USPS Flat Rate envelopes only cost $4.95 to ship within the USA.
The USPS (United States Post Office) offers a Flat Rate envelope that only costs $4.95 to ship anywhere in the United States. Many people assume that only papers or documents can be placed in this mailer. Not so! Learn use the USPS Flat Rate mailer to save money on shipping any kind of item.
Instructions
1. First, you need to make sure you get the correct mailing envelope. The Flat Rate mailer is a cardboard envelope, measuring 12.5 inches x 9.5 inches. (It is not the larger Tyvek envelope used for Priority Mail.) These envelopes are free and can be picked up at any post office where the shipping supplies are located, or ordered online through the USPS website.
2. You may put any type of item in the Flat Rate envelope, but there are a few rules you must follow. The envelope may not be modified in any way - either cut apart, two envelopes taped together, reshaped, etc. The adhesive strip closure across the top must close securely on its own. You may not use tape, staples, or any other method to secure the envelope closed. The contents must be entirely confined within the envelope.
3. The cost to send a Flat Rate envelope to a US address is $4.95 before adding Delivery Confirmation, insurance, or any other options. There is no weight limit when shipping a USPS Flat Rate envelope within the United States. You can put 25 pounds of material in the mailer, and the cost to ship it domestically is still only $4.95.
4. The cost to send a Flat Rate envelope to most countries outside of the USA is $12.95 (before adding tracking, insurance, etc.) Canada and Mexico are a bit cheaper. The weight limit for international shipments is 4 pounds. If you are shipping internationally and the items will fit into a Flat Rate mailer, and weigh between 1 and 4 pounds, the Flat Rate mailer is definitely the most economical option.
5. Anything (allowed by the post office) may be shipped inside these cardboard envelopes. For example you can ship clothing, health and beauty products, jewelry, books, grocery items, school supplies, office supplies, and bulk fabric. If you are an online seller, these Flat Rate envelopes can really save your customers money on shipping. Furthermore, since the envelopes are free, you can save money on shipping supplies, too!
6. At home online postage services may be used to print postage for Flat Rate mailers. Just choose the Flat Rate envelope option, enter the address, enter the weight, and print your label.
7. For more details on using USPS Flat Rate envelopes, see the resources below for a short demonstration video, a link to order shipping supplies online, and a free trial for an online postage service.
Tags: Flat Rate, Flat Rate envelope, Rate envelope, Flat Rate mailer, Rate mailer
