USPS Packaging Instruction 3A | Postal Explorer (2024)

FAQs

What is acceptable packaging for USPS? ›

Choose a box with enough room for cushioning material around the contents. Sturdy paperboard or corrugated fiberboard boxes are best for weights up to 10 pounds. If you are reusing a box, totally remove or obliterate all previous labels and markings with heavy black marker.

Acceptance employees are required to ask the question "Does your parcel contain anything liquid, fragile, perishable, or potentially hazardous?"

Hazardous materials include any matter having a clear potential for causing harm to the mail, persons, or property involved in moving the mail.

If you're using your own packaging, dimensional (DIM) weight may apply, so always enter your package's dimensions in the USPS Price Calculator to ensure you're paying enough for postage. Use the correct package label. Make sure the label you're using matches the packaging.

Adequate packaging is the packaging that protects the goods or valuables contained within and protects the environment against the risks arising from the packed product or the packaging itself.

For shipments traveling shorter distances, Zones 1-4, and weighing less than 20 lbs, using your own packaging for weight-based rates may be a better value. Across all zones, though, shipments weighing over 25 lbs will ship for less in a Flat Rate Large Box.

Otherwise, Priority Mail® is just the name of the service class, and you can use any box or packaging that you'd like... and for most cases, it's actually cheaper to use your own packaging instead of a Flat Rate service. Use our postage rate calculator to find your most cost effective options.

Most USPS boxes are free. If you're using Flat Rate from USPS, you'll need to order Flat Rate boxes from the USPS site. Regional Rate boxes can be used for Regional Rate shipping from USPS, but you can also use your own packaging (though it'll cost a bit more).

No mailman doesn't know what's in the package. Only one authorized to look at your package would be a postal inspector and they only look if they are suspicious of contents.

Fragrances: Any alcohol-based perfumes, colognes and aftershaves fall under Hazmat Class 3 since they are flammable liquids. Even natural fragrance products like essential oils are flammable and, therefore, hazardous.

What is the most common reason a hazmat package is rejected? ›

This one may seem obvious, but if your hazmat package is damaged or leaking on the loading dock, your carrier will (and should) reject it. Hazmat labels are bright and they stick out. Labeling mistakes stick out too.

Liquids and powders that are nonhazardous (i.e., not regulated as hazardous materials) are mailable provided they are properly packaged as specified in 451.3. Any matter that is a source of an obnoxious odor is nonmailable.

The answer is yes, you can pick up free boxes at the post office. What's more, you can order USPS boxes free online.

As we mentioned above, combining your own custom packaging with the right USPS service is often more cost-effective than using flat-rate boxes. One such option is taking advantage of cubic pricing. Priority Mail cubic pricing is a more efficient USPS service for shipping small packages that weigh up to 20 pounds.

The USPS will keep you well-stocked with boxes, stickers, forms, and more for free. These pre-printed envelopes, Tyvek® mailers, and boxes can be used to send items through Priority Mail® and Priority Mail Express®, and they're eco-friendly.

Paper wrapping is not recommended; it can catch and tear off in mail processing equipment. Parcels (including fragile items) should be prepared to withstand normal mail processing and transportation. Contents can be padded with newspaper, Styrofoam, bubble wrap, tissue and ink-free packing paper.

Yes, so long as you're not shipping via Flat Rate. If you're shipping Priority Mail Commercial from home, you can use any box you want. Just be sure to remove any old postal barcodes or labels. By using PitneyShip, you can easily weigh and measure your package and print the appropriate Priority Mail postage.

Using the Right Box For Shipping

What you want is corrugated fiberboard (aka corrugated cardboard), which is the standard when it comes to packaging items for shipping, moving, or any kind of transporting.

After you've placed your item in its shipping box, use lightweight packing materials, such as bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or even popcorn to keep it protected. Then, seal the package with 2-inch nylon strapping tape or plastic packing tape — these are much more durable than using masking tape or duct tape.