using altered USPS priority boxes for shipping

[henderson409]

I just pieced two "used" USPS priority shoe boxes together to ship an item.  I only used about 5 inches of the second box.  I purchased the priority shipping label with correct weight and size from eBay and off to the post office I went.  The clerk refused to post the package stating it is illegal to alter USPS mailing media.  Luckily she said I could wrap the whole box in brown paper.  I purchased a doll from a seller in my same state 3 hours from me, that seller used two priority shoe boxes taped together for priority shipment.  It took 6 days for the priority delivery less than 300 miles away.  This was in Ohio.  I wondered if it was the altered box issue?   Seems kind of petty for USPS to worry about that when they really need to worry about safely handling of peoples shipped items.  Anyone else run into the altered priority box issue?

[chevymontecarlo88]

I was always under the impression that you could alter priority mail boxes unless they were FLAT RATE boxes. I have cut down some of there regular boxes that were too big and never had an issue. Things may have changed but that is how i understood it.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@henderson409 wrote: ....  The clerk refused to post the package stating it is illegal to alter USPS mailing media.  Luckily she said I could wrap the whole box in brown paper. ...

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Many clerks have their own special policies and opinions which are not consistent with official USPS regulations.  For instance, USPS says it's OK to alter or combine the Priority boxes, except for the flat-rate ones.  

USPS official policy also strongly discourages customers from wrapping packages in brown paper.  I find it amusing that your clerk used one bad policy to override another.  Where is the logic in permitting abuse of Priority boxes (in the clerk's opinion) by hiding it??

[chevymontecarlo88]

Many clerks have their own special policies and opinions which are not consistent with official USPS regulations.

Exactly. ☝️

USPS official policy also strongly discourages customers from wrapping packages in brown paper. I find it amusing that your clerk used one bad policy to override another.

It happened (contradiction of policy) to a colleague of mine frequently. The same clerk would make stuff up all the time that contradicted what they stated days earlier. It stopped once they would record the transaction on there phone. It is amazing how differently some will act if they are being recorded. Ironically they have cameras all over the place and you would think they would know better.

[biggymoe]

You have received two correct answers.  I have altered, to enlarge, the boxes many times.  Just last week, I put two of the Shoe Boxes together.  Like you, I only needed a few extra inches.  Have never had a problem with them being accepted.

However, never do that with the Flat Rate boxes.  They will be rejected, or returned.

[mybigsale]

I was once told at my post office the flat rate envelopes are only for literally flat mail - official policy is if it fits it ships (within weight max). I would just drop in mail bin with prepaid postage. Never had an issue.

Regular priority mailboxes can be taped together (like your shoe boxes) or resized. No reason/not recommended to paper over boxes.  Not true for flat rate boxes. I read it on the USPS site at one time with a lot of searching.

[deserdog]

I have altered 1000s of priority boxes. Never had a problem with it. But I do not tape then togater, I hot glue them togather. Much stronger.

[umoraski]

I have used altered Priority Boxes before - and never had a problem.    I did send the item Priority Mail so I did pay the correct rate according to the weight and size.   Never had a problem.   I think it depends on whoever is working at the PO.    

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@mybigsale wrote:

I was once told at my post office the flat rate envelopes are only for literally flat mail ...

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Several years ago, a USPS newsletter for staff erroneously stated that flat-rate envelopes must be flat.  They quickly issued a correction, but this misunderstanding persists.  One of the memos they sent out has some amusing points in their FAQ, in addition to stating twice that “ 'Flat' refers to the price, not to the shape":

https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2016/pb22435/html/updt_002.htm

[inhawaii]

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@chevymontecarlo88 wrote:

I was always under the impression that you could alter priority mail boxes unless they were FLAT RATE boxes. I have cut down some of there regular boxes that were too big and never had an issue. Things may have changed but that is how i understood it.

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Correct.

I used to sell an item that required I used 2 PM shoe boxes joined together.

Some clerks would refuse it.

The postmaster said it was ok as long as they were not PM flat rate boxes.

Adding on...

This is the same postmaster that told me I could use PM supplies as packaging as long as that packaging is used/shipped in a Priority Mail box.  That surprised me.