Best Shipping Deal - USPS Flat Rate Box Priority Mail

vintagemoonbeams · Posts: 1002

If you ship items that are small in size but over 1 lb. in weight, the best USPS shipping deal might be the Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes. For me, I am happy with the new "small flat rate box" that just came out recently. I can ship a heavy set of silver flatware that might weigh 2 or 3 lbs. for $4.95, as long as I can get it into the flat rate box. I am finding this especially cost effective for my buyers.

For Domestic shipping, there are 4 sizes of Flat Rate Boxs, as well as a Flat Rate Envelope. The envelope and the small flat rate box are $4.95, the "regular" flat rate box is $10.35, the "large" flat rate box is $13.95, and the "large" flat rate box going to an APO/FPO address is $11.95.

I believe these boxes may also be used for International shipping. You might check this out for sure at the USPS web site.

These boxes are all free at the USPS. You can go out to the USPS web site, establish an account (free), and order all of these - usually in packs of 25 - and order as many packs as you need, all shipped to you for free. I order a bunch once or twice a year, and I have my small town Post Office call me when they come in and I go over in my van and pick them up - even though they would deliver them to my house. This helps keep my mailman happy with me.

As a reminder, the Priority Mail rates went up earlier this year, but the first class mail and other rates are going up again on May 11th.

Just thought this information might be helpful, especially to new sellers.

Have a wonderful week!

VintageMoonbeams

ShelleysSmellies · Posts: 56

I wanted to add that you can get the priority mail tape for free, too! Can't beat a free box and tape!

pegshandworkandstuff · Posts: 125

that flat rate priority box ($4.95) is my FAVORITE ..I use it all the time..such do feel I am getting a deal when it is so HEAVY with items..

kjscreations · Posts: 1727

vintagemoonbeams · Posts: 1002

Good Morning! Yes, that's right - the Post Office does not have the free priority mail tape anymore. Too bad - it was really helpful to have.

I think you can order free mailing labels, and I even got some pre-printed with my return address a couple of years ago. Don't know if that service is still available.

If you don't want to use the web site to order boxes, etc., the Post Office has a form you can fill out (check off the products you need) to get your free stuff.

Have a wonderful day!

VintageMoonbeams

ShelleysSmellies · Posts: 56

I guess I should give my local postal workers a big hug and a kiss then!

vintagemoonbeams · Posts: 1002

Yes, if your Post Office is still giving you tape, you might try to get "stocked up" whenever you can get it, because it might end soon. My small town Post Office used to give me a roll of Priority mail tape now and then, and they stopped doing that a few months ago.

Don't know about that "hug and kiss" thing though! Laughing

Enjoy your day!

VintageMoonbeams

zickit · Posts: 21857

vintagemoonbeams · Posts: 1002

Yes, BigTall, my Post Office says that they can't order the Priority Mail box #4 through their supply system. When I order boxes, I always order an extra box of 25 of the #4 boxes for them to have.

My last order through the online Post Office store was around 27 boxes of boxes (25 in each box) - a big order that filled my van. But everything came within just a few days of placing my order.

I would not be surprised if the 'free" bpxes end someday though, with all the cutbacks.

One thing I notice is that those Priority Mail boxes are heavy (good that they are sturdy, but maybe add more weight and more $$ than necessary sometimes). I am careful about checking this, and I will use one of my "dumpster diving" boxes if the Post Office Priority Mail box puts the weight up into the next lb. amount unnecessarily.

Have a wonderful night!

VintageMoonbeams

wtcollectibles · Posts: 2728

silktraveler · Posts: 217

I have been using the USPS Priority Flat-Rate boxes for several yrs and find them both a good selling incentive (buy more, save more) and they allow me to pass on savings to customers.

I sell Bath and Body products & those in heavy glass jars can be a single item sale killer via usps....especially since most of my customers seem to be Zone 7 or higher.

just fyi - I have sent quite a few of the LARGE Flat-Rate boxes internationally and am amazed at how fast they get to far-flung countries vs coast-to-coast usa shipping. I will not use anything but Priority on Int'l shipments and ... if you have any ?? about Int'l FR I'm happy to answer via pm

ditto the Priority tape issue. I'm very nice to my p.o. employees and they return the favor tenfold.

a note - I sometimes put one of the Priority peel-off labels over the flap of the small flat-rate boxes, as I've recv'd goods packed in those boxes with the flap open! just an extra precaution if you're stuffing really full.

RustyFarmall · Posts: 1300

I got two rolls of the tape just yesterday. Just walked in and asked for it.
Small town post offices are willing to work with the customers that help keep them open.

toeoffrogproductions · Posts: 16

How small is small town...LOL? I live in a town of about 28,000, and our Postal Window people are the meanest bunch I've ever met. It's like they get totally ticked off if you even ask them a question. And forget about asking for supplies (like this tape). Ha. I'd get escorted out of the Post Office probably. We had one guy especially who FINALLY retired. He was the worst of the bunch. However I'm afraid he rubbed off on the others still there because they are getting to be just as bad as he was.

momsretro · Posts: 845

You can order boxes and stickers for free from usps.com, and they deliver to my house. But I'm still at my PO every once in a while. And when my orange tree is ripe I always bring them a bag.

The other day I was dropping off my package about 1 minute before the cutoff time. One of they guys was standing in the doorway, closing the sliding glass door. I asked if I'd missed the cut-off for the box and handed him my package so he could see it was all ready to go. He said yes, he thought I'd missed it. I jokingly said "I gotta start bribing you guys with more oranges."

He said "You're the Orange Lady? I'll see what I can do."

And he took my package inside! Sometimes a few well-placed oranges can go a long way!

zickit · Posts: 21857

That's why I use carry pick it's free! AND they come right to my door. Saves me gas, time and I don't have to worry about the clock.

Carrier Pickup
Key Features

Free, regardless of the number of packages you're sending.
Your carrier will pick up your package when your regular mail is delivered.
Schedule a pickup for the next delivery day, or with the advanced pickup option, up to 3 months from today.
Available with Express Mail, Priority Mail, International services, Merchandise Return Service and Parcel Return Service.