USPS board game box? (all you must know)
It’s usually pretty easy to send any type of toy in the mail, as most can be found in square or rectangular boxes.
But what about board games? Their unique shape — long, rectangular, but super flat — means they don’t fit in many small boxes. Enter the USPS board game box. So, what is a USPS board game box and is it still in use? I have the answer you are looking for, so keep reading!
What is a USPS Board Game Box?
The USPS Board Game Box is a large flat-rate box launched in 2010 to support the board game industry and draw more attention to the flat-rate category. However, the board game box has been discontinued, in part due to reduced customer usage from January 2022.
To learn more about board game box sizes, shipping costs, whether board games are considered media mail, and how to ship board games right away, read on!
Are USPS game boxes flat rate?
The USPS Board Game Box is a flat-rate box designed to “facilitate the board game industry” and “provide additional awareness to the mail class…”
However, as of January 2022, the board game box has been discontinued, and the USPS cites three factors for its end:
- USPS cannot run this box through its scanning machines
- Having to deal with these boxes manually is expensive
- Customer usage drops
It may seem odd that the box only came out in 2010, when board games had been popular for decades, but it’s no surprise that the USPS has discontinued it.
The board game box measures 24″ and 1/6″ long, 11″ and 7/8″ wide, and 3″ and 1/8″ high for $21.50 shipping, the same as the basic large flat rate box.
However, while the board game box has been discontinued, it is not off the shelves. In fact, customers can continue to access it and have it shipped where it’s still being supplied.
Still, USPS expects it to be sold out by late January 2022.
What are the dimensions of the USPS board game box?
Discontinued as of January 2022, the USPS Flat Rate Board Game Box is a large box designed to fit standard board games.
Available in 24 and 1/6” L, 11 and 7/8” wide, 3 and 1/8” high.
These cases are two feet long, about twice as long as the second largest flat rate case, the large cases measuring 12 inches and 1/4 inches long.
How much does it cost to ship a board game box with USPS?
The USPS board game box costs $21.50 to ship at the post office and online through the postal store ($19.20 for business customers).
This is the same price as a large flat rate box.
While the USPS discontinued the board game box in January 2022, the company did not take it off the shelves.
So if you visit your local post office and they are still in stock, you can definitely still mail them.
Are board games considered media mail?
According to the very strict rules of the USPS, board games are not considered media mailings.
Media Mail first and foremost must be educational; books, music, movies, test materials, and printed graphics all belong to Media Mail.
Board games, no matter how educational they are, are still toys, and more importantly, they are not listed as eligible items in the USPS.
So don’t try to send your board game in media mail, or if you do, be prepared for the consequences.
Most likely, if you get caught, your package will be sent back to you; on the other hand, it can be sent to the recipient for a fee of the more expensive mail class.
How do you ship board games with USPS?
So, this makes you wonder: How do you mail board games if USPS board game boxes are discontinued?
Well, you have a few options. For one thing, depending on how big your box is (and they seem to get smaller every year), you might be able to fit it into a large flat-rate box.
Beyond that, if you like Priority Mail, you can still send it through that mail class, just use your own mailbox and Priority Mail pricing.
Granted, this can be significantly more expensive than flat rate shipping.
If you want to save some money and don’t mind slower service, you can send your package through Retail Ground.
Also, if money is not an issue and time is of the essence, you can also ship Priority Mail Express.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on who ships USPS packages, USPS can open Priority Mail, and USPS is a courier service.
in conclusion
USPS board game boxes were introduced in 2010 as an easy way to ship board games, but by 2022 they were discontinued, in part due to a lack of customer interest.
Today, if you want to ship a board game, you can use regular Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, or Retail Ground.
