When it comes to shipping any item, the last thing you want to do is be spending hefty fees just for the box or envelope. This is because, on top of the potential costs for your box/envelope, you still have to pay to actually ship the items. Yet, USPS offers free boxes and envelopes for free. And, the best part is, you don’t even have to leave your house to have these free packaging supplies delivered straight to your home. Although not all types of USPS boxes and envelopes are free, the Priority mail packaging mail options that are free provide a helpful way to cut shipping costs.

What USPS Boxes and Envelopes Are Free?

All USPS Priority Mail boxes and envelopes are completely FREE.

This is not to be confused with USPS’s ReadyPost boxes and envelopes which you have to buy.

To be clear, not all USPS boxes and envelopes are free, just their Priority Mail packaging.

Where Can I Get Them?

You can get USPS Priority mail packaging (again… all for FREE) either by ordering them online at USPS.com or at your local USPS store or Post Office.

See Also: How Late Does USPS Deliver? Here’s the Dealio

Can I Order USPS Packaging Online?

Yes.

You can order all sorts of USPS packaging supplies online at USPS.com.

To order USPS packaging online, follow these easy steps:

1. Go to USPS.com.
2. Navigate to the tab labeled “Shop”.
3. Click on the “Shipping Supplies” tab.
4. Select the packaging options you want to order and checkout.

Again, not all shipping supplies are free. ONLY Priority mail packaging is free.

Why Does USPS Provide Free Packaging?

USPS offers free packaging mainly to help business owners offset costs when it comes to shipping their products.

For instance, popular sites that require shipping like Poshmark allow you to print out a pre-paid shipping label that you can then attach to Priority mail packaging that you can seamlessly send to your customers if you have a stockpile of free Priority boxes and envelopes.

Are Priority Mail Boxes and Envelopes Free?

Yes.

All Priority mail packaging is currently completely free.

What Does “Priority Mail” Even Mean?

Priority mail is an affordable, fast way to ship envelopes or packages up to 70 lbs.

Often, it can take only 1-3 business days for a Priority mail package to reach its destination.

See Also: Does USPS Deliver on Sunday? Answer? It’s Complicated

What USPS Envelope Sizes Are Free?

All Priority mail USPS envelopes are free.

Specific USPS Priority mail envelope sizes include:

• Gift Card Envelope: 10” x 7”
• Flat Rate Envelope: 12 ½” x 9 ½”
• Legal Flat Rate Envelope: 15” x 9 ½”
• Padded Flat Rate Envelope: 12 ½” x 9 ½”
• …and more.

Check out USPS.com to see all the free Priority mail envelope sizes you can get.

What USPS Box Sizes Are Free?

All Priority mail USPS boxes are free.

Specific USPS Priority mail boxes sizes include:

• Small Flat Rate Box-8 5/8″ x 5 3/8″ x 1 5/8″
• Medium Flat Rate Box – 1 (top-loading): 11″ x 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″
• Medium Flat Rate Box – 2 (side-loading): 13 5/8″ x 11 7/8″ x 3 3/8″
• Large Flat Rate Box: 12″ x 12″ x 5 1/2″
• Priority Mail Shoe Box: 7 1/2″ x 5 1/8″ x 14 3/8″
• Priority Mail Box – 7: 12″ x 12″ x 8″
• Priority Mail Box – 1092: 12 1/8″ x 13 3/8″ x 2 3/4″
• Priority Mail Box – 1096L: 9 1/4″ x 6 1/4″ x 2″
• Priority Mail Box – 1095: 15 1/4″ x 12 3/8″ x 2 3/8″
• Priority Mail Box – 1097: 11 1/2″ x 13 1/8″ x 2 3/8″
• Priority Mail DVD Box: 7 9/16″ x 5 7/16″ x 5/8″
• Priority Mail Box – 4: 7″ x 7″ x 6″
• …and more.

Check out USPS.com to see all the free Priority mail box sizes available.

See Also: What the Heck is a FedEx Shipment Exception? + How to Avoid It

Can I Wrap Free Boxes With Plain Paper and Use Them As Non-Priority Mail?

A clever hack is to use free USPS Priority boxes for shipping “non-priority mail” by wrapping your packaging in plain paper.

Although USPS does discourage doing this as the paper can tear and rip during transportation, this hack can come in handy if you are limited on supplies or looking to save money.

Does UPS Also Provide Free Boxes and Envelopes?

Yes.

Not to be confused with USPS, UPS also provides free boxes and envelopes for standard packaging sizes.

These boxes are typically specific sizes only and often require Express delivery.

If you are looking to ship a large item, expect to pay additional fees for this type of packaging at UPS.

Also, consider using an UPS Access Point to keep your packages safe and maybe even safe on shipping costs.

Ask the Reader: Other than getting free boxes from the USPS, what’s your favorite way to save money on shipping charges?

By Kyle James