USPS shipping box alternative to SFRB

[gwozdz]

When the USPS Small Flat Rate Box isn't quite large enough, Skip the Medium FRB and you may want to try the Regional Rate Box A. It is 3 times bigger than the SFRB and at times it's cheaper or not much more. These boxes are free from USPS. The only downside is they have a 15 pound limit.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Padded flat rate envelope (it's made of tough bubble plastic) will hold about twice as much brass as the SFRB and ships for about same price (maybe 20¢ more?). Most PO's don't stock the Padded flat rate envelope, so you have to order them online from USPS.

[Minerat]

A large flat rate envelope will hold 2 SFRBs and ships at the envelope rate too.

[buckwheatpaul]

Great posts all....

[poppy42]

Padded flat rate envelope (it's made of tough bubble plastic) will hold about twice as much brass as the SFRB and ships for about same price (maybe 20¢ more?). Most PO's don't stock the Padded flat rate envelope, so you have to order them online from USPS.

You can also fit 2 aft boxes in one envelope! I do it all the time! Oops just realized minerat already posted this!

[Minerat]

Great minds work alike poppy.[smilie=l:

[imashooter2]

Those regional rate boxes are even flimsier than the flat rate boxes. Use care packing and taping. I’m a big fan of the bubble mailers. They are tough for the employees to break open. Even the seal strip is near impossible to rip.

[DougGuy]

There is one mailing box slightly bigger than a SFRB which will fit nicely in a padded bubble flat rate mailer. It looks like a SFRB but just says Mailing Box on it.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

There is one mailing box slightly bigger than a SFRB which will fit nicely in a padded bubble flat rate mailer. It looks like a SFRB but just says Mailing Box on it.

Fun fact
DougGuy is refering to the 1096L USPS priority box (not flat rate). It was originally designed for VHS tapes with commercial package, like would be used by movie rental stores.

[fatelk]

Great info. Another thing to know is that, around here at least, you can't find the regional boxes at the post office. You have to order them online, free from USPS.com.

Regional Box A (15lb limit) goes from about the same price as the SFRB (nearby) up to nearly the same cost as a MFRB (cross country).
Regional Box B (20lb limit) goes from about the same price as the SFRB (nearby) up to about as much as a LFRB cross country.

[William Yanda]

I found that the regional boxes were not flat rate. In my experience the rate varies with the region.

[fatelk]

I found that the regional boxes were not flat rate. In my experience the rate varies with the region.

This is very true. In the same region, regional boxes are the best thing going, about the same price as a SFRB. For further regions, the A box goes up to almost as much as a MFRB, and the B box goes up to about as much as a LFRB.

For more than 15 or 20 lbs, and further away than just a couple states, the MRFB is usually your best bet.

[frkelly74]

Just to throw in my $.02... There is also a legal size flat rate envelope that is only slightly more than the regular Flat rate envelope. I have found that A and B sized can save money if you are sending items too relatively close locations. Coast to coast they are more money than Medium FRBs. Hawaii and Alaska are cheaper if you stick with regular flat rate,,,, at least from Michigan. You do have to order regional boxes, legal flat rate envelopes, and padded flat rate envelopes. It is easy from the USPS website. They are free but you can also buy stamps there. And tape if you need it too.

[William Yanda]

Just to throw in my $.02... There is also a legal size flat rate envelope that is only slightly more than the regular Flat rate envelope. I have found that A and B sized can save money if you are sending items too relatively close locations. Coast to coast they are more money than Medium FRBs. Hawaii and Alaska are cheaper if you stick with regular flat rate,,,, at least from Michigan. You do have to order regional boxes, legal flat rate envelopes, and padded flat rate envelopes. It is easy from the USPS website. They are free but you can also buy stamps there. And tape if you need it too.

I get a better deal on tape by buying bulk packs-6 or 8-at WallyWorld. Make sure you get the heavier tape the thin stuff is hard to use and does not protect cardboard as well.

[pworley1]

Thanks for the options.

[frkelly74]

I get a better deal on tape by buying bulk packs-6 or 8-at WallyWorld. Make sure you get the heavier tape the thin stuff is hard to use and does not protect cardboard as well.

Yes I know, also Menards sells the big packs of tape for a lot less..... But it doesn't say "Priority Mail"" in big official looking letters on it.

[shooterg]

I thought I used to pay less when paying and printing postage online - but I paid the same as the rate posted in the PO on a SFRB yesterday !

[nicholst55]

Our local, small, rural (but very busy) Post Office has a very limited assortment of Flat Rate boxes, labels, and such on hand - frequently none at all. I stocked up on the sizes that I use most often by ordering online. Believe it or not, the most difficult thing to acquire was the Flat Rate address labels! I waited over a month for them!

[Tripplebeards]

USPS has jacked up their proces to the point its about the same price to ship FedEX by me. Also faster service and less of change of damage or a lost package imo.

[Finster101]

I thought I used to pay less when paying and printing postage online - but I paid the same as the rate posted in the PO on a SFRB yesterday !


It sure beats driving to the PO though. A medium flat rate box will fit in my mailbox, a large will fit in my neighbors who doesn't mind me putting stuff in it.