Mr. Zip’s Tip:
USPS forwards 2 billion pieces of
mail each year at no additional
charge to the customer.

It’s all in the box: the Priority Mail flat-rate box from the U.S. Postal Service. Priority Mail flat-rate boxes are the best value in the shipping market. They have grown in popularity since first introduced in 2004. The Postal Service has produced a special edition of the large flat-rate box co-branded with the America Supports You logo.

That’s the simplicity of shipping with a Priority Mail Flat-rate box. Everything you need for a special occasion or care package to a loved one will fit perfectly in one of four different sized boxes available—and will ship for one flat price no matter the weight or destination.

Whatever the occasion, it’s all in the box. With a range of boxes to choose from, customer can find the right sized package to meet their needs. And with one flat rate, the price of Priority Mail flat-rate shipping is always right, too.

Priority Mail flat-rate packages arrive in an average of 2-3 days. Saturday and residential deliveries are included at no extra cost.

The four Priority Mail flat-rate box configurations are the small box, about the size of three stacked DVDs; the medium box, similar in size and shape to a shoe box; the medium box, similar to a flat clothing box; and the large box, with 50 percent more space inside than the medium box.

Prices and measurements include the following:

• Small flat-rate box, 8 5/8 x 5 3/8 x 1 5/8, $4.95, online $4.80
• Medium flat-rate box, 11 x 8 1/2 x 5 1/2, $10.35, online $9.85
• Medium flat-rate box, 13 5/8 x 11 7/8 x 3 3/8, $10.35, online $9.85
• Large flat-rate box, 12 1/4 x 12 1/4 x 6, $13.95, online $13.50

As indicated, customers who pay for the shipping of their Priority Mail flat-rate boxes online at www.usps.com receive a discount.

There is also a special $2 discount for the Priority Mail large flat-rate box when shipped to military APO/FPO addresses. The lower price shows support for American troops, making it more cost-effective for family and friends to send shipments to those in the service.

Customers may not alter the flat-rate boxes to accommodate larger items. The box flaps must be able to close within the normal folds. Customers may apply tape to the flap or seams to reinforce the box, but they cannot enlarge the box design by opening the sides and taping or reconstructing the box in any way.

Delivery Confirmation service and all other special services available for Priority Mail service are available for Priority Mail flat-rate boxes. Fees for any special services, if purchased, are in addition to the flat-rate postage price. Delivery Confirmation service is provided at no extra charge when Priority Mail flat-rate box postage is purchased online. Insurance may be purchased online for coverage up to $500. Customers may request a free package pick-up for all Priority Mail shipments.

Customers may obtain Priority Mail flat-rate boxes by ordering them at www.usps.com, under “Order Supplies,” or by calling 800-610-8734. The boxes are free, available in packs of 10 or 25, and will be delivered right to the customer’s home or business.

To schedule a presentation for our community, club or group on how the Postal Service brings the Post Office to your home or office computer, call 239-573-9638.

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Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/welcome.htm.

An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 149 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes, six days a week. It has 34,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services, not tax dollars, to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.