Breaking any Rules?

[netwizz760]

I need to know if I am breaking any rules...

Have an item that weighs 1 lb 9oz, so it obviously does not qualify for First-Class.

It is going to California from the East Coast, Zone 8

2 lbs Priority is $14.90

... So I made a custom box by cutting down a Region Rate Box C

I sized it 3 x 3 x 17

That said its length came out a bit cattywampus either 17 or 17.5 depending upon which length you measure.  Measuring around I get 3", 3.125", 3", 3.25"

I think I am safe to call this a 3" x 3.25" x 17.5" box = 170.625/1728 - 0.0987 Cubic

... 0.1 Cubic

Does anybody disagree?

[richard1rst]

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@netwizz760 wrote:

I need to know if I am breaking any rules...

Have an item that weighs 1 lb 9oz, so it obviously does not qualify for First-Class.

It is going to California from the East Coast, Zone 8

2 lbs Priority is $14.90

... So I made a custom box by cutting down a Region Rate Box C

I sized it 3 x 3 x 17

That said its length came out a bit cattywampus either 17 or 17.5 depending upon which length you measure.  Measuring around I get 3", 3.125", 3", 3.25"

I think I am safe to call this a 3" x 3.25" x 17.5" box = 170.625/1728 - 0.0987 Cubic

... 0.1 Cubic

Does anybody disagree?

ABSOLUTELY !!!!!

You used a Regional Rate box. You will be charged the Regional Rate regardless of the size or weight of the box.

No problem with a custom sized box but use a GENERIC box. And of course you will need to use Pirateship or some company that has Cubic Pricing. eBay does not have it. If you use eBay you will be charged a 2 pound rate not the cubic rate.

By the way your $14.90 looks like the retail price. eBay and other online companies will charge about $11.00 depending on the ZIPS even without the Cubic Pricing.

[lja440]

No the RR'C' is discontinued so it is fine to modify (I work for USPS).  

and yes OP that will work for .1 cubic foot

[japan-treazures]

@netwizz760 

I have been selling and using priority boxes and it has always been my understanding that you are not supposed use USPS boxes that you get free for any other purpose other than to use them as they are intented/labeled.  

A friend of mine years ago, took two priority boxes and taped them together to get a bigger size and he even wrapped the box in brown paper, but, sent it retail ground. The paper ripped and the post office called him in and made him pay for priority shipping. He got lucky that the USPS let him off the hook with a warning. 

Here is what it says on the USPS website:

Can I Use Boxes Ordered at The Postal Store® for Other Purposes?

Boxes ordered from the Postal Store can be used only for the class of mail specified on the box (Priority Mail Express® service, Priority Mail® service, or Global Express Guaranteed®) and must be closed using the adhesive provided. These boxes should not be re-used and do not need to be as they can be ordered from the Postal Store at no cost. Misuse may be a violation of federal law.

The way your box is, you would be required to pay priority shipping. I would recommend calling your local post office and tell them your story and see if it is okay to do what you did. Plus, this would save you the embarrassment if it isn't okay. 

Hope this helps! 

[japan-treazures]

@lja440 

Sorry, when I opened this post no other posts were showing. Once I posted and hit reply two posts showed up. If I would have seen your post, I would not have replied to this post. 

I consider you our community board USPS residential SME and I respect all of your posts. I have learned a lot from your other posts. Thank you so much for all of those!

[nobody*s_perfect]

Cubic pricing IS Priority Mail, though that rate isn't available through eBay.

[japan-treazures]

You are right, must have had a brain f#@&. LOL! Thanks for keeping me straight. 

[netwizz760]

Okay, so what it comes down to is that since I am sending it Priority, it should be okay unless I get a Karen at a Post Office who decides it is an improper use, which may cause me an issue, so a plain box is better?

I did tape over the Region Box C to mask that out, and that is a plain Priority Mail Box... those can be resized, but not everybody at every post office in the USA necessarily knows the rules, so there is a  higher chance I get a mad buyer unless I use a plain cardboard?

[aproudparent2010]

It doesn't matter if you tape over the Region C part.

The box is a Region C and nothing changes that

[penguins_dont_fly]

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@aproudparent2010 wrote:

It doesn't matter if you tape over the Region C part.

The box is a Region C and nothing changes that

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But ... the Regional C's were discontinued 2 or 3 years (maybe more) ago.  There is no longer a "Regional C" rate.

Frankenboxing a Reg C is fine.

https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Regional-Rate-Boxes#:~:text=Regional%20Rate%20Box%20C%20has%20been%20...

Regional Rate Box C has been discontinued. Customers can continue using this box for shipping after January 17, 2016, but will be charged the appropriate Priority Mail price or Priority Mail International price based on weight and destination (zone for domestic, country for International).