USPS Parcel Select

[themerakiquest]

Hello, I was trying to ship a pair of shoes in the USPS Priority shoe box today, but was confronted by my mail man because I chose to ship it using parcel select. I am so confused as to what parcel select is, and thought I chose the right option. Can anyone tell me what packages you can use for parcel select and how it works? Also, when I was shipping the shoes I didn't see the USPS Priority mail shoe box option when purchasing my label. So if you are shipping shoes in this box, what option would you pick for your label? Thanks everyone!

[1tuna]

I think you picked the correct shipping method but wrong box

as far as I know you have to use a plain old box for parcel select

you used the box for priority mail which needs to use the priority rate fee schedule

I only use first class USPS and always had the idea that parcel select was like some sore of cut rate discount shipping

if you use the same style box again you need to choose priority

@themerakiquest 

[nobody*s_perfect · Accepted solution]

Parcel Select Ground is not a type of Priority Mail, so you cannot use the special Priority Mail boxes with a Parcel Select label.

Parcel Select Ground is an online-only postage option; at the Post Office, the equivalent is called Retail Ground. Both services used to be known as Parcel Post. This is a slower, ground service which is almost always slower than Priority Mail. It should be used only when (1) it is MUCH cheaper than Priority; or (2) when ground shipping is legally required, such as for hazmat.

When shipping via Priority Mail, you can use the special Priority Mail boxes that you get through USPS, or almost any other box.  If you use the special flat-rate or Regional-rate packaging, you have to purchase the appropriate special rate of postage. For any other packaging, including the "shoe" box, you just use regular Priority Mail rates that are based on weight and distance. At usps.com you can order at least 10 different sizes of boxes that are not flat rate or Regional rate, which would ship at regular Priority rates.

For Parcel Select shipping, you can use almost any other box except the boxes that are specifically for Priority Mail.

[dhbookds]

Priority boxes require priority labels.............in other words you can't use a different mail class, such as parcel select/first class, etc when you use a priority box. 

You have to use other boxes for parcel select or first class mail.........

[klhmdg]

Priority boxes free from the PO are only to be used for Priority shipping.

Parcel select, ground shipping, you need to use your own box.

Priority Flat Rate boxes must ship with the Priority Flat rate shipping option, not just Priority.

You should go to USPS and read the requirements for each type of shipping. 

To ship your shoes in the Priority box you would need to select Priority shipping fees. 

[jimw1776]

I use Priority and 1st class. Priority is automatically insured to $100.  1st class and parcel select are not insured unless you pay extra for it

If I need it insured, and USPS PM is real expensive,  I tend to use UPS or Fed Ex

[chapeau-noir]

@themerakiquest   For what you sell, you don't need parcel select - it won't save you or your buyer much.  First class and priority work better.

You can use any old box (that doesn't have liquor adverts on it) for both priority and parcel.  You can only use the priority boxes for priority (they're "free" but actually paid for as part of the priority service).

[themerakiquest]

Thank you so much for your reply! It was extremely informative and helpful! So if I have it right, are you saying that there is a "priority rate" out there that applies to ALL priority boxes (except flat rate)? So whether it is the shoebox or the small priority box or the priority envelope they all would go under the priority mail option for the label? Do all the priority boxes/packages go at the same rate per oz or pound? For example, if I had a cup and I put it in the priority shoebox would it go at the exact same weight based rate as if I put that same cup in the priority small box or does each priority box come with its own weight rate? Thanks to every one who responded! You guys are so great!