Do you have to pay for the usps flate rate box?

Question

I want to ship something in a flat rate box. It will cost me $9.80 to ship the item but I also need the box. Do I have to pay for the box or is that included in the price?

Answer 1

You just go in the post office and ask them where their flat rate boxes are, and there should be a couple sizes available. You can take it home, pack it up, and take it back to the post office. When they weigh it, ASK if it is cheaper to ship the package priority mail by weight. If so, request they slap priority mail stickers over the parts that say "Flat Rate Box" and it should be cheaper if it's under (I think) 5 pounds. Mine are usually $5.75 when they are under 5 pounds. If over, it's just the flat rate of $9.80 when shipping it out, with no additional charge for the box beforehand.

And why do those other answers all have a thumbs down?

They all look like good answers to me.

Answer 2

The packaging materials are provided at no charge for USPS Priority mail.

In deference to the one response here, you can NOT pay a variable rate when using the Flat Rate Box. Regardless of weight or Zone, the rate remains the same.

You can print shipping labels for Priority Mail at usps.com using Click-n-Ship. Doing this will benefit you in many ways. No trip to the Post Office, the Flat Rate Box postage is discounted to $9.30. You get Delivery Confirmation service for free, and your carrier can simply pick the package up at your door.

Remember, it is clearly stated in our Domestic Mail Manual that it does not matter how you conceal or reconfigure any of the free materials, the Priority Mail rate ALWAYS applies, and the Flat Rate ALWAYS applies if you use that particular box.

Covering the Flat Rate wording means nothing. If there is not $9.80 or $9.30 in postage applied, it will be sent on with Postage Due.

Answer 3

You pay for the box, and thats it.  Thats why its called Flat Rate. So shove as much stuff inside there as you want, you just pay for the box.

Answer 4

the box itself is free.  you can pick it up at the post office or go to usps.com and order some to be delivered to your house for free also.

Answer 5

The boxes are free, you can pick one up from any post office, or if you will be needing a bunch of them you can have then mailed to you free of charge. Though this usually takes a few weeks.