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Where can I get USPS flat rate boxes?

Author

Emily Carr

Published Mar 02, 2026

Where can I get USPS flat rate boxes?

To ship with this service, you'll first need a free Flat Rate box from the USPS. You have to use the branded boxes to get the Flat Rate shipping price, and you can order them online or pick them up at your local Post Office. Be careful which box or envelope you select, since each one ships for a different price.

Just so, where can I get flat rate boxes?

Flat rate boxes can be picked up at your local Post Office or ordered online—both for $0! If you have the boxes readily available your employees and colleagues are more likely to use them.

Additionally, is it cheaper to use a flat rate box or your own box? 1: You use a Flat Rate Box for everything you ship.Flat Rate Boxes are a simple way to ship. If you can fit it in the box, it ships at the same price every time. USPS provides the boxes for FREE and if your shipment is headed to Zone 1-4, you'll find this option can typically be cheaper than Flat Rate Boxes.

Subsequently, one may also ask, are boxes free at the post office?

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. Tyvek® mailers and boxes can be used to send items through Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express, and they're eco-friendly.

Where can I get USPS Priority boxes?

To order any of the Priority Mail® shipping supplies, please visit The Postal Store website and click on “Shipping Supplies” > “Priority Mail”. You can also call 1-800-610-8734 to place an order. Also, Priority Mail® Flat Rate envelopes - WITHOUT postage affixed - are available free at any Post Office™.

How much are flat rate USPS boxes?

USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Options
TypeSizePrice
Legal Envelopes15" x 9 1/2"$7.45
Small Box8 11/16" x 5 7/16" x 1 3/4"$7.65
Medium Boxes11 1/4" x 8 3/4" x 6" or 14" x 12" x 3 1/2"$13.20
Large Box12-1/4" x 12-1/4" x 6" or 24-1/16" x 11-7/8" x 3-1/8"$18.30

Can I mail a flat rate box from home?

Shipping a package or envelope using Priority Mail Flat Rate is very easy. Place your item in one of the many free Flat Rate boxes supplied by the USPS. Once your package is ready to be shipped, you can schedule a free package pick-up from the USPS at your home or office.

Does UPS have a flat rate box?

Flat Rate Box Service Description
The UPS Flat Rate Box includes transportation charges for shipments within the 48 contiguous United States. The Flat Rate Box is for shipments that weigh less than 70 pounds. Once processed, you can drop off the Flat Rate Box to UPS at: The UPS Store.

Is it cheaper to ship flat rate?

At exactly 2 lbs, FedEx/UPS is slightly cheaper. Above 2 lbs, the USPS medium flat rate box is slightly cheaper than FedEx or UPS Ground. The break even point compared to FedEx and UPS for a large Priority Mail flat rate box is about 5 lbs.

Are flat rate boxes free at the post office?

USPS flat rate boxes are free. Merchants can simply order them at no cost and start shipping. Merchants will still need to purchase packing peanuts or similar cushioning material, but not having to pay as much as $1 per box can be huge savings.

How do I calculate shipping costs?

How to Use the USPS Shipping Calculator
  1. Navigate to the USPS Postage Price Calculator page.
  2. Enter the details of your letter or package.
  3. Select the shipment type.
  4. Compare shipping options.
  5. Add Extra Services.
  6. Hit “Continue” for your result.
  7. Pay for shipping and print postage for your shipment.

Is it cheaper to ship in a box or envelope?

The cheapest are the Small Flat Rate, Flat Rate Envelope and Flat Rate Padded Envelope. If your item can ship in one of these then you can save some money. If your item is a little larger and weighs over 2 pounds then sometimes the Regional Rate or Flat Rate Boxes can ship for less.

What is the cheapest way to send a package?

USPS will always be cheaper than FedEx or UPS hands down.
However as the weight creeps closer to 2 pounds, USPS pretty much reaches pricing parity with UPS and FedEx Ground.

Will USPS give me a box?

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. Tyvek® mailers and boxes can be used to send items through Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express, and they're eco-friendly.

Can I get a box from the post office?

You can purchase boxes and tubes of various sizes at most Post Offices. 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.

How can I ship for free?

To get your free USPS shipping supplies, you can order them online through Stamps.com or pick them up from Post Offices nationwide. The post office will allow you to order up to 500 of its shipping boxes or labels free of charge. Minimum orders for most products vary from one to 10 items.

Is it cheaper to use your own box USPS?

If within zone 3, 4, or 5 it is usually cheaper to ship regional rate boxes. If zone 7 or 8 then flat rate boxes are usually cheaper. If in zone 1 or 2 it is usually cheaper to use your own box up to 2 pounds and regional rate boxes over that. We pay $5.90 for USPS Priority Mail Small Flat Rate Box.

Can I just take flat rate boxes?

To take advantage of USPS flat rate, you will need the right supplies. USPS offers their priority mail boxes and envelopes for free. There is no cost for picking up these boxes, but you must use them for the proper form of priority mail shipping. You can pick up flat rate boxes in-person from any post office.

How much do boxes cost at USPS?

USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Options
TypeSizePrice
Legal Envelopes15" x 9 1/2"$7.45
Small Box8 11/16" x 5 7/16" x 1 3/4"$7.65
Medium Boxes11 1/4" x 8 3/4" x 6" or 14" x 12" x 3 1/2"$13.20
Large Box12-1/4" x 12-1/4" x 6" or 24-1/16" x 11-7/8" x 3-1/8"$18.30

Are USPS flat rate boxes worth it?

Flat Rate Boxes are a simple way to ship. If you can fit it in the box, it ships at the same price every time. USPS provides the boxes for FREE and if your shipment is headed to Zone 1-4, you'll find this option can typically be cheaper than Flat Rate Boxes.

Does weight matter with flat rate boxes?

There is also a weight limit of 70 pounds for standard Flat Rate boxes and a limit of 20 pounds for Flat Rate Express services. Besides these basic requirements, any shipments in Flat Rate boxes must follow all USPS shipping restrictions.

Which is cheaper flat rate or priority mail?

USPS Priority Mail vs. USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate. A good rule of thumb is to ship small, heavy packages via Flat Rate, and large, lightweight items via Priority Mail. Items traveling far distances will cost more with Priority Mail, but the cost is unchanged if you're going the Flat Rate route.

When should I use a flat rate box?

If your products fit into a Flat Rate Small Box or Padded Envelope, you should generally use these services over a custom package. With an exception, very light-packages traveling a very-short distance, Zones 1-4, may get a better price with weight-based rates.

What's the difference between priority mail and flat rate?

Weight and Distance
A lightweight envelope or package delivered locally will be cheaper to deliver using standard priority mail instead of the flat rate service, while heavier packages going longer distances will be cheaper to send via flat rate priority mail.

Why is USPS so expensive?

USPS is a non-profit organization. Prices are based on the cost to provide the service, with no profit margin figured into the costs. USPS rates are the lowest in the industry for many items, especially for non-commercial mailers.

How do I get free USPS boxes?

To order free labels, boxes, and envelopes online:
  1. Go to The Postal Store® at and select “Supplies” – OR - move your cursor over “Postal Store” in the top navigation and select “Shipping Supplies.”
  2. Order free supplies by selecting "Free Shipping Supplies" in the left hand navigation.

How do I get free Flat Rate boxes?

To get your free USPS shipping supplies, you can order them online through Stamps.com or pick them up from Post Offices nationwide. The post office will allow you to order up to 500 of its shipping boxes or labels free of charge.

How much is medium flat rate box?

Priority Mail Flat Rate Products
Free Supplies8Shipping Price
Legal Flat Rate Envelope$7.45 Commercial Base $8.05 at Post Office & Online
Small Flat Rate Box$7.65 Commercial Base $8.30 at Post Office & Online
Medium Flat Rate Box — 1 (top-loading)$13.20 Commercial Base $15.05 at Post Office & Online

What is USPS Priority Mail package?

The US Postal Service's Priority Mail is a quick yet economical way to mail packages under 70 pounds within the United States. Using Priority Mail Flat Rate packages designed by USPS or your own boxes, you can ship items across the country and have them arrive in one to three days to most locations.