Talking Points: Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box

The new, larger box enables customers to ship 50 percent more than the current box. There will be a special version of the box for the military, and there is a $2.00 discount when either box is shipped to an APO/FPO address.

Note: There are two versions of the flat-rate box: the Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box and the APO/FPO Flat-Rate Box. Both are acceptable for domestic shipments, but it is intended that the APO/FPO Box be used for APO/FPO addresses. However, retail employees will not refuse these boxes if presented at retail counters for non-APO/FPO addresses.

Here are some features of the new box:

• The box may be used for either domestic or international shipments:
• Domestic shipments using the new box are priced at $12.95.
• Shipments to APO/FPO addresses using the new box are priced at $10.95.
• Shipments to Canada and Mexico using the new box are priced at $29.95.
• International shipments to the rest of the world using the new box are priced at $49.95.
• A 5-percent discount applies for international ship­ments when postage is purchased online.
• There is a 70-pound weight limit to domestic addresses. There is a 20-pound weight limit on shipments to international destinations.

The original Priority Mail Flat-Rate Boxes priced at $8.95 (domestic) and internationally for $23.00 to Canada and Mexica, and $37.00 to other countries will continue to be offered.

Customers may order boxes from The Postal Store, at www.usps.com, and by calling 800-610-8734 beginning February 20, 2008, but shipping at the new rates cannot begin until March 3, 2008.