<p>If you have a student within a couple hour drive, or in general, the USPS Priority Regional Rate boxes can be a great value. They are usually delivered in two days, with tracking and insurance, and also Saturday delivery. 15 lb to 25 lb flat rate pricing based on box size. Pricing is based on distance between the shipping ZIP codes.</p>
<h2>The catch is that the boxes must be ordered online (for free) and printing the postage online saves an additional $0.75 charged for each Regional Rate Box paid for at retail.</h2>
<p>Best value is the Regional Rate B top loading box. Shipping between zones 1 & 2 ( less than 150 miles) starts at $6.16.</p>
<p>Outside:
12 1/4” x 10 1/2” x 5 1/2"
Inside:
12" x 10 1/4” x 5"
Weight Limit:
20 lbs</p>
<p>What a complicated mess! I spent ten minutes trying to see if a 30 lbs box with dimensions MUCH larger than the tiny USPS boxes could be shipped for less than the 15 to 20 dollars I am paying with Fedex Ground. I guess that there must be an online calculator that helps figuring out the size and costs between two regions. </p>
<p>I gave up! No wonder that outfit cannot stop bleeding money. And yes, I know that they lose money because they are forced to account for their pension liabilities. Or so they say! </p>
<p>PS Outside: 12 1/4” x 10 1/2” x 5 1/2" >>> That IS a SMALL box! It would take lead or bricks to get to 20 lbs!</p>
<p>Even the regular flat rate shipping is often significantly cheaper than FedEx or UPS. I have used it for many shipments, but have not qualified for the regional zone, as I usually am shipping more than 150 miles away.</p>
<p>USPS was also cheaper using regular priority mail compared to UPS. I shipped a box weighing about 10-15 pounds. It was just over $50 for insurance up to $999. UPS quoted me over $100! I always just tell UPS the dimensions and get a quote and have never had a problem getting a guesstimate from the USPS website on shipping charges if I know the approx. weight and dimensions.</p>
<p>^ Very true, but the weight limit is a misleading indicator of the value of the “offer” as very few packages will exceed a few pounds in such a small box of less than a square foot. </p>
<p>Such a box should ship for a flat rate not to exceed 5-7 dollars nationwide, along the lines of the fixed priced envelopes. Unless I am missing something, this is hardly a good deal for anyone except for people who blindly walk in a post office. </p>
<p>That company (or quasi US agency) is totally living in a parallel world. It should be allowed to reinvent itself and cease to exist. </p>
<p>I ship a lot of things by USPS. Priority Mail boxes are a great deal, but you save a ton compared to UPS and Fedex for the same service even if you use your own box. The key thing is that the box should be no larger than a 12 in cube. Over that, and the rates jump up to the UPS/FedEx level <em>IF</em> it has to go on an airplane. </p>
<p>Priority guarantees 3-day service anywhere in the continental US for literally HALF what you would pay for UPS and FedEx for the same 12x12 box. Definitely buy the postage through USPS.com, print it out, and tape it to the box. You can then simply drop it off at any post office.</p>
<p>Oh please, the comment about pension costs was simply preventive and did not amount to the type of political discussions that were banned years ago. Every time we have discussed shipping cost, someone has to start a litany of excuses. If you do not want to read that part, just ignore it! In the meantime, the inability of the USPS to earn a return on its assets or make any money is relevant to its costs and market proposals and understanding.</p>
<p>For what is worth, this offer is based on a square foot box. A size that is hardly convenient to many users. The packages I receive and send are often larger and more bulky than weighty. And so were the care packages sent by my parents. Larger than your typical fruitcake from Corsicana! </p>
<p>For the record, I have had a USPS account since the days of college applications. Nothing better on the market than the possibility to print a prepaid label at 1100 PM and leisurely drop it in the mailbox later. The prepaid flat rate envelopes are great and so are a couple of boxes. </p>
<p>However, one has to recognize that USPS is lacking services such as tracking system worthy of its name and a competitive pricing for larger packages. Not to mention the great difficulty to complete online mailings to certain … government entities such as the IRS. </p>
<p>I’ve sent care packages to our kids when in college/grad school and to nieces/nephews, all over the country. I’ve been ASTONISHED at how fast a USPS priority box can get to CA from the southeast US…sometimes within 2 DAYS. </p>
<p>I’ve used all the options for all kinds of boxes and find USPS Priority Mail is almost always cheapest and often times, surprisingly, the fastest. The key is to develop a process at home of having USPS boxes on hand, scales for weighing boxes, and printing out postage online. </p>
<p>Once you get used to using their online system, it really is efficient. I always grab a box or two (or priority mail envelopes) when I stop by the PO to send. I usually deliver my boxes directly to the PO–I’ve never had my mail carrier actually take a box for me, although I’ve heard people who do say they’re happy with that service.</p>
<p>I’ve sent well over 100 packages to these kids in all kinds of environments-- dorms, sorority houses, PO box, college post offices, sketchy neighborhoods, high rise apartments, apts in converted houses, you name it. I have NEVER had a package go missing, and only once had a package that got misrouted so was several days later than expected.</p>
<p>Also, USPS now automatically includes $50 free insurance with their priority mail boxes. Can you tell I’m a fan? :)</p>
<p>@curiouser, I’m with you! I use “if it fits, it ships” all the time to send things to my boys in college. I just stop by the PO and pick up free boxes and can do all the postage online (saving a bit of cash). I’ve even left the box in our mailbox at home for pickup. It couldn’t be easier. </p>
<p>If it weighs more than 13 ounces, I’ve had packages returned if I tried giving it to the mail carrier. The post office says you have to bring it there or use the self-serve kiosk and a credit or debit cars. </p>
<p>HImom, I think that is only for packages that you put actual stamps on; if you print postage on the computer you are fine (I believe it is to make sure packages are identified to stop nefarious items going through the mail).</p>
<p>Looking at the zone chart it appears it will be $33 for me to ship a box. Does this mean for the full 20 pounds or is it based on weight as well?</p>
<p>We’ve used the USPS Flat Rate boxes for 5 years’ worth of care packages. Love them! As BTMell says, it’s so easy, and now includes tracking and $50 insurance. I’m not about to spend the time and energy to measure and weigh every box, then get quotes from 3 different shippers. Flat Rate is no-fuss. Pack it, tape it, mail it. Done.</p>
This is the type of thing you order from Amazon, hopefully using Prime. I used to send my son all kinds of heavy stuff at his school, like cases of his favorite beverage for the same price (and sometimes less) that it cost to buy the drink at the supermarket, with free shipping. </p>