Can I tape 2 identical boxes together and ship using only one shipping label?

[decks1017]

I recently sold 2 different items to the same buyer. Both items are in identical boxes (7x5x2)  Can I tape the 2 identical boxes together and ship using only one shipping label? Thanks!

[2016betterlife]

If you're doing that to save on shipping, you need to consider that what you're selling to buyers is two link sales? In that case you should consider

[simba6]

It's allowed by both eBay and shippers.  However, unless your buyer agreed to it, they might be unhappy unless you give a shipping discount.  It might not cost that much less to ship and the buyer could expect a 50% discount.   If it's two purchases, I would ship two packages  to avoid  an unhappy buyer. 

[albertabrightalberta]

If the buyer agrees to combined shipping, why not put both items into one larger box that holds both? 

[lakefor94]

I am doing that in the morning, taping boxes together from 2 orders. I have Free Shipping.  The buyer will take it however I ship it.

If the buyer was paying shipping on 2 orders and I ship the 2 orders together, I refund the difference to the buyer

The carriers have no problem with taping boxes together. 

[ms.rodriguez*]

You can NOT do that if the boxes are flat rate priority mail boxes.  USPS will charge you for Each box.  You can always wrap brown paper around the two boxes (unless they are priority flat rate boxes or priority boxes and you are trying to avoid paying priority mail rate.).   You can also also slip the two boxes inside those plastic mailing envelops.  

[lja440]

As long as they are standard (non-flat rate or regional rate) boxes, that is fine. BUT, as a mail carrier I have some hints.

#1 use the right type tape and use enough of it. 

#2 know that if your combined boxes measure over 1 cubic foot you might be paying more postage on that one combined box than you would by shipping them individually. 

[lja440]

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@ms.rodriguez* wrote:

You can NOT do that if the boxes are flat rate priority mail boxes.  USPS will charge you for Each box.  You can always wrap brown paper around the two boxes (unless they are priority flat rate boxes or priority boxes and you are trying to avoid paying priority mail rate.).   You can also also slip the two boxes inside those plastic mailing envelops.  

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I have been a mail carrier for 21 years. I can count on one hand the number of wrapped boxes that have not been in some way damaged. AND that number is smaller than the number of pieces of paper with labels that I have delivered after they made  it to the Post Office missing the box they were shipped around.

[funfinds122]

I don't see why not, but make sure you don't end  up with an oversized item aka dimensional weight. 

[funfinds122]

What discount?  The double box will weigh double. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

Yes, we already knew that two years ago thanks to a post from a USPS employee.

[richard1rst]

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@albertabrightalberta wrote:

If the buyer agrees to combined shipping, why not put both items into one larger box that holds both? 

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EXACTLY - Are you familiar with the expression "Penny wise and Pound foolish"

I had a supplier do that once. The tape let go and, since the label was in effect on only one of the boxes.  I got one and the other would up in what used to be called the "Dead Letter Office" (i.e. I never got it).

PUT THEM IN ONE LARGER BOX AND QUIT SCREWING AROUND.

Concerns expressed by others about it being over 1 cubic foot are dismissed because you said they are 7x5x2. Therefore a box 7x5x4 will do just nicely,.

[kh-shakhib]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.