What is considered a small package?
What is small package shipping? Envelopes or packaged shipments that weigh less than 150 lbs. are defined as “small package.” They are typically transported with small package companies such as FedEx or UPS.
What is the Smallest Package USPS Will Ship? According to USPS, the minimum package size is at least 6 inches in length, 3 inches in height, 1/4 of an inch in thickness, or 6 x 3 x 0.25. This regulation means that the size and height of your package box should be at least 6 inches in length and 3 inches in height.
Free Shipping Supplies Can Help Lower Shipping Costs
The USPS will keep you well-stocked with boxes, stickers, forms and more for free. These pre-printed envelopes, Tyvek® mailers and boxes can be used to send items through Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express, and they're eco-friendly.
UPS is often more expensive than USPS due to fees and surcharges, especially when it comes to shipping smaller packages. Generally, USPS offers much better rates when shipping smaller packages of less than two pounds. UPS typically is a better choice when shipping larger, heavier packages by offering superior value.
Use a sturdy box with enough room to add cushioning for fragile items and to prevent items from shifting. If you're reusing a box, make sure all old logos, shipping labels, and addresses are covered or blacked out.
Dimensions and Girth
Dimensional (cubic) pricing and dimensional (DIM) weight pricing are based on volume (length x width x height) rather than physical weight as the volume determines how much space the package takes up in the truck or airplane. Length: The longest size of the package.
The smallest box has a minimum length of 6 inches and a minimum height of 4 inches. If you need to send something smaller than these dimensions, choose the envelope packing. The largest size of the package offered by USPS is 130 inches of combined length and girth.
Coloured Postal Tubes
The Royal Mail small parcel size includes boxes measuring no more than 450 x 350 x 80mm, or 160 x 160 x 160mm, or a postal tube no longer than 450mm with diameter no greater than 80mm. A small parcel can also weigh no more than 2kg.
First-Class Mail® is an affordable mail service for standard-sized, single-piece envelopes weighing up to 3.5 oz and large envelopes and small packages weighing up to 13 oz. Prices start at $0.60 at a Post Office.
First Class Mail envelopes, flat rate envelopes, and USPS Priority Mail offer the lowest rates for small packages. Another option is to use cubic pricing. Cubic pricing is a special USPS service that offers lower shipping rates when sending small, heavy items that are under 20lbs with USPS Priority Mail.
How much does it cost to send a small box?
| Packaging | Sizes | Flat rate price |
|---|---|---|
| Envelopes and padded mailers | Multiple sizes available ranging from 10” x 5” to 15 ½” x 9 ½” | Starting at $7.75 for commercial Starting at $8.95 for non-commercial |
| Small box | 8 ⅝” x 5 ⅜” x 1 ⅝” | $8.25 for commercial $9.45 for non-commercial |
No cost to you whatsoever. As long as you're after USPS Priority Mail packaging, you can either pick up free boxes by walking into your local Post Office, or you can order them online on the USPS website.
| USPS Service | NEW Outside Dimensions |
|---|---|
| Priority Mail Box 1092 | 2-7/8” (H) x 12” (W) x 13-11/16” (L) |
| Priority Mail Box 1095 | 3-1/8” (H) x 12' (W) x 15” (L) |
| Priority Mail Regional Rate Box B | 3” (H) x 12” (W) x 15” (L) |
| Priority Mail Box 7 | 8-1/2” (H) x 12” (W) x12-1/4” (L) |
What's the Catch? No service is without its restrictions, but the ones on USPS boxes are more than reasonable. One of the first rules of flat rate boxes is that you must use them for flat rate shipping – no exceptions. Using them for any other purpose, like shipping through another mail service, is a crime.
As we mentioned above, combining your own custom packaging with the right USPS service is often more cost-effective than using flat-rate boxes. One such option is taking advantage of cubic pricing. Priority Mail cubic pricing is a more efficient USPS service for shipping small packages that weigh up to 20 pounds.
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USPS
- Small: 8 ⅝” x 5 ⅜” x 1 ⅝”
- Medium: 13 ⅝” x 11 ⅞” x 11” or 11” x 8 ½” x 5 ½”
- Large: 23 11/16” x 11 ¾” x 12” or 12” 12” x 5 ½”
For First-Class Mail, shape and weight will determine the price. For Priority Mail, the price is a combination of weight, size, and how far the mailpiece is traveling. Priority Mail pieces that exceed one cubic foot, are subject to "dimensional weight pricing".
The Box. Choose a box with enough room for cushioning material around the contents. Sturdy paperboard or corrugated fiberboard boxes are best for weights up to 10 pounds. If you are reusing a box, totally remove or obliterate all previous labels and markings with heavy black marker.
Shoeboxes or paperboard boxes should never be used. Remove old address labels, Hazardous Materials indicators such as diamond labels and markings, as well as delivery markings and bar codes from the previous shipment.
The Postal Service's goal is to scan all barcoded mailpieces (flats, letters, and packages) that enter the mailstream and track those items with additional scans up to the point of delivery. Scanning accuracy is critically important to the success of real-time visibility.
What if my package doesn't fit in the USPS box?
If it does not fit, USPS will leave a notice inside the PO Box. What are the PO Box™ forwarding guidelines and restrictions? Mail may be forwarded online from one PO Box to another PO Box or to a street address or by submitting a PS Form 3575, Change of Address Order.
The length fee is a nonstandard fee charged when the parcel length is either 22 inches up to 30 inches or more than 30 inches. The cubic fee is a nonstandard fee charged when the parcel cubic volume is more than 2 cubic feet (3,456 cubic inches). These can be charged for: Priority Mail Express (Retail and Commercial)
Items weighing 10 oz. or less or 1/2-inch in thickness or less with postage stamps can be deposited in Collection Boxes when: The correct postage, fees, and labels are affixed.
Does USPS scan packages to see what's inside? USPS does not scan or search first class or higher levels of mail. Media mail is randomly searched to make sure it really is just media mail.
What Can I Ship with 4x4x4” Box? Not all shipping boxes can accommodate items, so you need to find an appropriate box that can suit the product-type you have. If your products are small items like jewelry, mugs, makeup, perfumes, and more, the 4x4x4” Corrugated Boxes are ideal for you.
What counts as a 'small parcel'? Royal Mail states the maximum dimensions of a small parcel to be 45cm long, 35 cm wide and 16cm deep. That means a small parcel is roughly double the size of the average shoe box. However, should you choose to use your local post office, your item must also weigh no more than 2kg.
At UPS, flat-rate box sizes range from extra-small (1-100 cubic inches) starting at $9.45 to Extra-Large (1,051-1,728 cubic inches) starting at $24.30.
Packages weighing less than one pound start at $2.74 via USPS First Class Package Service. If your package weighs one pound, you'll want to use USPS Priority Mail which starts at $7.02 with Shippo's special Cubic pricing. USPS accepts packages weighing up to 70 pounds.
Is it cheaper to ship in a box or a padded envelope? Shipping a padded envelope is almost always cheaper than shipping a box, but it may not be the best option for your package depending on what you're shipping. Fragile or valuable items or shipments of multiple items are always best packed in boxes.
This depends on the thickness of your bubble mailer. Once packed, if your bubble mailer is 3/4 of an inch thick or less, it's considered an envelope. If your bubble mailer is over 3/4 of an inch thick, it's considered a package.
Will the mailman take small packages?
There is no limit to the number of packages that can be picked up. Proper postage must be applied. Mailpieces weighing more than 13 ounces bearing only postage stamps as postage must be taken by the customer to an employee at the retail counter of a Post Office, Contract Postal Unit, or Approved Shipper location.
Ship First Class Package For Packages Under 1 Pound
If your item weighs less than one pound, USPS First Class Package Service (or FCP, for short) will always be the cheapest way to ship it.
Which is cheaper UPS or USPS? For packages weighing less than 16oz, USPS is almost always the cheapest way to ship. However UPS ground can be less expensive when packages exceed 2lbs in weight.
While FedEx and UPS Ground services offer similar delivery times, USPS typically offers the lowest rates. If a package weighs over 7 lbs or so, though, UPS and FedEx start offering more competitive rates.
So, the cheapest way to ship a package that is under 2lbs is likely going to be with USPS. If your package is under 13 oz, then you should deliver it by first-class mail. While, as we will discuss further down, reliability levels can vary with USPS, their low-cost shipping for lighter items is virtually unbeatable.
USPS flat-rate boxes are free. Merchants order them at no cost and start shipping. Merchants will still need to purchase packing peanuts or similar cushioning material, but avoiding as much as $1 per box can be huge savings. (Other carriers, I should add, also include free boxes with their flat-rate services.)
You can ship in any type of cardboard box however Home Depot boxes are single corrugated cardboard so you will want to reinforce with extra packing tape to avoid splitting.
If you are asking, do you pay extra for postage, if there is bubble wrap in it? Then the answer is no. The postage is calculated by the weight and size of the exterior of the package. Now if the adding of bubble wrap affects the size of the package, then yes, the postage will increase.
Use flat-rate shipping where possible—flat-rate shipping will almost always be the best value for money, especially for domestic delivery. Flat-rate shipping means that you can predict prices more accurately. No matter what kind of parcel you have or what dimensions or weight it is, the price will always be the same.
Yes, you can reuse USPS Priority Mail boxes for your next shipping, as long as you are sending as Priority again. Misusing these packages may be considered as breaking and a violation of the regulations imposed by USPS; thus, the federal law. USPS suggests you rather choose to order new boxes, instead of misusing them.
What size is a small parcel box?
Royal Mail Small Parcels
Bigger than Large Letter size (353x250x25mm), it has maximum dimensions of 450x350x160mm (length x width x depth) and a top weight of 2kg.
The United States Postal Service offers Priority Mail flat rate shipping in three box sizes: Small: 8 ⅝” x 5 ⅜” x 1 ⅝” Medium: 13 ⅝” x 11 ⅞” x 11” or 11” x 8 ½” x 5 ½” Large: 23 11/16” x 11 ¾” x 12” or 12” 12” x 5 ½”
Standard box sizes
Moving boxes typically come in sizes from small to extra-large. Small — Measure around 16" x 12" x 12". These are ideal for packing things like books, CDs and DVDs, and kitchen gadgets. Medium — Measure around 18" x 16" x 18" and are great for things like towels and decorative items.
Maximum Parcel Size
Pieces going to a domestic location may not measure more than 108 inches in length and girth combined. USPS Retail Ground® mailpieces are an exception; they may not measure more than 130 inches in length and girth combined.
USPS Will Never Charge You for Priority Mail Packaging
They're always free, no matter if you get them at your local Post Office or on USPS.com. This includes Priority Mail Flat Rate and Priority Mail Express boxes and envelopes, as well. The only thing you'll need to pay for is the cost of postage.
For First-Class Mail, shape and weight will determine the price. For Priority Mail, the price is a combination of weight, size, and how far the mailpiece is traveling. Priority Mail pieces that exceed one cubic foot, are subject to "dimensional weight pricing".
USPS flat rate shipping can be cheaper than other shipping methods because you can optimize what you fit in the flat rate box, but the major benefit is that it makes it easier to budget for shipping costs because you can predict the cost every time.
Use flat-rate shipping where possible—flat-rate shipping will almost always be the best value for money, especially for domestic delivery. Flat-rate shipping means that you can predict prices more accurately. No matter what kind of parcel you have or what dimensions or weight it is, the price will always be the same.
First-Class Mail® is an affordable mail service for standard-sized, single-piece envelopes weighing up to 3.5 oz and large envelopes and small packages weighing up to 13 oz. Prices start at $0.60 at a Post Office.
Priority Mail® Medium Flat Rate Box
Available in two sizes: 11 inches x 8½ inches x 5½ inches (top-loading) - Perfect for model cars, shoes, and taller items. 13⅝ inches x 11⅞ inches x 3⅜ inches (side-loading) - Ideal for garments, board games, books, and other relatively thin items.
How can I get free USPS boxes?
- Go to The Postal Store® at www.usps.com/shop and select “Supplies” – OR - move your cursor over “Shop” in the top navigation and select “Shipping Supplies.”
- Order free supplies by selecting "Free Shipping Supplies" in the left-hand navigation.
To help business owners manage their shipping costs, the USPS provides free shipping boxes and envelopes for some of their popular service levels.