usps priority mail - medium boxes

[tiptoe]

There are two choices: and I thought the taller one would hold more, but when I did the math, I found the flatter one holds about 33 cu. in. more. Mailing cost, $12.65, is the same.



Inside Dimensions: 11-7/8" x 3-3/8" x 13-5/8"



Inside Dimensions: 11" x 8-1/2" x 5-1/2"

[Starchild]

In my experience the priority mail boxes are a convenience you pay for. Hiker boxes are typically lighter then what the USPS expects one may ship and you may be able to go with 1/2 the cost still shipping priority but bringing your own box.

However it not only requires you to find a box, but bring it to the PO and pay for it. This sometimes does not work well. I have had hostel owners offer to take my box to the PO, in a fixed rate box how much I pay them is known, with my own box they don't know how much it will cost , so it is much better to get to the PO myself.

[HeartFire]

You can save over a dollar by paying on line - click and ship.com, just takes a credit card to make an account. gets you free tracking, and the label is barcoded for easier reading.

[handlebar]

I found my mail drops went cheaper in the medium flat rate box since they were for 5 days with weight about 10-12 lbs. flat rate was cheaper than weighed rate even for relatively short distrances.

[rocketsocks]

Can a flat rate box be bounced up the trail?

[Starchild]

Can a flat rate box be bounced up the trail?

Yes, I believe any priority mail can be bounced.

[Busky2]

Can a flat rate box be bounced up the trail?

It has been my experience that as long as it is not opened they will forward it free.

[4eyedbuzzard]

It has been my experience that as long as it is not opened they will forward it free.

You cannot take physical possession of the package or it will likely be considered delivered, opened or not. Tell them you want to forward it when you first ask about it and BEFORE they scan it and/or bring it to the counter. And you can ask over the phone for it to be forwarded.

[scyankee]

Can you ship to hostel and then forward? Still new to this


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[squeezebox]

What are the dimensions of the other sized boxes? small large etc. costs?

[jbwood5]

Can you ship to hostel and then forward? Still new to this


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Delivery to hostel would be considered "received" and presumebly the box could only be forwarded with new postage paid.

[tiptoe]

squeezebox, the usps site isn't the easiest to navigate, but you could start here:
for shipping supplies: https://store.usps.com/store/browse/...pping-supplies
for mailing costs: http://postcalc.usps.com/

[4eyedbuzzard]

USPS is forever changing. Especially now that Congress is in full gear completing its sworn mission to destroy the Postal Service.
What can and can't go Priority Mail has changed due to distribution methods, hubs, etc. Here's a bit of some copy and paste from some prior research, plus some new research on the subject of mailing stove canisters, batteries, etc., with thanks to Mrs. Buzzard (Clerk and Postmaster) for guiding me through the ever changing USPS regs.

Look here http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52apxa.htm#ep725700 for just about any material

Lithium batteries http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_026.htm Basically, Standard Post (Surface) ONLY

FUEL: http://pe.usps.com/archive/html/dmma...3.htm#Rap37720
Methanol is allowed according to this analysis http://math-wizard.com/Pub52ORM-D.pdf

The following can only be sent Standard Post (formerly Parcel Post) and must be marked "Consumer Commodity ORM-D (other restricted materials-domestic)" and "Surface Transportation Only" (USPS label #127).

Esbit/solid fuel: Permitted, similar restrictions as gas canisters. http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_021.htm and http://pe.usps.com/archive/html/dmma...3.htm#Rap37720

Gas canisters - They can ONLY be mailed via Standard Post (formerly Parcel Post) - but CANNOT be mailed via Priority or 1st Class Mail, even if marked "Ground Ship Only" (see links). The reason is that all 1st Class, Priority, and above is routinely carried by aircraft, and USPS regulations state that any item accepted and/or charged at that postage rate MUST meet air transport restrictions. FAA and DOT prohibit air shipment of flammable gas canisters. Even if only mailed one town ahead, and even with labels saying ground only, distribution routes and/or mistakes in handling/sorting/routing could wind up with the parcel accidentally winding up on an airplane. Does it happen? Yes. USPS people make mistakes. Especially with all the new union busting part-time low-wage help they are hiring to replace former career employees (/micro-rant). The amount and nature of all the USPS regulations and documents can be overwhelming, and given the downsizing/reorganization going on in USPS, changes in distribution hubs, mistakes are going to be made. So some USPS offices have (and will) undoubtedly accepted Priority packages and put "Surface Transportation Only" on them. And generally, if someone is just bouncing a box up the trail it probably isn't going to go air anyway (but, it could due to the way USPS distribution centers work or a missent parcel). The real world outcome? Those little gas canisters are pretty robust and well engineered for a reason.

They can be mailed (but not internationally). http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_019.htm
They can only be sent Standard Post (formerly Parcel Post) and must be marked "Consumer Commodity ORM-D (other restricted materials-domestic)" and "Surface Transportation Only" (USPS label #127). http://pe.usps.com/archive/html/dmma...3.htm#Rap37720

Parcels must adhere to primary container quantity restrictions of less than 1 liter in volume total per mail piece (for hiker purposes, that equals 3 small 110 gram canisters) http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_019.htm#ep898824

[jbwood5]

Hard to believe they actually ban alcohol fuel in sealed, unopened containers.
Anyhow, thanks for the good info.

[4eyedbuzzard]

Hard to believe they actually ban alcohol fuel in sealed, unopened containers.
Anyhow, thanks for the good info.

And to add to the confusion - We got it wrong on the methanol: It can be mailed surface in small metal or plastic containers of limited size. Likely "denatured alcohol" can as well. See this - http://math-wizard.com/Pub52ORM-D.pdf Booze on the other hand, is still taboo.
It's crazy going through the pages of rules and regs. We got the flash point data wrong on the methanol.

[MamaBear]

There is one thing to note about the two medium priority boxes. The taller skinner one does not require tape to seal, it has the adhesive on the flaps, you just peel off the protective paper over the adhesive and seal up the boxes. The shorter one, you'll have to find, buy or bounce ahead tape, etc. to seal it up. Once on trail, if you're bouncing things ahead, the taller box might be more convenient to use. If you're wondering whether the adhesive is any good, I've tried opening those boxes because I forgot to put in an item and they're hard to get into without a knife, scissors or seriously mangling the box.

[4eyedbuzzard]

There is one thing to note about the two medium priority boxes. The taller skinner one does not require tape to seal, it has the adhesive on the flaps, you just peel off the protective paper over the adhesive and seal up the boxes. The shorter one, you'll have to find, buy or bounce ahead tape, etc. to seal it up. Once on trail, if you're bouncing things ahead, the taller box might be more convenient to use. If you're wondering whether the adhesive is any good, I've tried opening those boxes because I forgot to put in an item and they're hard to get into without a knife, scissors or seriously mangling the box.

If you are sending it priority, they should tape it for free at the post office with priority tape. You used to be able to get the rolls for free, not anymore, but they should still tape a priority box for free.

[Dogwood]

The med sized Priority Flat Rate box I decide to use depends on the shapes of the things I'm mailing in the box. Longer and flat I use the longer flatter box. When mailing food, socks, meds, etc I use the squarish(rectangular) box. Yes, they can be bounced. They also come with $50 insurance and an expedited mail time. They are better handled by the PO too as per both my aunt and uncle who retired from the USPO after decades of service have told me. And, yes, USPO will offer Priority tape to close these boxes when they sometimes(often?) will NOT supply tape at the window for other rate types of mail.

[Coffee]

The first post office I used in Colorado last summer for my bounce box (Leadville) required me to use my own tape. I purchased a roll in Leadville and kept it in the box for use in Salida and Lake City. Kind of annoying.

[4eyedbuzzard]

The first post office I used in Colorado last summer for my bounce box (Leadville) required me to use my own tape. I purchased a roll in Leadville and kept it in the box for use in Salida and Lake City. Kind of annoying.

If it isn't being sent Priority Mail (which applies to anyone sending fuel, lithium batteries, or other restricted ORM-D material by Parcel Select), then yes, you have to supply your own tape. But they are supposed to offer Priority tape for Priority Mail.