Use of Priority Mail Packing materials For Ground advantage is a Crime

[wolf_audio]

I am probably going to raise a few attacks for this thread. But it is a commonly increasing crime for sellers to use USPS provided "Free" PRIORITY SERVICE packaging for any other use than Priority mail, I received 4 items recently from sellers who used a Priority box and some even used padded priority mailers as bubble wrap and then concealed its identity as "PRIORITY Mail Only" with a Poly bag ! Do you know That is a crime that is costing ALL of us in a trickle down effect raising the postal rates higher and higher, I will Report any more illegal use of materials to my local postal manager. It is very easy to source free legal packing materials, I get mine from several contractors in the area and do my part to reuse and recycle ,

[simba6]

Well not quite.   It says  misuse (undefined)  may be a violation of federal law.     I do agree people should not do that.  They did take away our easy access to the tape but then it said it was a label.  Was using it to close a priority box misuse?

[epowerbargains]

I agree with you - this is just not right.  It would be sad if USPS stops this service due to misuse. It's not that hard to source free boxes, bubble wrap, envelopes. I find all that I need for free on a local online platform. I have even picked up brand new envelopes in bulk for free that I both use and re-sell. Recently I picked up 3 huge bags of assorted great brand-new bubble wrap - free.  This way it gets used and not tossed into the landfill. Stores are often happy to get rid of boxes of all size. 

Misuse of USPS Priority flat rate materials is flat out wrong in my view and people who do this should be reported. Honestly, when I get packages using USPS Flat rate materials as packing, I am seriously tempted to leave a red donut as feedback. 

[powell-memorabilia]

Plenty of valid reasons to use priority packing supplies without sending priority.  Maybe outdated boxes (regional rate, old flat rate dims), previously used priority boxes are just two examples.

[wolf_audio]

Yes It surly is a crime to conceal the identity of a Priority Mail package or padded mailer with opaque / black tape or other packing such as the thin poly bags, You're correct that  It is Not illegal to seal a priority service package with supplied tapes indicating Priority mail and paying for the service.

Quoting from USPS website the following.

If any Priority Mail Express service or Priority Mail service packaging or packaging supplies e.g., Priority Mail tape to seal a USPS Ground Advantage™ package, are used on any other class of mail, the applicable Priority Mail Express or Priority Mail price will be charged. Misuse may be a violation of federal law.Jul 9, 2023

 (ie) it is a Felony crime,

[wolf_audio]

Right on!. I had 1 seller actually say he did nothing wrong. and admitted doing it for years,

 We all are in this together, If we lose the post office, Think about it,,,, I have  a 5 mile trip to FedEx/UPS terminal, Post office picks up even 24inch by 24X12 inch cartons from my porch:)

[wolf_audio]

I'll avoid your store, no offense its just wrong to use Priority "free" pavking materials for any other service,

 USPS website quote,

If any Priority Mail Express service or Priority Mail service packaging or packaging supplies e.g., Priority Mail tape to seal a USPS Ground Advantage™ package, are used on any other class of mail, the applicable Priority Mail Express or Priority Mail price will be charged. Misuse may be a violation of federal law.Jul 9, 2023

[epowerbargains]

I think that the message is directed at folks that use current brand-new USPS branded priority flat rate materials as padding or under non-USPS priority flat rate coverings/packing.  I doubt that anyone would object to use of used/outdated/obsolete materials that can no longer be used in the manner for which it was created. I sometimes use some outdated/obsolete fed-ex materials I received for free as packing. But before I did that I confirmed with fed-ex that if I turned it into them, they would trash it as it is obsolete. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@powell-memorabilia wrote:

Plenty of valid reasons to use priority packing supplies without sending priority.  Maybe outdated boxes (regional rate, old flat rate dims), previously used priority boxes are just two examples.

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The Regional rate boxes are still Priority Mail boxes; now they ship at the regular rates based on weight and Zone.  The only obsolete flat-rate package I'm aware of is the Large flat rate "board game" box; when USPS discontinued making them, the announcement clearly stated that customers could still use up existing supplies at the Large flat rate price.

USPS policy states that Priority Mail packaging belongs to them and should ever be used for any other service. Used doesn't matter.

[12345jamesstamps]

I have never seen USPS that have packages that are dark waterproof packages...that would be FedEx I believe.

Unless one needs to ask for them...years gone and I never knew...but pretty sure they don't have those.

I am for recycling boxes and such and damaged boxes and such.

How does one know a box or a bag is not being recycled?...per your photos....and in San Francisco we recycle everything...I dig in the trash for boxes all the time(thank you young people)....we have 3 separate bins for trash where one bin is only for paper, bottles and cans...unlike in some states there is no separating of trash.

Does New York have 3 color coded bins for trash like San Francisco?

[lakefor94]

"I will Report any more illegal use of materials to my local postal manager."

smh, and the postmaster will give you an accommodating few sentences and go about real business like, moving mail in and out of their branch.

[worldcoinauctions]

I used to use recycled priority packages as filler or extra packing material, but I have seen sellers get an extra postage fee added for using a priority box inside another box, the shipment was upgraded to priority and they were charged. I don't know how the USPS detects that, but be advised.

[slyders_finds]

They probably do random checks of mainly media mail boxes. I had a guy send me a skateboard deck media mail. And it was so obvious that it wasnt a 31" x 9" book. Lol. USPS Priority boxes have a very distinct shape. Some people just wrap in plastic or brown paper wrapping. They can cut a little and check. And the customer will get charged the extra postage when they have to go and pick it up. 

[slyders_finds · Accepted solution]

I remember a few years back people were selling USPS supplies on Ebay. And the stuff was selling well! I think the USPS finally put some pressure on Ebay to remove or else. 

[toysaver]

Unfortunately, if you google free USPS Ground Advantage shipping supplies you are led to the USPS site and how to order free boxes.   You have to read and comprehend the small print to understand the Priority restrictions.   Not everyone does this.

The PO uses Ground Advantage to ship Priority supplies which is why the confusing connection appears.