Shippers need to know about priority mail box sizes, purposes, and dimensions along with cost. Priority mail service, as the name hints, is the prioritized shipment service for reliable and speedy shipment. Customers mix priority mailboxes and flat-rate boxes in terms of rates, cost, and box sizes. However, there is a clear distinction between both. We will cover all the aspects of priority mail box sizes, different regions used in priority service, diction between flat rate and priority mail, and many more.
What Is Priority Mail Service?
Priority Mail Service is designed to give shipments top priority. As the name suggests, it stands out among other USPS shipping options for its speed and reliability. This shipping service solely depends on tiers, delivery timeframes, and package/box sizes.Priority Mail service is further divided into two categories. First is Priority Mail Flat Rate and the other is Priority Mail Retail/Commercial. Each service offers unique benefits depending on your shipping needs.
- Priority Mail Express: it is the fastest service with 1-2 day delivery for up to 70 lbs product.
- Priority Mail: Priority mail is known for cost-effectiveness and speed. Through this service, products are delivered within 2-3 days weighing up to 70 lbs.
- First-Class Mail: This is ideal for small products with speedy shipment. With this service, products are delivered within 1-3 days weighing 13 oz.
- USPS Retail Ground: This is for normal shipments, taking 2-6 days to deliver any type of product.
- Media Mail: This priority mail service is best for academic purposes. It takes 2-6 business days to deliver books, magazines, etc.
What is Flat Rate Shipping?
Flat Rate is the shipping service at a fixed price regardless of the product weight. It is used by businesses to send their products to different areas at the same or fixed rate. It is as simple as free shipping, providing a clear cost structure to both the seller and the customer.
This method is only best for e-commerce businesses and people shipping heavy products. Know all about this, if you are shipping lightweight products because lightweight products shipping by other methods might be more affordable than flat-rate shipping methods.
Read More: Guide To Different USPS Boxes Sizes, Prices, and Shipping Costs
Understanding USPS Shipping Zones
Whenever, using priority mail service, knowing about zones/regions is crucial. USPS has 9 shipping zones to determine the cost of shipping packages. These zones cover all United States areas such as Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. Territories.
Each zone is assigned a number from 1 to 9. Zone 1 includes areas close to Los Angeles, while Zone 8 covers the eastern U.S. and Hawaii. The zone system is important for priority mail box sizes because shipping costs depend package's weight and the distance it needs to travel.
Priority Mail Box Sizes
The priority mail box cost is fixed or flat rate regardless of weight and distance. The priority mail box sizes are given below:
- Box 1092: 13.688 x 12 x 2.875 inches.
- Box 1095: 15 x 12 x 3.125 inches.
- Box 1096L: 9.438 x 6.438 x 2.188 inches.
- Box 1097: 13.375 x 11.625 x 2.5 inches.
- Box 4: 7.25 x 7.25 x 6.5 inches.
- Box 7: 12.25 x 12 x 8.5 inches.
Small, medium, and large priority mail flat rate boxes are stated below:
- Small Box: Dimension: 8-11/16" x 5-7/16" x 1-3/4"
- Medium Box: 11-1/4" x 8-3/4" x 6"
- Side-Loading Medium Box: 14-1/8" x 12" x 3-1/2"
- Large Box: 12-1/4" x 12" x 6"
- Medium Box Option 2: 13-7/16" x 11-5/8" x 2-1/2"
- Dual-Use Priority Small Tube Box: 25-9/16" x 6" x 5-1/4"
- Shoe Box: 14-7/8" x 5-1/4" x 7-3/8"
- Side-Loading Large Box: 15" x 12" x 3-1/8"
- USPS Large Box: 12-1/4" x 12" x 8-1/2"
- DVD Box: 8-3/4" x 5-9/16" x 7/8"
- USPS Medium Box: 11-3/4" x 8-3/4" x 5-3/4"
- APO/FPO Box: 12-1/4" x 12" x 6"
- Forever Prepaid Flat Rate Side-Loading Medium Box: 14-1/8" x 12" x 3-1/2"
- Medium Cube-Shaped Box: 7-1/4" x 7-1/4" x 6-1/2"
- Medium Box Option 2: 15" x 12" x 3-1/8"
- Forever Prepaid Small Box: 8-11/16" x 5-7/16" x 1-3/4"
- Cold Chain Packaging: 13-15/16" x 11-3/4" x 12-1/16"
- Medium Box Option 1: 14-1/8" x 12" x 3-1/2"
- Forever Prepaid Flat Rate Medium Box: 11" x 8-1/2" x 5-1/2"
- Medium Tube Box: 38-1/16" x 6-1/4" x 4-1/4"
- Small Box: 9-7/16" x 6-7/16" x 2-3/16"
- Forever Prepaid Flat Rate Large Box: 12-1/4" x 12" x 6"
- Medium Box Option 1: 13-11/16" x 12" x 2-7/8"
Priority Mail vs Flat Rate Boxes
Flat rate boxes and priority mailboxes are different on many occasions. They cost different for different weights. As told, if the weight is higher, flat rate service is a better choice. However, if lightweight products are to be shipped, priority service will offer more benefits. So, here is the detailed analysis for small, large, and medium flat rate box service vs. mailbox service.
USPS Priority Mail vs. USPS Small Flat Rate Box
- Small Flat Rate Box:
- Price: $7.90
- Size: 8 11/16" x 5 7/16" x 1 3/4"
Analysis:
- When to Use: Best for shipments over 2 lbs.
- Exceptions:
- Less than 1 lb for Zones 5-9.
- 1 lb 1 oz - 2 lbs for Zones 3-9.
USPS Priority Mail vs. USPS Medium Flat Rate Box:
- Medium Flat Rate Box:
- Price: $14.35
- Size: 14” x 12” x 3 ½”
Analysis:
- When to Use: Best for shipments over 11 lbs.
- Exceptions:
- 1 lb 1 oz - 2 lbs for Zone 9.
- 2 lb 1 oz - 3 lbs for Zones 7-9.
- 3 lb 1 oz - 5 lbs for Zones 6-9.
- 5 lb 1 oz - 6 lbs for Zones 5-9.
- 6 lb 1 oz - 8 lbs for Zones 4-9.
- 9 lb 1 oz - 11 lbs for Zones 3-9.
USPS Priority Mail vs. USPS Large Flat Rate Box:
- Large Flat Rate Box:
- Price: $19.95
- Size: 12 ¼” x 12 ¼” x 6”
Analysis:
When to Use: Best for shipments over 18 lbs.
Exceptions:
- 2 lb 1 oz - 3 lbs for Zone 9.
- 3 lb 1 oz - 4 lbs for Zones 8-9.
- 4 lb 1 oz - 5 lbs for Zones 7-9.
- 5 lb 1 oz - 7 lbs for Zones 6-9.
- 7 lb 1 oz - 10 lbs for Zones 5-9.
- 10 lb 1 oz - 13 lbs for Zones 4-9.
- 13 lb 1 oz - 18 lbs for Zones 3-9.
Final Verdict
Priority mail box service is the best option to ship products quickly to different zones. It offers reliable and speedy shipment service for priority mail box sizes under 70 lbs. Users can use their own boxes for more convenience and affordable rates. If you want to get priority mail boxes at wholesale rates to save more cost, Your Box Packaging is the go-to shop for all your custom boxes. Contact us to get hi-fi services at your disposal.