Can I Cut Down a USPS Regional A Box to a Smaller Size?

[18704d]

Does the Post Office allow me to cut a Regional A Priority box down to smaller size?

I'll still pay the full Region A price as shown in the calculator.

The A box is the perfect cost for shipping my items, but they don't even fill the box halfway up.

Thanks,

Lynn

[hioctane62 · Accepted solution]

No, you can't alter flat rate or regional packaging.

[southern*sweet*tea]

If you cut it down or change its shape in any way, you'll be charged the regular Priority Mail rate.

Unlike the PFRE that can be stuffed to near explosion, or folded to make smaller, the boxes can't be changed. Pricing is based on size and shape of box just like FRBs are.

[nobody*s_perfect]

Just stuff the box with extra padding like crushed paper; the cost is the same up to 15 pounds.

[luckythewinner]

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@18704d wrote:

Does the Post Office allow me to cut a Regional A Priority box down to smaller size?

I'll still pay the full Region A price as shown in the calculator.

The A box is the perfect cost for shipping my items, but they don't even fill the box halfway up.

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One option might be to cut it down to fit, pack your item, and then put your cut-down box into another regular sized box. (Unless someone here knows that using two boxes for for one package violates some USPS rule.)

[moo*cow*corner]

Using two boxes for one shipment does not violate any USPS rule.

I sometimes put plates in a Regional A, wrap that box with bubble wrap, and then slip into a Regional B. It ships at the Reg B price.

I've personally asked two different postmasters, and was told that's fine, as long as the outer box is the higher rate box. A higher rate box inside a cheaper box would be postage avoidance.

But, they also told me that Priority Mail is never opened to check contents, like media mail, and the only way someone might get caught, is if the package got damaged, and the inner box becomes visible.

They told me they would rather go after short-payers and media class abusers, etc. They don't care a whit about double-boxing.