Regional Rate Boxes

[antarestar]

I keep hearing about people using the Regional rate boxes but whenever I look at pricing, Priority is usually cheaper.
I finally decided to look into exactly how do the regional rate boxes work.
From stamps.com:

Offered by the USPS®, Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes are a low-cost shipping alternative for customers who purchase and print shipping labels online. Regional Rate Boxes provide shippers with a low cost mail class for packages traveling short distances.

https://www.stamps.com/usps/priority-mail-regional-rate-box/

I don’t tend to ship anywhere near my area so that explains why the regional boxes are so much more expensive for me. Folks living in areas where they ship inside their own state or general region will do better with these boxes.
Now I know and knowing’s half the battle.

[MDC Galleries & Fine Art]

Hi Antarestar:
One thing to also remember. While yes, as you state, RR boxes do offer a little break on items shipped a zone or two out from your location, unlike Flat Rate, reg. Rate boxes can be used for regular priority.

If an item fits in it and you want to use it to ship 3,000 miles away Priority, just make sure you print yourself a “Priority” label, pay the “Priority” rate and slap the label on the box. USPS doesn’t care. BUT-BUT- Those Reg. Rate boxes are much thinner walled and have a lower burst- crush strength because of it. We use the Reg. rate boxes for the inner box many times when we need to double box. We pack the RR boxes just like we are prepping to ship but then put that inside a thicker walled box, either a USPS box or even one of our generic brown boxes, but we always put the USPS Priority label on it and slap a few USPS Priority decals over all 4 corners.

If you didn’t already know any plain brown box can be made into a USPS Priority box, by putting Priority decals on it and then making ABSOLUTELY sure you print out and use a “Priority” label.

On Flat Rate, sure, only use those for Flat Rate shipments. I hardly ever use a flat rate anything because our TRS plus discount makes every package we ship less costly. And hardly ever to we get real heavy items that will fit in any FR box.

So, bottom line the RR thinner boxes are good for stuffing, tearing up and wrapping glasses in, etc. and using as the inner protection. But if a seller doesn’t get the discounts we get then RR may have an occasional value, but for us, it along with flat rate boxes are mostly scrap wrapping cardboard.

Mike at MDC Galleries and Fine Art.

[antarestar]

I use a fair amount of the flat rate envelopes and the padded flat rate envelopes for clothes that weigh over 1lb.

Your comment about the stickers reminded me of the last time I ordered them. The polymailer got all torn and opened. My mail carrier, at the time, brought it to me very apologetic because he thought something important might have been ruined. I told him not to worry and showed him what was in the bag. The look of relief on his face cracked me up.

[Retro Treasures WV]

The very basics of regional rate:

If it fits in a Regional rate A box, it is 2 lbs.
If it fits in a Regional rate B box, it is 5 lbs.

Use this to your tactical advantage as needed.

have a coat that is 2lb 2oz? Put it in a regional A box and ship as 2lb.

Even better, if it fits in a padded flat rate envelope put it in there for cross country shipping.

[Mark S]

I seem to have the best luck with the side loading Regional A boxes. If the weight is over 2 pounds and the item fits in it, is should work. I have saved a ton of money over the years with that box.

I use the top loading Regional A boxes here and there. I would guess 15-20 a year. They are just a tad too small for most shoes, but I can fit about a size 8 shoe or less in these. One trick is to put the shoe in diagonally, then flip the over shoe over and place it on top of the other shoe diagonally also so that the tops are touching (put bubble wrap in between if you think damage is possible). These tricks can save as much as $5-$7 on one item!

I will occasionally use a Top/Side Loadding Regional B, but I would say probably 5 or less in a year.

Mark

[antarestar]

I didn’t realize there was a side loading regional A box. I only noticed the top loading ones on USPS.com. Thanks, I’ll have to order some and see if I end up using them.

[Author]

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