The US Postal Service’s Priority Mail is a quick yet economical way to mail packages under 70 pounds within the United States. Using Priority Mail Flat Rate packages designed by USPS or your own boxes, you can ship items across the country and have them arrive in one to three days to most locations.
Moreover, Is it cheaper to use a flat rate box or your own box?
This depends on weight and size of the box along with the destination. If within zone 3, 4, or 5 it is usually cheaper to ship regional rate boxes. If zone 7 or 8 then flat rate boxes are usually cheaper. If in zone 1 or 2 it is usually cheaper to use your own box up to 2 pounds and regional rate boxes over that.
Secondly, Is it cheaper to mail two small boxes or one big box?
There is a minimum fee that you have to pay for each package you send so it is generally much cheaper to send one slightly bigger box than two smaller boxes. Just remember when shipping those Christmas presents that to get cheap shipping just send one big box with packing bubbles instead of multiple packages.
Simply so, Is it cheaper to use your own box for priority mail?
Otherwise, Priority Mail® is just the name of the service class, and you can use any box or packaging that you’d like and for most cases, it’s actually cheaper to use your own packaging instead of a Flat Rate service. Use our postage rate calculator to find your most cost effective options.
What are the sizes of USPS boxes?
Type Size Price
———— —————————————————– ——
Small Box 8 11/16″ x 5 7/16″ x 1 3/4″ $8.05
Medium Boxes 11 1/4″ x 8 3/4″ x 6″ or 14″ x 12″ x 3 1/2″ $13.60
Large Box 12-1/4″ x 12-1/4″ x 6″ or 24-1/16″ x 11-7/8″ x 3-1/8″ $18.70
APO/FPO Box 12-1/4″ x 12-1/4″ x 6″ $17.20
15 Related Question Answers Found
What are standard shipping box sizes?
Shipping boxes often vary in size, but should usually be around 16” x 16”. Standard size shipping boxes are very important when it comes to moving goods across the seas.
What is the largest size box for priority mail?
108 inches
Do you have to use flat rate boxes for priority mail?
Priority Mail boxes can be reused as many times as you like, as long as they are used for Priority Mail shipments. The USPS does not allow for its branded boxes to be used in the “wrong” service, so do not use Flat Rate boxes for Priority Mail services, and vice-versa.
Can I use my own box for priority mail?
What you cannot do is use your own box to ship flat rate Priority. Flat rate is shipped by the Priority schedule, except for the flat rate Express service boxes. While you can ship any box by Priority, only flat rate pricing applies to boxes that are made by USPS for that purpose.
What is the smallest size package for USPS?
Packages are also subject to minimum dimensions. No package may be smaller than 5″ x 3.5″ x 0.007″. Machinable packages may not be smaller than 6″ x 3″ x 0.25″. Non-machinable packages may be subject to additional handling fees.
Do you have to use a flat rate box to ship flat rate?
Flat Rate or Regional Rate require those specific Flat Rate boxes from usps. For plain old Priority Mail, you can use your own box or the usps non-flat rate priority boxes. You can use a regional rate box with regular priority mail postage. Same for a flat rate padded envelope.
How much are flat rate boxes at USPS?
Free Supplies8 Shipping Price
————————————— —————————————————–
Small Flat Rate Box $8.05 Commercial Base $8.30 at Post Office & Online
Medium Flat Rate Box — 1 (top-loading) $13.60 Commercial Base $15.05 at Post Office & Online
Medium Flat Rate Box — 2 (side-loading) $13.60 Commercial Base $15.05 at Post Office & Online
Is it cheaper to mail a large box UPS or USPS?
UPS is often more expensive than USPS due to fees and surcharges, especially when it comes to shipping smaller packages. Generally, USPS offers much better rates when shipping smaller packages less than two lbs., though UPS typically works better when shipping larger, heavier packages by offering superior value.
Can I use my own box for USPS Priority mail?
What you cannot do is use your own box to ship flat rate Priority. Flat rate is shipped by the Priority schedule, except for the flat rate Express service boxes. While you can ship any box by Priority, only flat rate pricing applies to boxes that are made by USPS for that purpose.
Does a bigger box cost more to ship?
The smaller a box you use will, as a general rule of thumb, reduce your shipping costs. 3. If you know, or think, your box is larger than 1 cubic foot, select Large Package and enter the dimensions of your box. Our software will compare the size, weight, and distance to calculate the postage required.
How much is a priority mail box?
Free Supplies8 Shipping Price
————————————— —————————————————–
Small Flat Rate Box $8.05 Commercial Base $8.30 at Post Office & Online
Medium Flat Rate Box — 1 (top-loading) $13.60 Commercial Base $15.05 at Post Office & Online
Medium Flat Rate Box — 2 (side-loading) $13.60 Commercial Base $15.05 at Post Office & Online
Is it cheaper to ship one large box or two?
Don’t send more packages than you need to. There is a minimum fee that you have to pay for each package you send so it is generally much cheaper to send one slightly bigger box than two smaller boxes. Using priority mail the test I did showed a savings of $6.25 by sending one 10 lb box instead of two 5 lb boxes.
Last Updated: 17 days ago – Co-authors : 6 – Users : 4
