Everything You Need to Know About USPS Boxes
USPS - United States Postal Service is a federal agency providing mailing and delivery service within the USA. This USPS is the only courier service provider in the USA that reaches every location of around 167 million addresses including residences, businesses, and post office boxes.
As a new e-commerce business owner, you must be thinking about a shipping strategy to save your shipping cost or you might be asking if USPS still gives free boxes. Why? Shipping costs and packaging materials have a significant impact. Don’t fear.
To help individuals and businesses manage their shipping, USPS offers free envelopes and shipping boxes. The USPS envelopes and boxes are available for free. However, for USPS Forever Prepaid Flat Rate boxes, you need to pay something. You can order these USPS envelopes and boxes online or get them from your local Post Office. Stay here. This guide will walk you through the ins and outs of USPS boxes to help you save money on shipping. So let’s begin.
A Brief USPS History and Its Impact on American Mail Services
The origins of USPS take us back to the 18th century when in 1775 Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General was appointed by the Second Continental Congress. To facilitate communication between the 13 fragmented American colonies, Franklin helped in establishing a postal system. This was the sign of the US Post Office Department establishment.
Continuing this, in 1787 congress established and exercised post offices and post roads empowered by the Postal Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Over the centuries, the postal system expanded alongside the nation's growth, introducing innovations like postage.
In 1847, stamps were issued for the first time in conjunction with the railway mail service, which was introduced in the late 1800s. Upon enactment of the Postal Reorganization Act in 1971, the department was transformed into USPS, which is now an independent federal agency.
Today, USPS provides mail delivery services all across the United States, adapting to modern challenges while maintaining its role as a fundamental service for Americans.
What Are The Types of USPS Boxes
To learn about the USPS boxes, there are some types discovered. They differ from each other based on the USPS box sizes and prices. From small to large, they are available in different sizes.
USPS Flat Rate Boxes
USPS flat rate shipping choice charges a single fixed price to deliver a package all across the USA. Unlike other shipping options, these flat rate prices are fixed regardless of package dimension, weight, and destination. Therefore, it is considered the cheapest shipping option to ship large or heavier packages at a nominal fixed price. And for USPS flat rate boxes are used for flat rate shipping.
These flat rate boxes are available in three different sizes such as small, medium, and large. This flat rate packaging is also available in envelopes, padded envelopes, board game boxes, and military shipping boxes (APO/DPO). The prices for these USPS small boxes are $8.45 and $21.90 for the USPS large boxes.
USPS Regional Rate Boxes
The regional rate determines the shipping prices by shipment zone, distance, and destination domestically or internationally. The regional rate boxes are categorized into three sizes in weight A (up to 15 pounds), B (up to 20 pounds), and C (up to 25 pounds). Usually, these regional rates for USPS small boxes can be affordable to send your packages over a short distance. Based on distance and box size, the discount is provided by USPS. Therefore, it is considered a cost-effective shipping option to deliver packages.
USPS Forever Prepaid Flat Rate Boxes
They are shipping options that come with a fixed postage price that you can purchase from USPS by paying upfront. No matter if the price increases in the future, you don’t need to pay a single penny extra because this forever prepaid flat rate has no expiry. Available in small, medium, and large sizes for boxes and envelopes, they accommodate various shipping needs.
Free Shipping Boxes Offered By USPS
The US Postal Service provides free shipping boxes to its customers. Among them USPS Priority Mail Express boxes are free. Some USPS Priority Mail boxes are free and some are not. They come in different sizes and are designed specifically for the services they are associated with. For sending packages within the United States, these USPS priority boxes are available for purchase online or at local post offices.
How Much Does USPS Charge For Their Boxes
Except for Forever Prepaid Flat Rate boxes, other USPS boxes including USPS Flat Rate boxes and USPS Regional Rate boxes are free. This is because they come under the umbrella of USPS Priority Mail services. Besides this, Priority Mail Express is the fastest domestic shipping service offered by USPS to deliver packages in the USA. Ordering free USPS boxes in packs of 10 or 25 is easy from the USPS website.
However, Forever Prepaid Flat Rate boxes in three different sizes are not free and you have to pay a little. They can be ordered from the USPS website with a minimum quantity of 10 boxes. The prices for a single small, medium, and large-sized Forever Prepaid Flat Rate box are $10.40, $18.40, and $24.75 respectively.
How To Get Free USPS Boxes
For placing an order for free USPS boxes and envelopes, an online USPS store is available. You can order online and postal service will deliver your order right to your doorstep. Most of these envelopes and boxes come in 10 to 25 packs. You have the liberty to pick up these free envelopes and boxes from your local post office as well.
To Sum Up
Most USPS boxes are free except the Forever Prepaid Flat Rate box. Through the USPS website, individuals and businesses can order a pack of 10 or 25 USPS boxes and envelopes online and obtain them free of cost from USPS.
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