Box size recommendation for first class shopping

[li.190-2]

I was wondering if somebody can  recommend  me a box size that I can use for first class shipping.                           Thanks you..

[afflv702]

Any box with the item in it that weights 15.9 oz or less can be shipped first class. There are no specific sizes. It all about weight

[a_c_green]

I wouldn't go below 6"x4" on one side, as you would end up having to wrap the full-size on-line label around one edge otherwise. (The eBay/PayPal shipping label is 4"x6" in size after trimming excess.) Your options when using a box that's smaller than that would be to either print an undersized (scaled-down) label or have the address on one side with the bar code wrapped onto another. Neither is really an ideal solution and the weight savings would be negligible anyway. It's also then getting small enough for sticky fingers to discreetly pocket the box at some point along the way.

I use 6"x4"x4" size boxes for anything that will fit. If the item is relatively flat and will resist squashing, a small padded envelope is another option, as long as the thickness in at least one area is 3/4" or more.

[starroute-us]

I also use the 6x6x4 labels fit and the small items I sell fit safe and secure.
I purchase in lots of 50, check threebs or uline.

[city*satins]

Just use a box or container or mailing envelope large enough to hold the merchandise without too much movement, and lightweight enough not to push the weight over 15.9 oz (if you purchase your postage on eBay) or 13 oz (if you purchase your postage at the counter or anywhere else that limits you to 13 oz for first class postage)

For your CDs for instance, I wouldn't use a box. I would use a size 2 bubble mailer and put sturdy cardboard on either side of the cd case to protect it during shipping. Cheaper than a purchased box unless you can get some CD mailers at a price cheaper than Sz 2 bubble mailers which you can purchase in bulk at Sams or Costco or here on eBay.

[lookng2015]

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@a_c_green wrote:

I wouldn't go below 6"x4" on one side, as you would end up having to wrap the full-size on-line label around one edge otherwise. (The eBay/PayPal shipping label is 4"x6" in size after trimming excess.) Your options when using a box that's smaller than that would be to either print an undersized (scaled-down) label or have the address on one side with the bar code wrapped onto another. Neither is really an ideal solution and the weight savings would be negligible anyway. It's also then getting small enough for sticky fingers to discreetly pocket the box at some point along the way.

I use 6"x4"x4" size boxes for anything that will fit. If the item is relatively flat and will resist squashing, a small padded envelope is another option, as long as the thickness in at least one area is 3/4" or more.

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On a 4x4 or 6x4 box I fold the label so the barcode is one side and the rest of the label is on the top. My carrier suggested I do it that way and I've never had an issue.

[lookng2015]

@li.190-2

To borrow from USPS themselves..........If it fits and weighs under 16 oz, it ships First Class Package = )

[berserkerplanet]

From muttlymob's post in other thread:

COMMERCIAL
https://pe.usps.com/text/
dmm300/201.htm#ep1097318
The address side of the parcel must be
large enough to contain all delivery and
return address, endorsement, postage,
and label elements. A First-Class Package
Service — Commercial parcel

So unless label size is reduced to fit on 1 side (without violating the specific label field size criteria - in another USPS doc I can't recall offhand), wrapping the label is technically verboten.

I do it too once in a while

[cynthealee2]

I've been known to ship things in the small travel size ceral boxes (inside out) those are what...1.5 x 4 ish?

*ducks all the reused food box naysayers*

[7606dennis]

The item to be shipped determines the size of the box needed.  It is the total shipping weight of the package that determines if it can be shipped as a First Class Package or not.

[berserkerplanet]

I guess the minimum size specifications aren't enforced 🙂

[myboardid]

I send hundreds of 4" x 4" boxes with the labels wrapped around the edge,  also 5" x 5".  I use whatever box the item will safely fit in and still be able to keep the weight down while not wasting packing materials as unnecessary filler. 

[berserkerplanet]

More evidence that the standards are not enforced - there is no ambiguity in that DMM excerpt - the label must fit on the address side of a First Class package. (I looked at the DMM and that requirement applies to both retail parcels and commercial packages)

That doesn't mean it has to be a 4"x6" eBay, PayPal, Stamps, Endicia, Amazon, etc label though. As long as it's a "legal" label format with the proper IMpb barcodes and other required fields in acceptable layouts, and does not violate or stray too far from the label field standards delineated in USPS Parcel Labeling Guide (fields, fonts, colors, sizes, layout, label placement) by excessive print shrinking to make it fit, it could be a smaller label.

https://ribbs.usps.gov/barcode_cert/documents/tech_guides/ParcelLabelingGuide.pdf

I'm not judging, wagging a finger, or disagreeing with you, just pointing out that wrapping a label technically requires postal workers to look the other way, that situation may not continue indefinitely, and some shippers may be in for a surprise some day.

Just like I was taken by surprise by the 22" max length dimension now allowed for FCP - I've been shipping longish FCP on rare occasion for years, but now it's technically verboten too. I recently learned that from muttlymob's excerpt post in another thread, and went ahead and mailed a light tennis racquet as a 29" long 15.9oz FCP anyway as a test to see if APV would catch it based on length. I had listed it that way because a while back I quit actually reading through the DMM every year and was unaware of the change. Still don't know if USPS actually cares about that one either (delivered a few days ago, and waiting for either a howl from the buyer about postage due or an APV backcharge at some point)

DMM 201.8.3.2 subsection d first appeared in the 2016 DMM

    d. A mailpiece that does not exceed 22 inches in length,

        18 inches in width, and 15 inches in thickness.

prior to that size (other than 108" L+G maximum) was a non-issue.

The above size restriction appears to only apply to FCP (commercial First Class Packages.) Looks like Retail First Class Mail Parcels ship under the old std where only the 108" L+G is in play. (DMM 101.6.4)

[partial*eclipse]

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berserkerplanet wrote: ... The above size restriction appears to only apply to FCP (commercial First Class Packages.) Looks like Retail First Class Mail Parcels ship under the old std where only the 108" L+G is in play. (DMM 101.6.4)

USPS now calls them all packages; they no longer use "parcel" for retail.  It's First-Class Package Services — Retail and First-Class Package Services — Commercial.

[berserkerplanet]

Thanks for the update.

I guess there is a newer release of the DMM than the 1/22/17 rev I have. Searching.... grabbed the new documents.

It appears other than the naming conventions, the dimensional info I posted above is still correct as of the 10/2/17 DMM.

This twice a year USPS document shuffle and price change is getting out of hand.