Shipping cost is more than just how much the carrier charges to deliver a package. For example, let's look at the package itself.
If you use the carriers' air services, each carrier provides boxes and envelopes at no cost to you. Here are some examples.
The USPS has an Express Mail 12" x 15.5" x 2" box, the Tyvek envelope, the 6" x 25" tube mailer and the 6" x 38" tube mailer, all that you put postage on based on the weight. They also provide the Express Mail Flat Rate Envelope and a Legal Size Flat rate envelope which each needs 1 postage amount regardless of what you have in the envelope. For every one of these, the packaging is free. You pay only the postage.
For their air delivery services, UPS and FedEx provide envelopes plus shipping boxes in 3 sizes. They are also free. It is important to note that dimensional weight rates apply, so use the box that just fits. How can dimensional weights affect your shipping costs? Even if what you send weighs less then a pound, if the box dimensions rate the package as 3 pounds, you pay the 3 pound rate as a mininum.
For USPS Priority Mail, there are a variety of envelopes and boxes. A number include flat rate shipping as an added benefit. One rule is the box needs to keep its original form, not packed until it's bulging. For instance, a Large Flat Rate Priority box needs $12.95 in postage. If 7 pounds of merchandise fits, you’ll save up to $6 dollars versus regular Priority mail rates. More information about USPS supplied packaging materials is at http://shop.usps.com/.
Will these boxes be right for every package? Maybe not, but whenever you can use these boxes, it's money you keep. Between the actual cost of the box and using flat rate services, smart use of these may save you up to $20 dollars per package!
If you use the carriers' air services, each carrier provides boxes and envelopes at no cost to you. Here are some examples.
The USPS has an Express Mail 12" x 15.5" x 2" box, the Tyvek envelope, the 6" x 25" tube mailer and the 6" x 38" tube mailer, all that you put postage on based on the weight. They also provide the Express Mail Flat Rate Envelope and a Legal Size Flat rate envelope which each needs 1 postage amount regardless of what you have in the envelope. For every one of these, the packaging is free. You pay only the postage.
For their air delivery services, UPS and FedEx provide envelopes plus shipping boxes in 3 sizes. They are also free. It is important to note that dimensional weight rates apply, so use the box that just fits. How can dimensional weights affect your shipping costs? Even if what you send weighs less then a pound, if the box dimensions rate the package as 3 pounds, you pay the 3 pound rate as a mininum.
For USPS Priority Mail, there are a variety of envelopes and boxes. A number include flat rate shipping as an added benefit. One rule is the box needs to keep its original form, not packed until it's bulging. For instance, a Large Flat Rate Priority box needs $12.95 in postage. If 7 pounds of merchandise fits, you’ll save up to $6 dollars versus regular Priority mail rates. More information about USPS supplied packaging materials is at http://shop.usps.com/.
Will these boxes be right for every package? Maybe not, but whenever you can use these boxes, it's money you keep. Between the actual cost of the box and using flat rate services, smart use of these may save you up to $20 dollars per package!
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