USPS Regional A or B Box Question - Can I use them for "Regular" Priority Mail and pay full price ?

[bargaindealz4u]

Hello,

I have excess USPS Regional A & B boxes on hand. Am I allowed to just black out (with a broad tip marker) the Regional A or Regional B text print on the boxes, and just use them for regular USPS Priority Mail... as long as I pay normal USPS Priority Mail Prices?

I asked my local post office counter person, and he "thinks it's okay". With that uncertainty and not locating anything on the USPS website, I thought I'd ask the community here.

Thoughts ?? Thanks in advance.

- Tim

[bgt_masters_of_tiki_d]

Yes you can use them. Only problem is you have to mark out everywhere on the box to where its no longer legible every bar code and where it says Regional A or B. I do this all the time without issue. The only issue I have ever have was the rare time I forgot to black out a bar code. As long as you do this and send priority mail you shouldn't have an issue. I do this many times a week. 

[nobody*s_perfect · Accepted solution]

If USPS does discontinue the Regional A and B rates, then the leftover boxes will probably be handled the same way that the leftover Regional C boxes were handled when that rate was discontinued:  Customers may still use the boxes, but regular Priority Mail rates (based on weight and dimensions) will apply.

[justafemster]

Darn it!  I really like the regional boxes!  

[redmodelt]

I read the information in the link provided back on page 1, have to say it was clear as muddy water if the Region A and B boxes are actually being discontinued or if it is only proposed. I see, proposed then next entry's read Yes then the one following the Yes says Error. 

Because of limited availability to the general populating, having to order them not being an "on the shelf" item, they have limited the use to us in the know. I do other shipping and for the people I ship to, they are a great cost saver. Yes, it would be sad to see them go. 

[ms.rodriguez*]

I had a 4 boxes of old international priority mail boxes that were no longer being used.  These boxes were only to be used for international shipping.  The post office told me to throw them away. So instead of wasting these great , very sturdy boxes,  I bought those plastic thin shipping bags sold at uline.com and I used each one covering the entire box inside of these plastic bags /envelops.    Do that but either use for regular priority mail or wait until these A/ B boxes are discontinued.  

You can also leave a bunch on the counter at the po and I am sure that someone else will pick them up.

[redmodelt]

By the way, speaking of international priority shipping boxes, that was talked about in the same subsection. 

[wastingtime101]

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@ms.rodriguez* wrote:

 I bought those plastic thin shipping bags sold at uline.com and I used each one covering the entire box inside of these plastic bags /envelops.    Do that but either use for regular priority mail or wait until these A/ B boxes are discontinued.  

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Anybody that wants to do this has to wait until the boxes are actually discontinued. USPS does not allow sticking a regional rate or a flat rate into a poly mailer and shipping at the weighted price.

Regional Rate A&B are currently still available, so if someone uses those boxes, they must pay for a Regional Rate label.

[wastingtime101]

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@bargaindealz4u wrote:

P.S. - If anyone has a source reference that they are aware of, that would be most helpful as well.

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[pjcdn2005]

The USPS proposes to eliminate Regional Rate Boxes(A/15 pounds and B/20 pounds) for Priority Mail and Priority Mail international. This proposalwill simplify the Priority Mail and Priority Mail International rate structure. This proposal will eliminate the Regional Rate Boxes A(max up to 15 lbs.) and B (max up to 20 lbs.

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I didn't realize that the regional boxes could be used for international mail.  It sort of defeats the purpose of the word 'regional'

Or perhaps I'm reading it wrong?

[nobody*s_perfect]

Currently there are no published international rates for using the Regional boxes, and I'm pretty sure that there never have been. I can't find any reference to them in the International Mail Manual (IMM).

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

https://pe.usps.com/text/imm/immc2_013.htm#ep2631155

This USPS Help page about Regional boxes notes that "Priority Mail International Regional Rate Box prices are available only to customers who have an agreement with the Postal Service using Permit Imprint or PC Postage. "

https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Regional-Rate-Boxes

[juicydrupes]

If you are patient, you can break the edge seal, and turn them inside out...and reconstruct.

I do this sometimes with Flat Rate Boxes.

[ms.rodriguez*]

I know that, that is why I stated once USPS stops the regional shipping option.

[ms.rodriguez*]

Now that is postal fraud.    Flat rate boxes are ONLY meant for flat rate shipping.   Many of the boxes are already marked on the inside.   Do not turn the boxes inside out.  Go to a supermarket and ask for any clean, small boxes.   Avoid boxes that contained flammable liquids, coffee, perfume or boxes that contained perishable food items because they might have bacteria.   Coffee boxes may set off the dogs that sniff for drugs.   Boxes marked flammable can NOT go on an airplane.  The post office will reject them if you try to use them for priority mail.    There are plenty of boxes.  The dollar stores are an excellent source for boxes and also for bubble wrap and that foam wrap that is excellent for wrapping too.

[wastingtime101]

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@ms.rodriguez* wrote:

I know that, that is why I stated once USPS stops the regional shipping option.

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Oh, I'm sure you do. Since your post said OR wait for them to be discontinued I thought it should be clarified for others reading that still question whether or not they can use that method before Regionals are discontinued. Figured it was a typo, but it did make a difference in the statement.

[wastingtime101]

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@juicydrupes wrote:

If you are patient, you can break the edge seal, and turn them inside out...and reconstruct.

I do this sometimes with Flat Rate Boxes.

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Don't be surprised when a buyer tells you USPS is requiring postage due for misuse of flat rate boxes.