Can You Pick Up Free Boxes at the Post Office

Anish

June 9, 2023

Reaching an estimated 36 million, the number of packages sent out daily is on the rise. As a consequence, shipping can be a significant expense for individuals and businesses. People are looking for more ways to cut their expenses and save money on shipping.

One option you might have heard of is picking up free boxes at the post office. But does USPS (United States Post Office) offer free boxes for shipments? How do you get free shipping boxes? Which USPS boxes can you get for free? How can you save money when shipping with the U.S. Postal Service? 

Learning the policies is essential so you can save on your shipments. This article explains how getting free boxes from USPS works. 

It also tackles topics such as the types of boxes you can receive from USPS and important restrictions you should keep in mind. This write-up also discusses the other supplies you could get for free.

USPS free boxes are a convenient and inexpensive way for shippers to cut down on packaging costs. Ask your local post office for more information if you want to save on shipping expenses. Visit FindPostOffice.org, a website that helps locate all 31,330 post offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, New York, Seattle, and other cities the United States.

Does USPS Give Free Boxes?

Yes. The United States Postal Service provides free boxes and envelopes to its customers for Priority Mail and Priority Express shipping services. These boxes are available in most post office locations and online via USPS.com.

USPS Offers Free Shipping Boxes and Supplies

The Postal Service offers various boxes and shipping materials you can use for free. Here are some examples:

  • Priority Mail Flat Rate box (small, medium, or large) 
  • Priority Mail box
  • Priority Mail Express box
  • Military care kit
  • Cremated remains kit

You might have to ask a postal clerk for some shipping supplies, especially specialty-type boxes. But you can usually find most of these boxes in the lobby, where they are available. You can also order free boxes and shipping supplies directly from the United States Postal Service’s website.

Many accessible box sizes are available for each type of mail service. You can order boxes and shipping supplies at no cost after you choose a delivery service.

Although the USPS provides many free shipping supplies, it charges for certain products, including:

  • Priority Mail Forever Prepaid Flat Rate envelope (padded or legal) 
  • Priority Mail Forever Prepaid box (small, medium, or large)
  • Priority Mail Express Cold Chain packages
  • ReadyPost Mailing Cartons (medium or large)

But you don’t have to worry about accidentally picking up one of these boxes at the store because they are kept behind the register.

How Does Getting Free Boxes From USPS Work?

The United States Postal Service offers free flat-rate boxes to its customers. The agency provides free boxes in its post offices, or you can order them online.

How Can You Get Free Shipping Boxes and Supplies?

Free shipping supplies can be found here on the USPS website, or pick up your free boxes from a local post office. It’s important to note that the boxes are flat when you receive them, but a little folding and taping can transform them into sturdy boxes.

If you want to get free shipping supplies online, navigate to the USPS.com “Shipping Supplies” page by hovering on “Shop” on the top bar of the website. 

The website will automatically direct you to the postal store. You can filter your search by selecting “free shipping supplies” under the product type on the left side of your screen.

The prices are already set at zero dollars, so you can add whatever you need to your cart. It’s essential to have an existing account. If not, you can register for one now by clicking here.

You can get a single shipping box or a pack of 10 or 25. You can order these boxes for free, and USPS will ship the boxes to you at no cost. Ordering free boxes online from the USPS website is an excellent option for people with transportation issues or physical limitations.

Here Are the USPS Boxes You Can Get for Free: What Sizes Are the Free Boxes at USPS?

USPS provides Priority Mail and Global Express Guaranteed packaging at no charge. The dimensions of the box and envelope are as follows:

USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate

  • Flat Rate Envelope: 12 and 1/2″ x 9 and 1/2″
  • Legal Flat Rate Envelope: 15″ x 9 and 1/2″
  • Padded Flat Rate Envelope:12 and 1/2″ x 9 and 1/2″
  • Small Flat Rate Box (inside): 8 and 5/8″ x 5 and 3/8″ x 1 and 5/8″
  • Medium Flat Rate Box 1 (top-loading, inside): 11″ x 8 and 1/2″ x 5 and 1/2″
  • Medium Flat Rate Box 2 (side-loading, inside): 13 and 5/8″ x 11 and 7/8″ x 3 and 3/8″
  • Large Flat Rate Box: 12″ x 12″ x 5 and 1/2″

USPS Priority Mail

  • Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope: 12 and 1/2″ x 9 and 1/2″
  • Priority Mail Shoe Box (inside): 14 and 3/8″ x 5 and 1/8” x 7 and 1/2”
  • Priority Mail Box 4 (inside): 7” x 7″ x 6″
  • Priority Mail Box 7 (inside): 12” x 11 and 3/4” x 8”
  • Priority Mail DVD Box (inside): 7 and 9/16” x 5 and 7/16” x 5/8” 
  • Priority Mail Box 1092 (inside): 13 and 3/8” x 11 and 7/8” x 2 and 3/4”
  • Priority Mail Box 1095 (inside): 14 and 7/8” x 11 and 7/8” x 3”
  • Priority Mail Box 1096L (inside): 9 and 1/4″ x 6 and 1/4″ x 2″
  • Priority Mail Box 1097 (inside): 13 and 1/9” x 11 and 1/3” x 2 and 3/9”

USPS Priority Mail Regional Rate

  • Priority Mail Regional Rate Box A2 (inside): 12 and 13/16” x 10 and 15/16” x 2 and 3/8”

USPS Dual-Use Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express

  • Priority Mail Express Box 1 (inside): 11”  x 8 and 1/2”  x 5 and 1/2” 
  • Priority Mail Express Box 2 (inside): 13 and 5/8” x 11 and 7/8”  x 3 and 3/8” 
  • Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express Small Tube (inside): 25 and 7/16” x 5 and 7/8” x 5 and 1/8”
  • Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express Medium Tube (inside): 37 and 7/8” x 6 and 1/8” x 4 and 1/8”  

USPS Priority Mail Express

  • Priority Mail Express Box 1 (inside): 11” x 8 and 1/2” x 5 and 1/2”
  • Priority Mail Express Box 2 (inside): 13 and 5/8” x 11 and 7/8” x 3 and 3/8”
  • Priority Mail Express Tyvek Envelope: 15” x 11 and 5/8”

Global Express Guaranteed

  • Global Express Guaranteed Tyvek Envelope: 15” x 11 and 5/8”
  • Global Express Guaranteed Letter Envelope: 12 and 1/2” x 9 and 1/2”

How USPS Can Help You Save Money on Shipping

Purchasing boxes and other shipping supplies can be expensive for anyone who frequently ships.

Shipping costs will likely become a major expense when you run your own business or have an eBay-based side hustle. Although many businesses leave their shipping costs to the customer, you should still seek ways to entice your market.

No one will buy your products if you set shipping costs too high. If you offer shipping rates that are too low, you’ll lose money on every package you ship. Staying in business for the long haul will be challenging.

It’s no wonder online shoppers have come to expect free shipping at a certain threshold when Amazon Prime has set the bar so high for fast delivery.

That’s why taking advantage of every cost-effective solution, such as utilizing free boxes from the U.S. Postal Service, is essential.

Free Shipping Supplies Can Help Lower Shipping Costs

Although shipping costs will never drop, there is a way to cut back on packaging expenses. USPS provides its customers free shipping supplies when they send packages through certain mail services. USPS will provide you with free boxes, stickers, and forms.

These eco-friendly shipping supplies are free if you’re shipping through Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express. You can get free USPS shipping supplies by ordering them online or picking them up at your local post office.

The post office will provide you with up to 500 boxes or labels at no charge. For most products, minimum orders range from 1 to 10 items.

The United States Postal Service will ship all of these items to you for free, no matter how large your order is. However, suppose you prefer to use your packaging materials. In that case, you can order free priority mail stickers from the Postal Service.

The U.S. Postal Service requires a package to be labeled with Priority Mail stickers if you plan to ship using the USPS Priority Mail service.

Use the stickers to let USPS employees know that your package is urgent. These items are available in rolls of 250 decals.

What’s the Catch?

While USPS provides free boxes, it has restrictions, too. But these regulations are reasonable, given the circumstances. This article will discuss these policies in the sections that follow.

How This Saves Money for You and Your Business

Paying a dollar per box for infrequent shippers may not seem like such a bad deal. But the cost of shipping can be daunting when you’re trying to scale an eCommerce business.

Flat-rate boxes from USPS can save you money by allowing you to send items without spending on packaging supplies.

For many people, one of the best things about ordering free boxes online is that it saves them time. They don’t have to drive to the nearest post office and wait in line for shipping supplies.

The USPS flat-rate service is popular with shippers because it eliminates the need to weigh packages to calculate shipping costs. USPS Priority Flat Rate shipping is available for packages weighing less than 70lbs. 

USPS Flat Rate boxes are available for priority mail as well. Most packages will reach their destination within two to three business days.

USPS also offers express boxes and envelopes, which cuts delivery time to one business day for an extra cost. You can offer customers the same shipping options as Amazon without spending too much money.

Commercial flat rates can be beneficial to eCommerce businesses. USPS has two commercial rates for lower and higher volume shippers: commercial base and commercial plus.

USPS Commercial Base Pricing (CBP) is a discounted rate offered to customers who buy shipping labels online. In comparison, the USPS Commercial Plus Pricing (CPP) program gives discounts to online retailers who ship large volumes of mail.

Are There Any Restrictions You Should Keep in Mind?

  • The packaging and the label must match in terms of service level. If you’re going to ship via Priority Mail Express, then use a Priority Mail Express box.
  • You can mail any item that will fit in a priority box or envelope for the same flat rate as long as it’s less than 70lbs. If your package weighs more than the flat rate, you’ll have to pay an additional fee.
  • The disadvantage of requiring a package to weigh less than 70lbs is that you will pay a set price no matter how light your package weighs. This restriction is generally an advantage, but it may not be the best option for shipping lightweight objects.

UPS Offers Free Shipping Boxes and Supplies

The United Parcel Service (UPS) offers free supplies, like packaging, labels, and pouches. Customers should just log into the UPS website or visit UPS retail locations.

For additional packing materials and supplies, shippers can visit UPS customer centers. These free supplies should arrive within a few working days.

FedEx Offers Free Shipping Boxes and Supplies

If you’re shipping using FedEx Express, the company will pack and handle your items for free. FedEx also offers flat-rate shipping for your free packaging.

Save on Shipping With Used Boxes

You can reduce your business’ carbon footprint by reusing shipping boxes. It’s also an economical way to save money.

However, you must remove all markings and labels before reusing packaging and boxes. The old labels on your package may cause a delay in delivery or result in the package being returned.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. Does USPS charge for boxes?

As mentioned above, USPS offers free boxes and shipping supplies, although it charges a given rate for specific products.

  1. Can you walk into USPS and get boxes?

Yes. You can visit any local post office and get your free USPS box.

  1. Can you order free USPS boxes online?

Yes, you can order free USPS boxes online, and USPS will deliver the supplies for free.

  1. Will USPS box things for you?

USPS can advise you which size box to use for your items, but it won’t box your items.

  1. Will supermarkets give you cardboard boxes?

You can ask your local supermarket or grocery store if you can use spare large boxes.

  1. How can I get free shipping labels?

You can get order shipping labels and other free supplies from USPS.com.

  1. Are flat rate boxes free at the post office?

Yes, they are.

  1. Where can I pick up USPS flat-rate boxes?

You can pick up a USPS Flat Rate box at any local post office near you.

References

  1. Postal Store
    https://store.usps.com/store/results?Ntt=free+boxes&_requestid=578000
  2. Shipping Supplies
    https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/packing/supplies.html
  3. Shipping a Reused Box?
    https://about.usps.com/posters/pos81/welcome.htm#:~:text=Reused%20packaging%20and%20boxes%20are,delays%20or%20a%20package%20return
  4. Ordering Free Shipping Supplies
    https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Ordering-Free-Shipping-Supplies#order_free_shipping_supplies