What is the USPS case for? (all you must know)
When visiting your local post office, you might not immediately notice one of the displays, which hangs near the front of the building and is filled with boxes.
But then someone came in, took a box, and went away! What just happened? No one else seems to have any idea about this. Are they free? What’s the use of USPS boxes at the post office? I’ve got the answer you need, so read on to learn more!
What is the USPS box in 2022?
USPS boxes are primarily located near the front of the post office for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Flat Rate shipping, and they are completely free in 2022. Customers are welcome to come in and pick up the quantity they need. USPS boxes are also available for free through The Postal Store, USPS’ online store.
To learn more about what you can do with these USPS boxes, what the different types of boxes are, questions about free boxes, and more, keep going! I have everything you need to know.
What can you do with a USPS box?
Complimentary PO Boxes (and envelopes) are only available for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Flat Rate Shipping.
(Keep in mind that inventory at your local post office may vary.)
Priority Mail shipping is priced based on weight and destination, which includes $50 worth of insurance and tracking.
Priority Mail flat-rate shipping starts at just $9.45 for small boxes and up to $21.50 for large boxes. It also includes $50 insurance and tracking services.
Note, however, that the Priority Mail and Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes can only be used for these mail classes.
In fact, it is actually illegal to attempt to use a Priority Mail box for any other shipping method.
What are the different types of USPS boxes?
There are five different types of Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes that can be found at post offices for free. They are as follows:
- Small Box: 8-11/16″ x 5-7/16″ x 1-3/4″
- Mid Height: 11-1/4″ x 8-3/4″ x 6″ outer
- Medium Short: 14″ x 12″ x 3-1/2″ Outer
- Maximum Height: 12″ x 12-1/4″ x 6″
- Big Short: 24-1/16″ x 11-7/8″ x 3-1/8″
In addition, there are various regular Priority Mail boxes, such as tall, thin boxes like Box 1092, or large square boxes like Box #7.
Now, when you get these at the post office, you can bring one or two (or how many you need).
However, if you order online, in some cases you have to “buy” them in groups of 10 or 25.
As a reminder, although you’ll go through the checkout process, you don’t actually have to buy anything.
Instead, USPS will only verify your name and address. Your postman will then bring them to him/her on the next mail loop.
What are the benefits of a free USPS box?
There’s nothing wrong with free USPS boxes – they’re completely free, even when ordered online.
This also includes shipping! Your mail carrier will bring them to your front door with their next mail loop.
This is how the Postal Service encourages people to use its shipping services.
While the USPS has a monopoly on letter mail, it competes with UPS and FedEx for package shipping.
But if your package isn’t in a hurry (i.e. doesn’t need to reach its destination overnight or two days), something like Priority Mail Flat Rate can save you hundreds of dollars.
Is it illegal to use priority mailboxes?
It is illegal to use a Priority Mail mailbox for anything other than Priority Mail.
This means you cannot use it for First-Class packages, Retail Ground or any other mail class than Priority Mail.
Additionally, you cannot use a Priority Mail mailbox for Priority Mail Flat Rate Shipping and vice versa.
The warning on each box reads: “Abuse may violate federal law.”
That’s because USPS is a federal agency, and you don’t want to be caught cheating the federal government.
Can you return an unused USPS box?
You can easily return unused USPS boxes to your local post office.
If you’re returning a box of a different size, in addition to small, medium, and large, USPS staff will be especially happy to receive them.
This is because USPS locations can only order in a few different sizes, so having more than standard sizes is a treat for the Post Office.
On this Etsy thread, one person commented: “The post office here has told me multiple times that they only get priority boxes in a few sizes.”
They continued, “They like that I bring in extra dimensions that they don’t get, or just that I find I don’t use and they don’t.”
Is it cheaper to use my own mailbox for priority mail?
Using your own mailbox with Priority Mail costs the same as using a post office mailbox – $0.
This is because priority mailboxes are available for free through the post office and online.
The only time you have to pay for the post office is if you don’t have access to the post office and you don’t have a mailbox at home; then you have to order a box from somewhere.
To learn more, you can also check out our posts on where to get a USPS box, how to order a USPS box, and USPS mailbox regulations.
in conclusion
USPS boxes, such as those found at the Post Office in the front area, are used for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Flat Rate Shipping, and these boxes are completely free.
The same goes for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes available online through The Postal Store, plus free shipping (by your mail carrier).
