Is it Cheaper to Use USPS Flat Rate Boxes?
Shipping Companies around the world have authorized parameters concerning USPS Flat Rate Box sizes. To have a good shipping experience, shippers should not ignore the significance of paying attention to these parameters when parceling their items.
Delivery service providers like USPS offer their clients an easy way to ship items through the Flat Rate Box option. What also matters is the size and weight of the box.
Flat Rate Boxes and Envelopes are the best options for shipping heavy or small items. You can get these boxes and envelopes for free with USPS.
Now let us find out what size of box you should use while shipping with USPS.
What are USPS Flat Rate Box Sizes?
USPS offers flat-rate boxes in different sizes. Clients can parcel the items they intend to ship with USPS with these boxes or envelopes.
These sizes include the USPS Priority Mail Small Box, the Medium Box having the top-loading and side-loading as subcategories, the Large Box, and the APO/FPO/DPO sizes.
Let us discuss the full details of the USPS Flat Rate Box sizes below:
1. USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Small Box
The Small flat-rate box is suitable for small items, but this box is very rigid and dense. This makes it safe to ship your items.
The parameters are 8 11⁄16 x 5 7⁄16 x 1 ¾ (inches) for the exteriors and 8 5⁄8 x 5 3⁄8 x 1 5⁄8 inches for the interiors.
It can contain items like clothing materials, papers, and small electronics.
2. USPS Flat Rate Medium Box
The USPS Flat Rate medium box has two subcategories. They include:
a.) Top-loading
This type of box is the kind that supports loading items from the top. This is just as the name is. The exterior has 11 ¼ x 8 ¾ x 6 (inches) as its parameter.
The parameter of its interior is 11 x 8 ½ x 5 ½ (inches).
b.) Side-loading
The exterior and interior parameters are given as 14 x 12 x 3 ½ (inches) and 13 x 5⁄8 x 11 7⁄8 x 3 3⁄8 (inches) respectively.
To use boxes of this size, you have to load your items from the side of the box. From observation, you will agree that these two boxes are medium sizes.
3. USPS Flat Rate Large Box
If you want to ship larger items like laptop computers, desktop computers, special gifts, and large electronics, you should go for the USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Large Box.
It has 12 x 12 ¼ x 6 (inches) and 12 x 12 x 5 ½ (inches) as measurements for its exterior and interior respectively.
4. USPS Flat Rate APO/FPO/DPO Box
APO/FPO/DPO boxes have the design purpose of conveying military items to troops across borders. They contain a message of assistance for military personnel.
They have 12 x 12 ¼ x 6 (inches) for the exterior and 12 x 12 x 5 ½ for the interior.
USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelopes
The USPS offers up to 5 different service options. Every envelope has a unique size, structure, and different functions.
Let us take a closer look at these envelopes, their properties, and their uses below:
1. USPS Flat Rate Envelope
If you want to send a letter, document, manuscript, invoice, or other important papers, you can use the USPS Flat Rate Envelope.
It usually comes with 12 ½ x 9 ½ (inches) as its parameters.
2. USPS Window Envelope
The size of this envelope can be 10 x 5 or 12 ½ x 9 ½ (inches). It envelope does not come with a default address. This gives you the opportunity to input your own address.
This favors the situation where you have yet to prepare your documents. Thus, you are not sure of the address, and you have to wait for confirmation.
3. USPS Small Flat Rate Envelope
A great way of sending gift cards, greeting cards, wedding cards, and other small papers, is by using the Small Flat Rate Envelope.
You can always think about this card when you want to send a letter to a friend or loved one. The size of this envelope is 10 by 6 (inches).
4. Padded Flat Rate Envelope
When there is a need to ship books, small clothing, and jewelry, it would be best if you choose to use the USPS flat-rate envelope.
The envelope is moderately big to contain the above items. It has a dimension of 12 ½ x 9 ½ (inches).
5. USPS Legal Flat Rate Envelope
Do you have a land document, vehicle purchase particulars, house documents, and other legal documents?
Then, you should choose the Legal Flate Rate envelope for parceling.
What is the Cost of Using USPS Boxes?
The majority of USPS boxes, including Regional Rate boxes and Flat Rate boxes, are provided at no cost.
This also extends to all packaging associated with USPS Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express services.
To provide further clarity, Flat Rate and Regional Rate boxes are encompassed within the Priority Mail service category, which is why they include complimentary USPS boxes.
You can easily obtain free USPS boxes by ordering them from the USPS website, available in packs of 10 or 25, with free delivery.
However, it’s important to note that Forever Prepaid Flat Rate boxes must be purchased.
These boxes are offered in three sizes and can be ordered from the USPS website, with a minimum order quantity of 5.
Here are the prices for each size of USPS Forever Prepaid Flat Rate box:
- Small: $8.45
- Medium: $15.50
- Large: $12.90
For additional insights on obtaining free boxes for shipping, you can refer to this guide on free packaging.
How Can I Get the Cheapest USPS Shipping Rate?
Shipping with USPS involves various considerations, from selecting the right USPS boxes to choosing the most suitable service and calculating the total cost.
Fortunately, you can bypass all the hassle with the USPS Shipping Rate Calculator.
Simply input your shipment’s weight and destination, and you’ll instantly receive accurate, real-time rates for all the most cost-effective shipping services, including USPS.
Here are the rate quotes for shipping a 2-pound package from New York, NY to Denver, CO:
The most budget-friendly option for their requirements is USPS – Ground Advantage, priced at $7.78.
This simplified process is far more convenient than navigating multiple websites to find rates, obtaining quotes, and repeating the process with FedEx, DHL, UPS, and others.
The USPS rate calculator is free to use, and it even displays the savings you’ll enjoy by using it shipping along with the corresponding USPS boxes.
As you explore different boxes and their prices, it’s important to keep in mind that you can often skip this step altogether by using the rate to get the most affordable rates.
Consequently, all that remains is to order free USPS boxes online, and you’re good to go.
Having known the sizes of flat-rate boxes and envelopes, you can conveniently make your mailing decisions without experiencing difficulties.
