USPS Priority Mail Boxes are available for free to customers who want to ship packages using USPS Priority Mail.
USPS Priority Boxes solve the issue of having to find the right box to fit your items every time you want to mail something.
USPS offers consumers the boxes that they can use to pack their products and ship them securely using USPS Priority Mail. This service also allows customers to save money as the shipping charges are not determined by destination but by the size of the boxes.
However, the USPS Priority Mail Boxes are a highly underutilized service since it is still not known to many customers. And those who know about the service have too many queries to avail the service. But with a little knowledge and understanding, one can take full advantage of the USPS Priority Boxes.
And that’s exactly why we are here to provide you with all the information so that the next time you use the USPS service, you know how to utilize the USPS Priority Mail Boxes. So, without further ado, let’s go!
Table of Contents
USPS Priority Mail: Things You Should Know
Before we jump to the topic of USPS Priority Mail Boxes, it is important to know a little bit about the USPS Priority Mail itself.
USPS Priority Mail is the quick, economical way to pack and ship parcels under 70 pounds within the United States. This service allows customers to pay a single rate depending on the type of box chosen, regardless of the delivery location or the package weight.
USPS Priority Mail also offers customers several additional services like standard tracking, insurance up to $50, scheduled pickups, and delivery within 1-3 days.
However, the greatest advantage of using USPS Priority Mail is that they allow people to order shipping supplies for free. You can either order them directly from the USPS official website or the Post Office, and they will have the supplies delivered to you for free. And this is where the service of USPS Priority Mail Boxes comes into view. Packing your items in those Priority Boxes, you can then use their Priority Mail to ship your items anywhere across the country.
Types of USPS Priority Mail Boxes
USPS offers a range of Priority Boxes so that you can choose the right one to suit your needs. Remember though – the maximum weight allowed is 70 lbs. Probably enough for most items. It’s also worth noting that shipping charges will change to reflect the sizes of the box that you choose. Therefore, selecting the right box is your key to squeezing the best service out of the USPS at the cheapest shipping rate.
BELOW ARE THE TYPES and SIZES OF USPS PRIORITY MAIL BOXES:
Small Flat Rate Priority Box
- Outer Dimension: 8 11/16” x 5 7/16” x 1 3/4″
- Inner Dimension: 8 5/8” x 5 3/8” x 1 5/8″
- Shipping Price: $8.45
These boxes come with self-adhesive flaps, which must close completely based on the folds. yU You must make sure that the items you put inside the box fit perfectly and that the contents don’t bulge the flaps and prevent them from closing completely. (This rule is true for all Priority Mail Boxes offered by USPS).
Use the Small Flat Rate Priority Box is good for things like bulky jewelry, small electronics, vape supplies, crochet, knitting needles, and other items that are small in size and light in weight.
Medium Flat Rate Priority Box
Medium Flat Rate Priority Boxes come with the added advantage of featuring two versions—top loading and side loading, to aid the customers in packing different types of products. While the Top Loading offers more inside space, the Side Loading is a bit narrower.
Top Loading
- Outer Dimension: 11 1/4” x 8 3/4” x 6″
- Inner Dimension: 11” x 8 1/2” x 5 1/2″
- Shipping Price: $15.50
The Top Loading Medium Flat Rate Priority Box can be used for items that require more depth, like shoes.
Side Loading
- Outer Dimension: 14” x 12” x 3 1/2″
- Inner Dimension: 13 5/8” x 11 7/8” x 3 3/8″
- Shipping Price: $15.50
The Side Loading Medium Flat Rate Priority Box can be used for items with less thickness, like paper sheets.
Even though the type of items that will fit into the two versions differs widely, the shipping cost of both versions is the same. So, at this box size, you need to make a crucial comparison of the Cost vs Weight-based shipping.
Large Flat Rate Priority Box
- Outer Dimension: 12 1/4” x 12 1/4” x 6″
- Inner Dimension: 12” x 12” x 5 1/2″
- Shipping Price: $21.90
The USPS Priority Mail Boxes offer a greater advantage when you have to ship larger, heavier packages. Hence, the Large Flat Rate Priority Box is the most popular among all the USPS Priority Boxes. Customers generally use them to ship large and heavy electronic items like computers or laptops.
APO/FPO Large Flat Rate Priority Box
- Outer Dimension: 12 1/4” x 12 1/4” x 6″
- Inner Dimension: 12” x 12” x 5 1/2″
- Shipping Price: $21.90
The APO/FPO Large Flat Rate Priority Box has the same dimensions, weight limit, and shipping price as the Large Flat Rate Priority Box. The difference is that these boxes are used to ship items across the seas to troops and military personnel.
The APO/FPO Large Flat Rate Priority Box offers a discount on shipping rates and holds a special message of support for those in the military. Since sending parcels overseas can be costly, USPS provides this advantage to the families of military personnel to send gifts to their loved ones.
How to Ship with USPS Priority Mail Boxes?
Shipping with USPS Priority Mail Boxes is very easy. Just follow the 5 simple steps below, and you can take advantage of this service:
Step 1: Visit the USPS official website to order the USPS Priority Boxes or pick them up directly from the Post Office.
Step 2: Print your shipping labels as per the dimensions of the Priority Box, as well as the weight, price, destination, and other details.
Step 3: Put the items you want to ship inside the USPS Priority Box in such a way that the contents don’t bulge out of them.
Step 4: Paste the shipping label carefully on the box and make sure that it sticks firmly with no air trapped in between.
Step 5: Schedule a pickup date and time with the USPS or visit the Post Office to drop them off personally and pay the required shipping charges.
Just ensure that you choose the correct box dimension, keep the weight within the limit (70 lbs) and use USPS Priority Mail service while shipping your items with Priority Boxes, and you can expect them to get delivered within 1-3 days.
Conclusion on USPS Priority mAIL Boxes:
USPS Priority Mail Boxes are one of the best services offered by the world’s leading postal service. It not only stops you from worrying about finding the perfect box to fit your to be shipped but also helps in finding the easiest and the most cost-effective service to ship parcels. And once you learn to balance the game of weight-dimension-price of these boxes, you will be a pro at using the USPS Priority Mail Boxes for all your important shipments.
