipping Center rather than assuming every label can be refunded.
Can You Create Multiple PayPal Shipping Labels at Once?
Yes.
PayPal says that when you select multiple orders, a Buy Labels button appears, allowing you to purchase multiple shipping labels. PayPal
This can be particularly useful for sellers processing several orders at once.
For businesses shipping many packages every day, batch processing can save considerable time compared with opening and completing every shipment individually.
What If You Need More Than One Box for One Order?
PayPal also supports creating additional labels when an order needs to be shipped in multiple boxes.
From the Order Summary page, PayPal says you can create additional labels for the order. PayPal
This is useful when a single customer’s purchase cannot be safely packed into one package.
PayPal Shipping Label Not Printing? Try These Fixes
1. The label is the wrong size
If you need 4×6 but the label is appearing as letter-size, check your PayPal shipping-label layout setting.
If the label was already purchased using the wrong format, PayPal says you need to void it and purchase it again after changing the layout. PayPal
2. The label is cut off
Check:
- Paper size
- Printer margins
- Scaling
- Orientation
- PDF print settings
For a thermal printer, confirm that the selected media is actually 4×6.
3. The label is too small
Turn off automatic scaling such as Fit to Page if it is changing the label dimensions.
HPRT specifically identifies incorrect scaling as a common cause of improperly sized PayPal labels. HPRT
4. The barcode looks stretched
Don’t manually stretch the PDF to fit a different paper size.
Barcodes need to remain properly proportioned and readable.
5. The label PDF doesn’t open
Try:
- Opening it in another browser
- Downloading the PDF first
- Opening it with a PDF reader
- Checking whether your browser blocked a new tab
OnlineLabels also notes that a pop-up blocker can interfere with the label opening in a new window. OnlineLabels
PayPal Shipping Label vs. Buying Postage Directly
Which option is better depends on your workflow.
PayPal Shipping Center
Advantages:
- Convenient if you’re already using PayPal
- Order information can populate automatically
- Multiple carrier options
- Quick Labels
- Reprint/void management
- Multiple-label purchasing
- Discounted carrier rates according to PayPal PayPal
Buying directly from a carrier
May make more sense if you:
- Need a carrier PayPal doesn’t support
- Already have a specialized shipping account
- Need services unavailable through PayPal
- Want to manage all shipments through another platform
For example, PayPal’s current Shipping Center does not support creating FedEx labels. PayPal
PayPal Shipping Label: Quick Comparison
| Feature | PayPal Shipping Center |
|---|---|
| Existing PayPal order | Yes |
| Quick Label without order | Yes |
| 4×6 labels | Yes |
| 8.5×11 labels | Yes |
| USPS | Yes |
| UPS | Yes |
| DHL Express | Yes |
| FedEx | No |
| International labels | Yes |
| Customs declarations | Yes |
| Reprint labels | Yes |
| Void eligible labels | Yes |
| Multiple labels | Yes |
Carrier availability and features can change, so verify the options shown in your PayPal account before purchasing. PayPal
Best PayPal Shipping Label Workflow for Small Businesses
If you’re shipping regularly, this workflow can save time:
Before your first shipment
Set your:
- Shipping location
- Preferred label format
- Printer
- Common package information
For each order
- Verify the customer’s address.
- Confirm package weight.
- Enter dimensions if requested.
- Calculate available rates.
- Compare services.
- Purchase the label.
- Download/save the PDF.
- Print at the correct scale.
- Verify the barcode.
- Attach the label securely.
For multiple orders
Use PayPal’s multiple-label workflow when available instead of processing every shipment completely separately. PayPal
PayPal Shipping Label FAQs
Can I create a PayPal shipping label without an order?
Yes. PayPal provides a Buy Quick Label option that lets you manually enter the recipient and package information. PayPal
Can I print a PayPal shipping label on a 4×6 printer?
Yes. PayPal provides a 4×6 label layout specifically for thermal printers. PayPal
Can I use a regular printer?
Yes. PayPal provides an 8.5×11-inch layout for standard letter-size printers. PayPal
Does PayPal charge a separate shipping-label fee?
PayPal says the Shipping Center itself is free. You pay the carrier charges when you purchase postage. PayPal
Does PayPal offer USPS shipping labels?
Yes. USPS is one of the carriers currently supported through PayPal Shipping Center. PayPal
Does PayPal offer UPS shipping labels?
Yes. UPS is currently supported. PayPal
Can I create a FedEx label through PayPal?
PayPal currently says FedEx labels cannot be created through the Shipping Center. PayPal
Can I create an international shipping label?
Yes. PayPal provides an international workflow that includes customs declarations. PayPal
Can I reprint a PayPal shipping label?
Yes. Previously purchased labels can be accessed through the Shipping Center for viewing and reprinting when available. PayPal
Can I void a PayPal shipping label?
Eligible labels can be voided through PayPal’s Shipping Center. The exact eligibility depends on the shipment and carrier. PayPal
What is the best size for PayPal shipping labels?
For thermal printers, 4×6 inches is the dedicated PayPal layout. For ordinary desktop printers, 8.5×11 inches is the standard option. PayPal
Bottom Line
PayPal Shipping Center is more than a simple way to print a postage label. It can handle the workflow from an existing PayPal order or a manually created Quick Label through rate calculation, postage purchase, printing, and subsequent label management.
For most sellers, the key is getting three things right:
1. Enter accurate package information.
2. Choose the correct label format.
3. Check the final shipping cost before purchasing.
If you’re using a thermal printer, choose 4×6. If you’re using a normal desktop printer, use 8.5×11. And if you create a label using the wrong layout, PayPal says you’ll need to void and repurchase it after changing the layout. PayPal
