USPS Flat Rate Shipping & Its Benefits for E-Commerce
Contents
Flat rate shipping is offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) as one set rate for packages under 70 pounds.
E-commerce businesses rely on profit margins to make money. Shipping can play a big role in costs for an e-commerce business. Shipping should be as efficient and affordable as possible. USPS flat rate shipping can help keep shipping margins low.
With USPS flat rate shipping, as long as your package is under 70 pounds, it can be shipped for one set fee. This can save businesses money, especially those shipping heavier items.
What Is USPS Flat Rate Shipping?
The United States Postal Service offers Priority Mail flat rate shipping that will typically deliver packages in one to three business days. For one set rate, starting as low as $8.70, you can ship packages up to 70 pounds to any state.
To take advantage of the Priority Mail flat rate, you will use a Priority Mail Flat Rate envelope or box. These are available in a variety of standard sizes. Your package can weigh up to 70 pounds.
How Flat Rate Shipping Works
USPS flat rate shipping simplifies the shipping process, as you do not need to measure or weigh your shipping contents (as long as they remain under 70 pounds). The price is set, and the weight, shape, and size of the item being shipped are irrelevant to the cost. The flat rate is based on whatever fits in the USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate box.
USPS flat rate shipping is easy to use with the following steps:
- Obtain a USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate box from your local USPS office. These boxes range in size from small to medium to large. Bigger boxes will cost more than smaller ones, and the weight of your shipped items cannot exceed 70 pounds.
- Pack your products in the flat rate box and ensure that the box can close properly.
- Address the package legibly.
- Take the box to your local USPS office and ship it using Priority Mail.
Cost of Flat Rate Shipping
The cost of USPS flat rate shipping depends on the size of the envelope or box you need. The following are current costs from the United States Postal Service:
| Size | Dimensions | Commercial Base | At Post Office and Online |
| Flat Rate Envelope | 12 ½” x 9 ½” | $7.75 | $8.95 |
| Window Flat Rate Envelope | 10” x 5” commercial12 ½” x 9 ½”Online or at USPS | $7.75 | $8.95 |
| Small Flat Rate Envelope | 10” x 6” | $7.75 | $8.95 |
| Padded Flat Rate Envelope | 12 ½” x 9 ½” | $8.45 | $9.65 |
| Legal Flat Rate Envelope | 15” x 9 ½” | $8.05 | $9.25 |
| Small Flat Rate Box | Outside: 8 11/16” x 5 7/16” x 1 ¾”Inside: 8 5/8” x 5 3/8” x 1 5/8” | $8.25 | $9.45 |
| Medium Flat Rate Box- Top Loading | Outside:11 ¼” x 8 ¾” x 6”Inside: 11” x 8 ½” x 5 ½” | $14.25 | $16.10 |
| Medium Flat Rate Box- Side Loading | Outside: 14” x 12” x 3 ½”Inside: 13 5/8” x 11 7/8” x 3 3/8” | $14.25 | $16.10 |
| Large Flat Rate Box | Outside: 12 ¼” x 12 ¼” x 6”Inside: 12” x 12” x 5 ½” | $19.20 | $21.50 |
Flat Rate Shipping Timelines
The time of delivery will depend on where the package is shipped from and where it is going. Typically, packages are delivered in one to three days, not including Sundays.
Restrictions & Prohibitions of USPS Flat Rate Shipping
While weight and size are inconsequential with USPS flat rate shipping (other than the 70-pound maximum), there are some things that cannot be shipped through the mail or that have specific regulations. This includes hazardous materials and the following:
- Cigarettes and smokeless tobacco
- Alcohol
- Gasoline
- Firearm ammunition
- Explosives
- Airbags
Benefits of Flat Rate Shipping
USPS flat rate shipping can help to save e-commerce businesses money and time by offering a simple, affordable, and effective method for shipping products. It can eliminate the time and effort it takes to measure your items, weigh them, and package them yourself.
USPS Priority flat rate shipping provides the shipping boxes. All you have to do is fit your items inside — no measuring necessary. As long as the flaps close easily, and the items do not distort the size or shape of the box, you are good to go.
Shipping rates are often determined by weight and dimensional weight. The carrier will multiply the length of the package by the height by the width to come up with its dimensional weight. Then, the package will be priced based on whichever is heavier — the actual weight or the dimensional weight. This can get expensive, and flat rate shipping of heavier items up to 70 pounds can be more cost-effective.
The distance the package needs to be shipped can also influence the overall cost, as can the shipping zone where the package is being delivered. Flat rate shipping is a set cost no matter where the package is being sent within the United States.
Additional benefits of USPS flat rate shipping include the following:
- You have the ability to ship anything that fits in one of the boxes, up to 70 pounds. You do not need to weigh your items or calculate shipping rates based on size and weight.
- It’s simple. You can pick up and drop off the boxes at your local and convenient USPS store as soon as it is ready to be shipped.
- USPS tracking is included. You are able to follow the progress of your package by inputting your package number into the USPS tracker.
- Flat rate packages are automatically insured up to $50. You will not need to purchase separate shipping insurance. As long as your items are under $50, you will be covered in the event of loss.
Resources
Priority Mail. (2022). USPS.
