What is a USPS Flat Rate Envelope? (all you must know)
When sending a document, book, or anything flat, you might choose to avoid wrapping it in an entire box, opting instead for an envelope.
Fortunately, with the U.S. Postal Service, you can choose from a variety of envelopes, most of which are flat rate. But what is a USPS Flat Rate envelope and how many different envelopes are there? I’ve got the answer you’re looking for, so keep reading!
What is the USPS Flat Rate Envelope in 2022?
USPS Flat Rate Envelopes are special mail items that can be obtained for free and delivered to any destination in the United States and its territories at a very low price in 2022. Shipping a Priority Mail Flat Rate envelope costs $8.95. There are currently nine different types of Flat Rate envelopes to choose from.
To learn more about what you can mail in Flat Rate Envelopes, where you can get them and how much they cost, how much does it cost to mail, and even where you can mail it from, go ahead!
What can you mail in a flat rate envelope?
The obvious item to send in a flat rate envelope is a document, whether it’s a manuscript, a term paper, or even a letter that you’d rather get to your destination sooner than later.
(After all, first-class mail can take up to 10 days.)
However, people can use this flat rate envelope hack to get away with sending other items like books or journals, or even small boxes.
The rules for shipping in Flat Rate Envelopes are as follows:
- “Shipping if it fits”: As long as you can close the envelope with the supplied adhesive tape, you’re ready to go.
However, you have to make it fit, so if the item is in it and the top flap is closed, it can be shipped.
However, if the top flap doesn’t close easily and needs the help of tape or other adhesive, you may have to hit the flat-rate box.
- You can use tape, but only to secure the seam of the envelope – not to keep it closed.
Frankly, if your envelopes are going to pop without the tape, you’re better off moving to a flat-rate box.
- Flat rate is about price: “Flat rate” in flat rate refers to the price – the price is the same regardless of where the item goes or its weight (under 70 pounds).
However, that doesn’t mean the envelope has to be flat! Again, if you can fit your items and use tape to close them, you can just ship.
Are USPS Flat Rate Envelopes Free?
Happily, USPS Flat Rate envelopes are free!
You can pick them up at your local post office, and some halls are open 24/7, so you can visit them at any time of the day or night (use this handy locator before you go).
Again, you can order them online and have them shipped to you for absolutely free.
With the Postal Store, you can order envelopes in packs of 10 (so if you only want one, you’re better off making the long trip to the post office).
Once your order is placed, your postman will pick up the envelopes during the next delivery cycle and leave them at your front door – easy and fun!
Can you use your own envelope for flat rate?
You cannot use your own envelope for USPS flat rate shipping as that would defeat the purpose.
Instead, the Postal Service makes its Flat Rate envelopes easily accessible through your local post office or online, and they are completely free.
How much does it cost to ship a Flat Rate envelope?
USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelopes are very affordable; 12.5″ x 9.5″ or smaller envelopes can be shipped anywhere in the US and territories for just $8.95.
Statutory Flat Rate envelopes are $9.25, and padded Flat Rate envelopes are only $9.65.
However, USPS Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelopes are more expensive at $26.95 for regular envelopes, $27.10 for legal envelopes, and $27.50 for padded envelopes.
However, you pay for overnight or two-day shipping, which will definitely add to the cost.
How much does it cost to ship a padded flat rate envelope?
Shipping a Priority Mail Padded Flat Rate Envelope via USPS costs only $9.65, while a Priority Mail Express Padded Flat Rate Envelope costs $27.50.
As with all Flat Rate envelopes, you don’t need to keep the envelope flat to mail it.
Instead, as long as it closes easily along the supplied tape, you can make the envelope any shape you need, with the added security of filling!
Can you put Flat Rate envelopes in the mailbox?
If you haven’t paid the postage, you can go to the post office and the staff will take your information (and that of your recipient) and print a label for you.
After that, they usually take it to the counter and put your envelope with the rest of the day’s outgoing mail.
Again, you can print labels at home and apply them yourself. At that point, you can put it in any mailbox you like, starting with your own.
Also, if you’re out running errands and see a big blue box, you can put it there too!
Are Priority Mail envelopes the same as Flat Rate envelopes?
USPS Priority Mail envelopes are not the same as USPS Flat Rate envelopes.
In fact, regular USPS Priority Mail envelopes do not have flat rate stated on them and are therefore not eligible for flat rate pricing.
Instead, all Flat Rate envelopes will have “Flat Rate” written on them to indicate their mail class.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on USPS Flat Rate, USPS Flat Rate envelope limits, and what is Flat USPS.
in conclusion
USPS Flat Rate Envelopes are the perfect low-cost shipping solution for flat items like documents, books, or small boxes.
As long as the edges of the envelope close easily and the adhesive on the envelope closes on its own, you can use flat-rate shipping and potentially save hundreds of dollars.
