What we typed
security camera
Add the model if you know it; a doorbell cam and a PTZ dome differ more in box size than you might guess.
Home electronics
What shipping a security camera costs
A boxed security camera is a small, forgiving parcel, under two pounds and tinier than a shoebox. Priced through the SMKlog calculator on 2026-07-27, UPS Ground and USPS Ground Advantage landed a penny apart at $11.11 and $11.12 on the Newark to Atlanta lane. Since most cameras carry a built-in rechargeable cell, the quote came back marked for ground service with the UN3481 lithium battery label.
Real quote, real dateBattery rules built inUSPS, UPS, FedEx compared
Small box, small bill
Three live services came back for this camera, and two of them differed by exactly one cent.
The camera quote, line by line
On 2026-07-27 we entered "security camera" along with the Newark, NJ 07102 to Atlanta, GA 30303 pair. The calculator sized the box, weighed it, screened the battery, and produced the three prices below without asking another question.
Packed box it returned
7.9 × 6.3 × 5.5 in
20 × 16 × 14 cm
Packed weight came to 1.8 lb (0.8 kg).
Route
Newark, NJ 07102
to Atlanta, GA 30303
Roughly 750 highway miles, which the ground networks cover in three to four days.
| Carrier | Service | Price | Estimated transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS | Ground | $11.11 | 3-4 business days |
| USPS | Ground Advantage | $11.12 | 6-7 business days |
| FedEx | Ground | $21.96 | 3-4 business days |
The internal battery is why everything listed is a ground product. Checkout flagged the shipment for the UN3481 mark automatically, so the label and the sticker requirement show up together; your only job is putting the small battery diamond on the outside of the box.
Before you tape it shut
Factory box first
The molded inserts a camera leaves the factory in beat anything you will improvise. Keep that inner box, then give it an outer carton with an inch of cushioning on all sides.
Mind the battery type
Power banks and loose spare cells are restricted at SMKlog checkout, and damaged electronics are too. A healthy battery installed inside the camera is the configuration that stays self-service, riding the ground network.
Wipe your footage
Factory-reset the unit and pull the microSD card before it leaves. Buyers do not need your driveway recordings, and you do not need the account-unlinking support ticket.
Camera shipping questions
How much does it cost to ship a security camera?
Eleven dollars and change on our dated run: $11.11 with UPS Ground and $11.12 with USPS Ground Advantage, Newark to Atlanta. FedEx Ground priced the identical box at $21.96.
Can a camera with a battery travel by air?
Not through self-service checkout. The quote returned restricted to ground under UN3481, the standard treatment for electronics with an installed lithium cell.
Do I need the original packaging to ship it?
It helps but is not required. Any rigid box works when the camera cannot move inside it, and the mounting screws belong in their own bag so nothing scratches the lens.
Does the UN3481 mark cost extra?
No. It is a printable sticker you place beside the shipping label, and checkout tells you exactly when a shipment needs one.