Every person mostly prefers the easiest way to do their work. In the same manner, USPS provides to ship the packages of the customers easily through these flat rate boxes. These Flat rate boxes are used to send heavy or small items at a reasonable price. When we compare to other services this is one of the best ways to ship your packages. Flat rate is 1-3 days shipping which USPS comes up with to deliver your package to your destination.
So in this article, we will provide detailed information regarding USPS flat rate boxes.
Table of Contents
Types of Flat Rate Boxes
There are three types of flat rate boxes available in the postal office.
They are Large Flat rate boxes, Medium Flat rate boxes, and Small Flat rate boxes. In these boxes, Small flat rate boxes are the best option to take your parcel to the destination. These small flat rate boxes are used to send jewellery, Electronic goods, and small items at free of cost and we can also go for international shipping using these boxes. There are three needed pieces of information before making these boxes like how it works, price, and size.
How Flat Rate boxes Work?
Using these boxes you will deliver your item within 1-3 days to our destination in the US. you should use branded boxes to get this flat rate. As we already discussed, the small rate boxes are the best option to ship your package because these boxes or envelopes are cheaper than the other.
By using these flat rate boxes you may send your items to long distances. One thing we have to keep in mind is that the package is not heavy that means the package should be less than 70lbs and the box flaps should be closed with your item at normal folds.
Delivery speed
USPS adopts the customer requirements about the delivery speed of the item. So based on this, USPS provides some service plans to ship the item on time. One of the services plans to deliver items to destinations is Flat rate shipping. This service takes 1-3 days to deliver your package anywhere in the US and even USPS delivers items overnight.
What are the Restrictions to follow?
USPS kept some restrictions that some of the items are disabled to ship. They are explosive, inflammable things, harmful things like cigarettes, tobacco, etc. so avoid these items in your package for shipping.
Size and price of the Box
Let us discuss the size and price of small flat rate boxes.
Dimensions:
Outside: 8 11/16″ x 5 7/16″ x 1 3/4″
Inside: 8 5/8″ x 5 3/8″ x 1 5/8″
Price: The cost of the box will be based on purpose.
- Commercial rate – $ 7.50
- Post Office (Retail and online) – $ 7.90
Table:
Price, Dimensions and maximum weight for Flat rate service using Boxes and Envelopes are shown below.
| Type of the Service | Dimensions | Maximum weight | Commercial rate | Post Office Rate |
| Small Flat Rate Box | Outside: 8 11/16″ x 5 7/16″ x 1 3/4″Inside: 8 5/8″ x 5 3/8″ x 1 5/8″ | Up To 70lbs | $ 7.50 | $ 7.90 |
| Medium Flat Rate Box – 1 (Top Loading) | Outside: 11 1/4″ x 8 3/4″ x 6″ Inside: 11″ x 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ | Up To 70lbs | $12.80 | $14.35 |
| Medium Flat Rate Box – 2(Side Loading) | Outside: 14″ x 12″ x 3 1/2″ Inside : 13 5/8″ x 11 7/8″ x 3 3/8″ | Up To 70lbs | $12.80 | $14.35 |
| Large Flat Rate Box | Outside: 12 1/4″ x 12 1/4″ x 6″ Inside: 12″ x 12″ x 5 1/2″ | Up To 70lbs | $17.60 | $19.95 |
| Flat Rate Envelope | 12 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ | Up To 70lbs | $ 6.95 | $ 7.35 |
| Gift Card Flat Rate Envelope | 10″ x 7″ | Up To 70lbs | $ 6.95 | $ 7.35 |
| Window Flat Rate Envelope | 10″ x 6″, 12 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ | Up To 70lb | $6.96 | $7.35 |
| Small Flat Rate Envelope | 10″ x 6″ | Up To 70lb | $6.96 | $7.35 |
| Padded Flat Rate Envelope | 12 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ | Up To 70lb | $7.55 | $8.00 |
| Legal Flat Rate Envelope | 15″ x 9 1/2″ | Up To 70lb | $7.25 | 1$7.65 |
Labels that are used for Flat Rate Boxes
For every shipping, the pack should contain a label corresponding to that item. So you have to stick a label on your box by office or store. The label that you affix to the box must match the package that means you are suppose to go through the priority mail flat rate box then you have to stick a priority mail Express label on it.
Types of Envelopes
There are different types of envelopes provided by USPS so, let us discuss the price and sizes of the envelope.
Flat Rate Envelopes
We also need to know about one more information about flat rate Envelopes. Likely as flat rate boxes, these envelopes are also used for mailing easily. By using these envelopes you should send or receive your documents, letters, passports and more.
Dimensions: 12 1/2″ x 9 1/2″
Price:
- Commercial rate – $ 6.95
- Post Office (Retail and online) – $ 7.35
Gift Card Flat Rate Envelope
These envelops are used to send gift cards, greeting card, surprise card etc.
Dimensions: 10″ x 7″
Price :
- Commercial Base- $6.95
- Post Office (retail & online) – $7.35
Window Flat Rate Envelope
These envelops are used to send pre-addressed envelops. Generally, they are small in size so they can insert easily.
Dimensions: 10″ x 6″, 12 1/2″ x 9 1/2″
Price :
- Commercial Base- $6.96
- Post Office (retail & online) – $7.35
These are used to send pre-addressed envelopes
Small Flat Rate Envelope
These types of envelopes are used to ship important documents and passports.
Dimensions: 10″ x 6″
Price :
- Commercial Base- $6.96
- Post Office (retail & online) – $7.35
Padded Flat Rate Envelope
These envelopes are mostly used to send books, clothes and small gadgets.
Dimensions: 12 1/2″ x 9 1/2″
Price :
- Commercial Base- $7.55
- Post Office (retail & online) – $8.00
Legal Flat Rate Envelope
Legal Flat rate envelope are used to send legal documents.
Dimensions: 15″ x 9 1/2″
Price :
- Commercial Base- $7.25
- Post Office (retail & online) – $7.65
There above are different types of envelopes that are used to send different types of items. Choose the required one to ship your item at a reasonable price.
Conclusion
The small Flat rate boxes are the best option to ship your items. We hope the information provided in this article will be helpful for you to choose the right one. If you like this article and it helps you, share the information with your peers to acquire the knowledge about USPS flat-rate services.