How ShareGrid rental shipping works
To use ShareGrid’s national rental shipping platform, you must purchase round-trip labels through ShareGrid’s discounted shipping to enable end-to-end tracking.
You can handle shipping costs in two ways
Flat-rate shipping: Pass some label costs to the renter using two tiers:
(Ground and Air).
Free shipping: Absorb the label cost into your rental price to attract more renters.
Estimate Shipping Fees
Accurate estimates help you price shipping correctly and protect your profit margins.
What you’ll need:
Packed weight (gear + padding + box)
Box dimensions (L × W × H)
Origin zip code (you)
Destination zip code (anywhere in the Continental 48)
Speed (Ground vs. Air)
Estimate using carrier calculators
Use public rate calculators to get a baseline estimate:
Pricing tip: Your actual label costs may be ~30% lower than retail rates due to ShareGrid’s discounted pricing (applied when you buy labels after the rental is booked). Make sure to account for round trip shipping.
Label Costs Come Out of Your Profit
Shipping labels are not free.
Even if you charge a flat shipping amount, the actual round-trip label cost is deducted from your rental profits when the label is purchased.
Important: Make sure you have sufficient profit, accounting for the 4-rental-day minimum, any shipping costs imposed on the renter, and ShareGrid fees. Otherwise, you may not be able to ship the item!
Timing & Carrier Delays
Carriers can be delayed due to weather, volume, and other factors. ShareGrid can’t be responsible for carrier delays.
Best practices
Ship as early as possible
If timing is tight, choose a faster service (e.g., 2–3 day air).
Always save tracking and get a drop-off receipt.
Shipping Protection Requirements (Must Follow)
To be eligible for shipping protection, you must meet ALL requirements below.
Ship ONLY to the confirmed billing address shown on ShareGrid.
Do not ship to any alternate address requested by message, email, or phone.
Signature on delivery (required)
Signature Required is automatically selected and applied at the time of label purchase. This helps prevent “not received” claims and enables shipping protection.
What’s covered (important)
Damage or theft during shipment or the rental period is covered under the renter’s Damage + Theft coverage, serviced by ShareGrid. At this time, Damage + Theft is the only coverage option available for shipped rentals.
Please note: this shipping coverage applies ONLY to rentals that are shipped through the ShareGrid rental shipping platform. It does not cover shipping for rentals that are not shipped through ShareGrid (such as local pickup rentals).
Take Photos Before Packing
Before packing, take clear photos of:
Every item in the rental
Serial numbers (camera bodies, lenses)
Condition from multiple angles (key surfaces)
Accessories (batteries, chargers, cables, plates, etc.)
These photos help with issues such as:
Equipment damage, theft, or condition disputes
Missing item disputes
Pack Camera Gear Safely
Use strong packaging to protect gear from drops, vibration, and rough handling.
Packing steps
Use a sturdy shipping box (double-wall recommended)
Add 2–3 inches of padding on all sides or a Pelican style case
Wrap each item separately (camera, lenses, monitor, etc.)
Prevent movement—nothing should shift when you gently shake the box
Protect fragile parts (screens, lens mounts, filter threads)
Seal with strong tape (H-tape recommended)
Apply the new label and fully cover old labels
Include the Packing Slip and return label in the box.
Place it on top of the items or inside the case where it’s easy to find.
Tip: If using a hard/foam case: Place it inside a shipping box with padding—do not ship the case alone.
Pro tip: Include a few pre-cut strips of strong packing tape so renters can easily reseal the box for the return shipment to protect your gear.
Battery Shipping Limitations
Some services restrict the use of batteries, especially lithium-ion.
Be mindful of
Lithium-ion batteries commonly used in camera gear
Spare batteries shipped loose
Air services often having stricter rules than Ground
Best practices
Use battery covers or protective cases
Prevent terminals from touching metal
When unsure, ship Ground and follow carrier requirements
⚠️ Battery limitations can vary by carrier and service level. If you indicate the package includes a 100wh+ battery during label purchase, you must attach the included battery warning label to the outside of the box prior to shipment. Only certain classes of shipping may be available as a result.
Quick Checklist (Before You Ship)
Estimate shipping using packed weight + box dimensions
Purchase round-trip labels through ShareGrid’s discounted shipping
Decide: Flat-rate shipping (Ground & Air tiers) or Free shipping
Remember: label costs are deducted from your profits, and profits must be positive after label costs.
Ship ONLY to the confirmed billing address (validated at checkout).
Take condition + serial number photos
Pack to prevent movement and protect fragile parts
Follow battery shipping limitations
Include the packing slip and return label.
Need to cancel a shipped order? Refer to our cancellation guide prior to purchasing a label.
Need Help?
Questions about shipping? Contact ShareGrid Support.
Disclaimer: ShareGrid is not an insurance provider, broker, or agent. ShareGrid is not licensed as an insurance provider, broker, or agent in any state or country. Damage Only and Damage + Theft coverage options are not insurance policies. All rentals require some type of coverage. Other coverage options include Short Term, Annual, and Third-Party Insurance. Eligibility for coverage under Damage Only and Damage + Theft coverage options is subject to the renter’s compliance with all of the terms and obligations in ShareGrid's Terms of Service.
Disclosure: This communication is on behalf of ShareGrid Platforms, LLC or its affiliates (“ShareGrid”). This communication is for informational purposes only and contains general information only. ShareGrid is not rendering legal, financial, accounting, business, tax, or other professional advice or services by means of this communication. This communication is not a substitute for such professional advice or services, nor should it be used as a basis for any decision or action that may affect your interests. You should consult a qualified professional advisor. ShareGrid does not assume any liability for reliance on the information provided herein.