The United States Postal Service offers Priority Mail flat rate shipping in three box sizes: For larger boxes or shipments of multiple boxes, consolidated freight is one of the most cost-effective shipping methods.Ĭompare rates for shipping flat rate boxes using the most common shipping methods: For single boxes, USPS is often the cheapest option. The cheapest way to ship flat rate boxes depends on the exact size of the box, and for some providers, the speed and distance it will travel.

How much does it cost to ship flat rate boxes? This includes sending goods to customers, as well as common household goods like linens, books, and decorative objects. Items to ship: As long as it’s not on your shipping provider’s list of prohibited items, anything you can fit into a properly sized box with adequate padding can be shipped using flat rate shipping.If you need more space than the largest flat rate box will allow, flat rate shipping may not work for you.

To make sure your cargo stays safe in transit, use a box that is large enough to contain your cargo with adequate padding on all sides.

Packaging: You’ll need to use the correctly sized box to qualify for flat rate shipping, which typically means you’ll have to purchase your packaging directly from your shipping provider.

If you have exceptionally heavy cargo (over 70 lbs), you’ll want to consider consolidated freight.

Weight: The weight of your shipment typically doesn’t matter as long as your cargo is under the weight limit specified by your shipping provider.

In general, the larger the box, the more your shipment will cost.

Box size: Flat rate pricing only applies to certain box sizes, and packaging often needs to be purchased directly from your shipping provider to ensure it meets these size requirements.

While flat rate shipping is one of the simplest and most straightforward methods of transporting boxed cargo, there are a number of considerations to keep in mind when preparing your shipment: Because the price of the shipment is not dependent on its weight, flat rate shipping is especially ideal for large or heavier household items that can be safely boxed.

Homeowners shipping household goods long distance.

Flat rate shipping may be more economical because shipping costs are not based on weight or dimensional weight, especially for smaller but heavier items.

Businesses, particularly small businesses, shipping packages to customers.

This predictability and the ease of arranging a shipment makes flat rate shipping ideal for: Instead, the price of a flat rate box shipment is based on package size and occasionally speed and distance of travel depending on your shipping provider, making shipping costs easier to predict than variable pricing that is based on the size and weight of your cargo as well as the speed and distance of travel.

Although there will typically be size or weight limits to consider, the cost of your shipment is not dependent on the weight or shape of your box, making flat rate box shipping one of the simplest shipping methods available. Get answers to the most frequently asked questions about shipping flat rate boxes.įlat rate box shipping means that you’ll pay a single, fixed price to ship your boxed goods. We've calculated shipping costs for three common shipping methods: USPS, parcel shipping, and consolidated freight. How Much Does it Cost to Ship Flat Rate Boxes? Our Cheapest Way to Ship Anything guides make it easy to compare shipping costs and choose the right method for your cargo, whether you're shipping common items like boxes or difficult-to-transport goods like antiques or artwork. Ultimate Guide to Preparing for Your Moveĭisaster & Emergency Preparedness ResourcesĬan't find exactly what you're looking for? View all of our Resource pages here.Ĭalculating flat-rate shipping costs and choosing the most economical shipping method can be confusing. Can't find exactly what you're looking for? View all of our Residential pages here.Ĭan't find exactly what you're looking for? View all of our Commercial pages here.

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