Shipping costs may vary based on package weight, distance, and size, making it difficult to determine your actual profit. When you ship heavy products, costs can rise rapidly. Under flat rate shipping of the United States Postal Service, you can pay one flat rate based on the size of the box or envelope, not by weight (up to 70lbs).
With this guide, you will know all the available sizes, retail prices, and how to use flat rate packaging the right way to save more on each shipment.
What Do USPS Flat Rate Boxes and Envelopes Mean?
USPS Priority Mail packages, such as flat rate boxes and envelopes, are official Flat Rate packaging options that are used to ship items at a fixed amount regardless of their weight (up to 70 lbs). The only condition is that the item has to fit within the given flat rate box or envelope without sticking out. The price is determined by the type of packaging, rather than distance and weight.
The price remains the same whether you are shipping it to a neighboring state or the whole nation. These are free boxes and envelopes, which are obtained at Post Offices or can be ordered online at USPS. Small and bulky products such as books, tools, electronics, or dense products should be packaged in flat-rate packages. When your shipment is small enough to fit into a container, you can save a lot of money compared to weight-based shipping.
Advantages of Flat Rate Packaging
- Price Predictability: It is one of the greatest advantages. There is no need to weigh the package or to compute zones. The price is fixed as long as it can fit in the accepted packaging.
- Quick Delivery: Flat rate shipping is fast and is delivered via the USPS Priority Mail, which normally takes 1-3 business days to deliver. It offers Saturday delivery at no additional charge.
- USPS Tracking: It comes with USPS Tracking, and a majority of packages have up to $50 of insurance.
- Free Pickup Service: You may also order free delivery to your house.
- Free Packaging: USPS also offers free official flat-rate boxes and envelopes.
USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelopes
Priority Mail Flat rate Envelopes are mailing envelopes that have one fixed price, which is the price of the envelope regardless of the weight or distance of the item inside, as long as the size of the envelope is large enough and the envelope is able to close normally.
Envelopes come in five major options, and each envelope serves a specific shipping purpose.
1. Flat Rate Envelope (12½" x 9½")
This is a standard envelope that is great for documents, manuscripts, contracts, and slim objects. It suits well with paper-based shipments, which do not need additional padding.
2. Window Flat rate Envelope (10" x 5" or 12½" x 9½")
This option has a clear address window. It is widely applied to business documents and paperwork.
3. Small Flat Rate Envelope (10" x 6")
This is a small envelope that can be used for sending greeting cards, photos, gift cards, and small pieces of paperwork. It is smaller than the standard envelope and is effective with lightweight and heavy items.
4. Padded Flat Rate Envelope (12½" x 9½")
The padded version includes an inbuilt bubble lining to provide additional protection. It is mostly preferred when choosing small clothes, books, jewels, and accessories.
5. Legal Flat Rate Envelope (15" x 9½")
It is a longer envelope made to hold legal-size papers, and it can hold contracts and official paperwork without folding.
USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes
USPS Flat Rate Boxes are fixed-price Priority Mail boxes that are available in small, medium, and large sizes. You are allowed to ship a maximum of 70 lbs at a single price, provided the goods fit in the official USPS packaging.
The flat rate boxes are available in various sizes, based on different shipping requirements.
1. Small Flat Rate Box
Outside Dimension: 8 11⁄16" x 5 7⁄16" x 1 ¾"
This box is suitable when the product is small and heavy, such as electronics, tools, and other phone accessories, and compact products.
2. Medium Flat Rate Box
Outside Dimension: 11 ¼" x 8 ¾" x 6"
This version opens at the top. It is suitable for larger products, clothes, or a variety of quite small products that are bundled together.
3. Medium Flat-Rate Box
Outside Dimension: 14" x 12" x 3 ½"
This version flattens open to the side and is better with flatter or wider objects.
4. Large Flat Rate Box
Outside Dimension: 12" x 12 ¼" x 6"
The large box is applicable to larger shipments such as laptops, larger electronics, or bundled products.
5. APO/FPO/DPO Flat Rate Box
Outside Dimension: 12" x 12 ¼" x 6"
This box is meant to be used in addressing military personnel overseas. It is as big as the large box but frequently has discounted prices on APO/FPO/DPO destinations.
How Much Does USPS Charge to Send Flat-Rate Boxes and Envelopes?
The postage cost for the USPS flat rate packaging is based on the size of the box or envelope. The prices do not vary according to weight (up to 70 lbs) and shipping distance in the United States.
The following are the usual retail prices (they can vary depending on the changes made by the USPS).
Prices can be different for retail and commercial rates.
How You Can Use Flat Rate Boxes and Envelopes to Save on Shipping
USPS Flat rate Box and USPS Flat rate Envelopes are the things that can be used to save money by shipping with the Postal Service. The USPS flat rate packaging can save you money because it includes the free official boxes and envelopes, allows you to ship heavy goods that do not exceed the size restrictions, and allows you to select the appropriate box size when shipping a specific product.
Here’s how to do it properly.
1. Use Official Flat Rate Packaging Only
In order to receive flat rate pricing, you should use flat rate boxes or envelopes with branded USPS packaging. You are not allowed to use your own box, although it is of the same size.
2. Ship Heavy Items
Flat rate is best suited when moving out compact or heavy products. When your product is several pounds and can fit in a small or medium box, you usually save on weight-based pricing.
3. Take the Box as Small as You Can
Do not necessarily choose a big box. Measure your product and choose the smallest possible flat rate packaging to fit into. Smaller sizes cost less.
4. Avoid Overstuffing
The envelope or the box should close in the normal way. When it sticks out or fails to close, USPS can refuse to take it or ask to pay extra.
5. Get Better Rates with Online Postage
Purchasing online labels may usually provide access to commercial discounted prices, rather than retail counter pricing.
