Flat Rate Boxes

[sin-n-dex]

So I'm having a back and forth with a buyer tonight about some proof sets... he asked me why I'm not using the flat rate boxes. (Simple answer is because I live in Canada and use courier to get my items to New York).

The courier doesn't care if I have flat rate boxes, as long as the postage is right.

Can someone fill me in? If I go to my post office in Niagara Falls New York, do I just ask for them? Is there a limit on what I can take? Do I pay anything for them? Do I need to show them anything to prove they are intended to be used for mailing?

We've got lots of toys (and proof sets and things that weigh a little over a pound), and the flat rate boxes sound like a good solution to getting a box and putting as much as I want in the box for a flat rate.

But before I spend $30 in fuel to go to New York, I'd like to know how to go about this.

Thanks folks!

C.

[swenson8781]

It depends on the size of the flat rate boxes you are wanting.  At the post office they should have 'medium' flat rate boxes (square and rectangle shape), and often times 'large' flat rate boxes.  They are usually in a kiosk in the center of the post office, and you can simply grab them.  And yes, they are free, usually no limit on what you can grab (if they are out or not enough at the kiosk you might want to ask at the counter), no proof of needed for showing that you are using them for mailing (just tell them you sell on eBay). 

I tried using my account to see if they would ship them, as they can be ordered online also.  Unfortunately, there isn't an option to ship to Canada, sorry!  If you have any relatives in NY, you could have them shipped there though.

[chrysylys]

Most POs only have a limited supply of PM boxes and they don't have all sizes.  So No, you can't go and just get  all you want.  If you have a US mailing address, you can order them from the USPS website.

[a_c_green]

The Flat Rate Priority Mail boxes are freely available at post offices, generally just sitting on a display in the lobby, so you can take what you need. However, if your items are only around a pound in weight, Flat Rate would be a complete ripoff; they'll only save you money if the item is a few pounds in weight or more (depending on how far it's going).

If the package weighs less than a pound, it could go First Class Package instead, for which you can purchase labels on-line up to 15.999 ounces. (The weight limit for FCP postage purchased over the counter at the post office is 13.0 ounces.) For either First Class Package or non-Flat Rate Priority, you can use your own packaging. Only Flat Rate shipping requires its own special packaging from the USPS.

[thallidguy]

Others have already given you a good explanation of Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes and how they work, but I just want to make sure I understand your situation: You live in Canada but you do your shipping by USPS out of the Niagara Falls post office? I know that many Canadians who live near the border do this because it's cheaper; just want to make sure I understand.

The one thing that I would emphasize is that it really depends on the weight and destination whether Flat Rate Boxes make sense for you. USPS advertises the Flat Rate Boxes based on convenience — "If it fits, it ships for one low price!" is the slogan — but this has gulled a lot of people into thinking that it's always a bargain. If it's a light item that is not traveling far — within New York state, for instance — then USPS' normal weight-based rates are probably cheaper.

Years ago, shortly after the Flat Rate Boxes were introduced, I overheard a conversation at the post office in which the clerk must have spent five minutes trying to get some guy to understand that a Flat Rate Box was going to cost him more than the normal rate structure. The guy had seen the TV commercial, he knew what he wanted!

There's also Regional Rate Boxes, which offer you a range of "if it fits, it ships for one price" rates depending on how far it's traveling. But I don't know if you can get them at the post office. They're free, but I think you have to order them through usps.com and buy postage online.

[generaluser3]

If you check on the USPS.com website, you'll see the measurements of the various boxes and envelopes.  You can estimate the size you'll need and if your items will fit.

The small Flat-Rate box is usually too small for my purposes, but it may work for you.  The post offices usually have on hand:  Small, Medium, and Large flat-rate boxes.  They also have the cardboard flat-rate envelope. 

They usually have them stocked in the lobby area, and you can take as many as you need.  There's no charge for them, and you don't need to show them any kind of "proof" that you'll be using them for their intended purpose. 

Make sure the box/envelope say Flat-Rate on them, as sometimes they have these other kinds of boxes and envelopes available for purchase, and also Express Mail boxes.

Lots of sellers, myself included, love the Padded flat-rate envelope, but they never have that in stock at the post offices.  They also never stock the Regional Rate boxes.  Those you'd have to order online. 

Of course I don't know what the NY post offices do.  Perhaps call them to find out what size flat-rate packaging they have in stock and available at all times?

[ted_200]

We've got lots of toys (and proof sets and things that weigh a little over a pound), and the flat rate boxes sound like a good solution to getting a box and putting as much as I want in the box for a flat rate.

As was pointed out already, if you can get under the weight limit, First Class Parcel is always a better deal than Priority Mail of any sort.

You can fit 2 or 3 US Proof Sets in a Small Flat Rate Box, the bulkier Canada Sets will fit in one too, but maybe not more than one unless they're the flat pack envelope type sets.   While the bigger Medium and Large FRBs (and the Regional Rate FRBs) might not always be the best deal (shipping under 2 lb. parcels to adjacent postal zones, for example) there isn't really any cheaper Priority Mail rate than the Small Flat Rate box, so if it will fit into one, use that.  There's also a Flat Rate Priority Mail envelope that would be of similar use (and price).  If you make the trip, get some of those too.

[partial*eclipse]

The Medium flat-rate box will never be cheaper than the regular zoned postage cost for a 2-pound package.  The retail postage cost for a Medium flat-rate box is $13.60, and the postage cost for a  2-pound package ranges from $7.20 to $12.75.  Even if you're shipping 4 pounds, the MFRB doesn't save until you're shipping to Zone 5 or farther.

The Small flat-rate box, originally designed to hold a VHS videotape, has inside measurements of 8 5/8 x 5  3/8 x 1 5/8. Not many toys will fit in such a small box.

For packages of 1+ to 2 pounds, the only special Priority Mail packaging that will be cheaper than the regular rates would be the flat rate envelopes.

Most PO's keep a supply of the Medium and Large FRB's in stock because postage for them is a profit center. The Priority Mail boxes are free and are just kept on a rack in the lobby, but quantities are limited.

 There's a chart with dimensions and postage prices for the flat-rate packaging on the second page of the official USPS rates publication, Notice 123.

http://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/dmm300/notice123.pdf

[llllady]

If you decide to make the trip, try to find out where all the area post offices are just in case the one you hit has only a small supply.

Don't know what it is like up there, but down here, we have 4 or 5 post offices within 3 to 4 miles.   Maybe this P.O. locator will help:

https://tools.usps.com/go/POLocatorDetailsAction!input.action?&radius=20&locationType=po&locationTyp...

[lookng2015]

Do you know anyone in NF that would be willing to let you have USPS ship some of the free PM boxes to them and you can go pick them up? I know USPS won't ship to other than a US address.

I know it's a little strange but you could also open a box with some Mail Box place in NF USA and get them sent there?

[slati_2013]

The boxes are free. You can order them online. You do need a US address to send them to. If you have friends in the US, you can order it to their address, and pick it up from there or ask them to ship it to you. Of late I have found myself using the Priority Mail Regional Box A, which depending on weight, I have found to be far cheaper than flat rate boxes. 

[retrose1]

If you are looking to ship a few proof sets in one, go for the rectangle small Priority Flat Rate box - it makes about the size of a VHS tape.  OR you might want to grab a few Priority FR pasteboard envelopes.  Secure the proof sets between a couple of pieces of cardboard and slide them in.  Under $7 anywhere in the US.

You have to watch the weight, a lot of times they are no bargain.  Example the large board game FR box is $18+ to ship any weight and is shaped to fit a Monopoly game which would only cost about $13+ to ship anywhere in the US.  I tend to use them as my go to for anything around a pound because you never know where something is going.

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

You tend to use the LFRB as your go to box for anything around a pound? I'm guessing that's not what you meant.

[duggmills]

Can your courier bring flat rate boxes fro US to you for less than the $30 in gas although they may only deliver your sold items to one Post Office.

I would think Niagara Falls Post Offices would have more on hand as I'd guess they get an above average number of Canadians getting those boxes.

Now might be a good time to try as I think if as many snowbirds from Ontario are in US  for the season as there are Canadians here in Arizona the Post Office may have a sufficient supply of boxes.

[sin-n-dex]

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@swenson8781 wrote:

It depends on the size of the flat rate boxes you are wanting.  At the post office they should have 'medium' flat rate boxes (square and rectangle shape), and often times 'large' flat rate boxes.  They are usually in a kiosk in the center of the post office, and you can simply grab them.  And yes, they are free, usually no limit on what you can grab (if they are out or not enough at the kiosk you might want to ask at the counter), no proof of needed for showing that you are using them for mailing (just tell them you sell on eBay). 

I tried using my account to see if they would ship them, as they can be ordered online also.  Unfortunately, there isn't an option to ship to Canada, sorry!  If you have any relatives in NY, you could have them shipped there though.

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I think I'd be looking for a variety of sizes, since most of what I ship is a bit smaller than the medium box.

I received a PM that my courier has them, and their website says they are looking for 5 cents each box (to cover their cost of bringing them into Canada). I might be better to drive up there and get some.

No family in the USA unfortunately... but my friend lives about 30 minutes from the border, so I sometimes head over there while visiting.

Cheers, C.