If you’re starting an e-commerce business and trying to determine your shipping strategy, you may be wondering: are USPS boxes and envelopes free? Shipping costs, including the money spent on packaging materials, can have a big impact on your bottom line. In fact, 58 percent of businesses listed cost of shipping as their biggest operational challenge, according to our State of Shipping report.
To help business owners manage their shipping costs, the USPS provides free shipping boxes and envelopes for some of their popular service levels.
Here are a few tips to help you take advantage of U.S. Postal Service’s free boxes, envelopes, and shipping supplies.
How Can I Get Free USPS Boxes?
You can order free boxes and envelopes online at the USPS store. The Postal Service will even deliver the supplies to your door for free. Most boxes will typically come in packs of 10 or 25, so keep that in mind as you complete your order. When you select your quantity, you’re choosing how many packs (of 10, 25, etc.) you want. You can also pick up free supplies at your local Post Office.
Here are the USPS Boxes You Can Get for Free
The USPS provides free shipping boxes and envelopes for Priority Mail and Global Express Guaranteed packages. Here’s a breakdown of the box and envelope dimensions. Keep in mind that USPS Regional Rate has been discontinued as of January 22, 2023. If you still have those boxes, you may use them to ship, but the Postal Service no longer distributes them to merchants.
USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate
USPS Priority Mail
USPS Dual-Use Priority Mail & Priority Mail Express
USPS Priority Mail Express
Global Express Guaranteed
Are There Any Restrictions to Keep in Mind?
The service level on the packaging must match the service level on the label. So, if you’re shipping the package via Priority Mail Express, you need to use a Priority Mail Express box. You cannot use these boxes for service levels like Media Mail or First-Class.
The service level on the packaging must match the service level on the label. So, if you’re shipping the package via Priority Mail Express, you need to use a Priority Mail Express box. You cannot use these boxes for service levels like Media Mail or First-Class.
Don’t delay—order your free USPS boxes today, so you can save on packaging costs!
You might also be interested in our Priority Mail Flat Rate guide, and if you’re going to start shipping soon, don’t forget to check out our domestic FedEx vs. UPS vs. USPS rate comparison. And check out our USPS postage calculator to see examples of some of our deeply discounted USPS rates.
Shippo is a multi-carrier API and web app that helps retailers, marketplaces and platforms connect to a global network of carriers. Businesses use Shippo to get real-time rates, print labels, automate international paperwork, track packages and facilitate returns. Shippo provides the tools to help businesses succeed through shipping.
Michelle McNamara
is a Senior Marketing Manager at Shippo
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FAQs
USPS gives its customers free shipping supplies to send packages through certain classes of mail. The USPS will keep you well-stocked with boxes, stickers, forms, and more for free.
Can you really get free boxes from the USPS? ›
To order free labels, boxes, and envelopes online: 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.
Is it cheaper to use USPS boxes or your own? ›
For shipments traveling shorter distances, Zones 1-4, and weighing less than 20 lbs, using your own packaging for weight-based rates may be a better value. Across all zones, though, shipments weighing over 25 lbs will ship for less in a Flat Rate Large Box.
How can I get cheaper shipping with USPS? ›
Save on Shipping: If you're using Priority Mail Express®, Priority Mail®, or USPS Ground Advantage® service, you can ship online with enhanced Click-N-Ship® service and get lower Commercial Rates. Businesses can get additional savings by opting in to the Business Rate Card.
How much does USPS charge for their boxes? ›
Priority Mail Flat Rate Products
| Free Supplies8 | Shipping Price |
|---|
| Small Flat Rate Box | $9.05 Commercial Pricing $10.40 at Post Office |
| Medium Flat Rate Box — 1 (top-loading) | $16.00 Commercial Pricing $18.40 at Post Office |
| Medium Flat Rate Box — 2 (side-loading) | $16.00 Commercial Pricing $18.40 at Post Office |
9 more rowsThe US Postal Service (USPS) offers the greatest variety of free shipping boxes and free shipping supplies. Everything from Priority Mail Express Boxes to padded Flat Rate Envelopes is available – all free. You can even get shoeboxes, military care boxes, and DVD boxes for free.
How to get USPS flat rate boxes? ›
Priority Mail® Small Flat Rate Box
Ordering supplies: At The Postal Store® website (www.usps.com > Shop > Shipping Supplies) By telephone at 1-800-610-8734.
Do I have to pay for a USPS box? ›
Most USPS boxes are free, including Regional Rate boxes and Flat Rate boxes. This is also true of all packaging for all USPS Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express services. To clarify, Flat Rate and Regional Rate fall under the umbrella of Priority Mail services, so that's why they come with free USPS boxes.
Why do Post Office boxes cost so much? ›
Physical location
Your ZIP code can make a huge difference in the cost. Urban areas often demand higher P.O. Box prices due to increased demand and limited availability. On the flip side, rural locations might offer more affordable options but could be less convenient (depending on your needs).
Are Post Office boxes worth it? ›
Professionalism. Small businesses that can't afford an office space may benefit from renting a PO Box because it will make them look more professional in comparison to using a home address for business. It also makes it easier for small business owners to separate their personal and professional mail.
How to Reduce USPS Shipping Costs
- Order free shipping boxes from USPS: Most USPS orders qualify to use free shipping boxes. You can order these boxes on the USPS website.
- Use Easyship to ship with USPS: Easyship gives you up to 91% off all USPS rates.
If you're using your own packaging, dimensional (DIM) weight may apply, so always enter your package's dimensions in the USPS Price Calculator to ensure you're paying enough for postage. Use the correct package label. Make sure the label you're using matches the packaging.
How to negotiate rates with USPS? ›
Negotiating deeper discounts with the USPS
You can also negotiate deeper discounts with the USPS. Request a Negotiated Service Agreement (NSA) from your account manager. In these situations, like the private carriers, the USPS determines rates on a case-by-case basis.
Can you use USPS boxes for free? ›
Select Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail boxes are available free at the Post Office for items sent using either of these services. While you are not required to use the free packaging for these services, you must use the USPS-produced address label provided by the Post Office for Priority Mail Express.
Does USPS charge boxes by weight or size? ›
Shape, weight, and size affect the price for large packages. If you have a large, lightweight package, instead of paying the normal postage price, you may be charged the balloon price, oversized price, or dimensional weight price depending on the class of mail and additional factors.
Is it cheaper to mail boxes USPS or UPS? ›
People often ask, is UPS cheaper than USPS? Well, that depends on the size of the package you're sending and where you're sending it to. Generally, UPS works out cheaper for shipping large items, while USPS is cheaper for sending small items.
Is it illegal to sell free USPS boxes? ›
USPS Priority Mail Supplies
The disclaimer on every Priority Mail box and envelope states: "This packaging is the property of the United States Postal Service and is provided solely for use in sending Priority Mail shipments. Misuse may be a violation of federal law. This packaging is not for resale."
Does USPS Ground Advantage have free boxes? ›
Packaging is not included with USPS Ground Advantage service. You can use a box that you have in your home or office or purchase one from USPS, a stationery store, or an online retailer.
Are Ready post boxes free? ›
USPS Ready Post supplies offer customers cost-effective shipping solutions for their packaging needs. The prices of these supplies may vary based on their size and type. In addition to the cost of the packaging materials, customers are required to pay for the postage to ship their packages.
Does the USPS give free bubble mailers? ›
Does USPS Have Free Poly Mailers? The USPS does not offer free poly mailers, but you can get similar items like padded envelopes from its website.
