How Much Does a USPS Small Flat Rate Box Cost?
A USPS small flat rate box is one of the different means of accessing flat rate shipping services offered by the United States Postal Service. Other options include USPS flat rate envelopes. USPS flat rate boxes come at different costs, depending on the size. Let’s discuss this below.
What is the Cost of a USPS Small Flat Rate Box?
There are different prices for USPS flat rate boxes, depending on the size of the box. The USPS small flat rate box costs $10.20 and above.
Note that the above price is only applicable at the Post Office and varies at other commercial outlets. At commercial outlets, the price starts at $8.55.
Also, keep in mind that there are also other types of USPS flat rate boxes including the Medium Flat Rate Box (1 & 2) and the Large Flat Rate Boxes.
The costs for either of the above-named boxes are higher than that of a USPS small flat rate box. Let’s discuss them below.
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What is USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate?
USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate is a mail service available on the United States Postal Service that allows people to ship packages in boxes at a predetermined rate.
This can be done through boxes or envelopes. Unlike traditional mail options that charge based on weight and distance, flat-rate mail is billed based on the standard size of a box or envelope.
USPS flat rate boxes and envelopes come in different sizes and are ideal for varying types of items ranging from office supplies to clothing, shoes, computers, basketballs to even appliances.
Boxes and envelopes can be purchased at post office locations and other commercial outlets at affordable prices. Consider some of the advantages of this mail option below:
What are the Advantages of USPS Flat Rate Shipping?
1. Ease of use
2. Packaging is free
3. Fixed cost to help customers prepare shipping budgets appropriately
4. There are no surcharges like in other mail types
5. Features free tracking and insurance
6. Wide coverage within the US, including destinations such as Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico
7. The mail carrier picks up outbound packages at no additional cost.
How Much Does a USPS Flat Rate Box Cost?
As mentioned earlier, the costs of USPS flat rate boxes vary with the different categories of flat rate boxes. The types of flat rate boxes available at USPS are:
1. USPS Small Flat Rate Box
2. USPS Medium Flat Rate Box – 1
3. USPS Medium Flat Rate Box – 2
4. USPS Large Flat Rate Box
Apart from these, other flat rate boxes include the large flat rate board game box and the prepaid forever Priority Mail flat rate packaging.
The boxes differ in their dimensions and can be used to ship different kinds of packages. Below are the details about the different boxes.
1. USPS Small Flat Rate Box
USPS small flat rate boxes are ideal for shipping items such as small electronics and brochures and have inside dimensions of 8 ⅝ inches by 5 ⅜ inches by 1 ⅝ inches.
The outside dimensions are 8 11/6 inches by 5 7/16 inches by 1 ¾ inches. The cost of a USPS flat small flat rate box is $8.55 (commercial pricing) and $10.20 (at the post office).
2. USPS Medium Flat Rate Box – 1
A USPS medium flat rate box – 1 is ideal for packages such as office supplies and shoes. It has inside dimensions of 11 inches by 8 ½ inches by 5 ½ inches.
The outside dimensions are 11 ¼ inches by 8 ¾ inches by 6 inches. At the post office, a USPS medium flat rate box costs $17.10 while its commercial pricing is $14.75.
3. USPS Medium Flat Rate Box – 2
Ideal for office supplies and shoes, the USPS medium flat rate box – 2 has inside dimensions of 13 ⅝ inches by 11 ⅞ inches by 3 ⅜ inches.
The outside of the box has dimensions of 14 inches by 12 inches by 3 ½ inches. It can be acquired by customers at the rate of $17.10 (at the post office) and $14.75 (commercial pricing).
4. USPS Large Flat Rate Box
The USPS large flat rate box is compatible with packages containing laptops, computers, gifts, and more. It has inside dimensions of 12 inches by 12 inches by 5 ½ inches.
The outside dimensions are 12 ¼ inches by 12 ¼ inches 6 inches. Pricing for the USPS large flat rate box starts at $22.80 (at the post office) and $19.90 (commercial pricing).
5. APO/FPO/DPO Flat Rate Box
APO/FPO/DPO (Air/Army Post Office)/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office) flat rate boxes come with the “America Supports You” logo and are ideal for sending gifts and other items to people in the military.
They have inside dimensions of 12 inches by 12 inches by 5 ½ inches and outside dimensions of 12 ¼ inches by 12 ¼ inches by 5 ½ inches. The price is $21.20 (at the post office) and $18.35 (commercial pricing).
READ ALSO!!!
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- How to Schedule USPS Pickup Online?
- How Does USPS Track Package Internationally?
- How to Monitor Your US Postal Service Tracking?
Final Words
A USPS small flat rate box is very much affordable and is best for shipping items such as small electronics and brochures.
Regardless of the size of the flat rate box you decide to use, commercial pricing is usually lower compared to what is obtainable at the post office.
USPS flat rate envelopes are handy alternatives for you to ship your items in a similar way to boxes. Note, however, that the prices vary.
If you want to curtail excesses and other surcharges that are applicable to other mailing services, the USPS flat rate service is just best for you.
More so, you do not have to worry about carrier pickup charges. More excitingly, insurance and tracking come for free when you use the USPS flat rate service.