New U.S. Postal Service Rates

[poplar1]

USPS (post office) raised rates on Jan. 26. Here is the link to the rate table for both domestic and international shipments:

http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm#1152660

You can print out a zone chart by entering the first three digits of your zip code here:

http://postcalc.usps.com/ZoneCharts/Default.aspx

Examples:
For a 5-pound telephone:

Priority Mail:                                                                            Standard Post:

Local, Zone 1, 2... $ 8.70                                                              N/A
Zone 3.........10.05                                                                       N/A
Zone 4.........11.35                                                                       N/A
Zone 5.........15.80*...................................................................11.37                                                                   
Zone 6.........17.35*.................................................................. 12.36*
Zone 7.........18.70*...................................................................13.34*
Zone 8.........21.00*...................................................................14.33*
Zone 9.........25.20*...................................................................14.33*

*Cheaper to use a medium flat rate box---$12.35

Large flat rate box is $17.45

============================================================

You can use 1stClass Parcel Rate for packages 13 ounces or less.

First Class Package is $2.32 (up to 3 oz.) up to $4.12 (13 oz.)

Over 13 ounces:
Minimum for 1 lb. priority mail is $5.60 (Local) up to $8.35 (Zone 9)
Minimum for 1 lb. standard post is $5.87 (Zone 5) up to $6.73 (Zone 9)
Small flat rate priority box: $5.80

============================================================

It is cheaper to use a flat rate priority medium box compared to weighed priority mail except as follows:
Local, Zone 1 & 2:  9 lbs. or less 
Zone 3:  7 lbs. or less 
Zone 4:  5 lbs. or less 
Zone 5 & 6:  3 lbs. or less
Zone 7 & 8:  2 lbs. or less
Zone 9: 1 lb. or less 

=======================================================================

Standard Post is still cheaper (but probably slower) than a flat rate medium box ($12.35) for the following:

Zone 5: 5 lbs. or less
Zone 6 & 7: 4 lbs. or less
Zone 8 & 9: 2 lbs. or less

[dencins]

Other USPS option...

If you use the online Click-n-Ship to create the label you get reduced rates.  For example the Priority Medium Flat Rate Box that is listed as $12.35 would be $11.30 using Click-n-Ship.  You can pay the Click-n-Ship postage with PayPal or a Credit Card.  You can schedule a pick-up at your house for Priority and Express mail using Click-n-Ship. 

Another option is to use Regional Priority Flat Rate boxes.  You need to check where it is going and if it is more than 5 zones away it becomes more expensive.   

Priority Mail - Regional Rate Boxes               FINAL      10.28.13   Pg. 10
                        
Boxes      Zones
        L, 1 & 2    Zone 3     zone 4     Zone 5     Zone 6     Zone 7     Zone 8     Zone 9
A      5.32         5.44         5.84         7.55         8.26         8.98         8.97         11.96
B      6.16         7.25         8.10         10.66       13.37       14.42       16.28       19.53
C      15.25       19.89       23.62       33.03       37.38       40.89       47.43       57.39
                        
Additional fee if deposited at Retail            0.75

You save the $0.75 "Additional fee if deposited at Retail" by having USPS pick it up.  The $0.75 is if you bring it to the Post Office.  Using Click-n-Ship pick-up scheduling gets the box picked up and saves the $0.75.

A Box (10" x 7" x 4-3/4") is larger than a Small Flat Rate Box (8-5/8" x 5-3/8" x 1-5/8").
B box (12" x 10-1/4"x 5") is a little larger than a Medium Flat Rate Box (11" x 8-1/2"x 5-1/2").
C Box (14-3/4" x 11-3/4" x 11-1/2") is a lot bigger than a Large Flat Rate Box (12" x 12" x 5-1/2").

The only way to get the Regional Boxes is to order them online from USPS.  There is no charge for the boxes.  USPS delivers the boxes to my house at no cost.            

Dennis Hallworth

[poplar1]

International--Priority Mail:
Medium flat rate box (up to 20 lbs.)= Canada: $42.25  All other countries    $61.75
Large flat rate box (up to 20 lbs.)                     55.75 

By weight:                                         Canada:            Mexico:             UK:              Germany  Netherlands

1 lb.                                                  29.25                34.25               43.50             36.25       36.25
5 lb.                                                  38.65                47.10               59.30             48.45       49.25
10 lb.                                                50.90                59.35               74.55             62.70        62.50
20 lb.                                                76.40                79.85              103.05             83.20       86.00       

First Class International for up to 4 lbs. may be cheaper

[Sargeguy]

I like those Regional Rate boxes

[poplar1]

Did the post office discontinue Regional Flat Rate boxes? I don't see them as an option either on the eBay label printing page for shipping asold item, or on the usps website, even when I've signed in to my usps account. In fact, the web pages of both have been changed. The USPS calculator no longer includes the weight and destination once it shows the calculated cost. Of course, USPS still shows as default the most expensive method -- priority express. There is also now a new option: parcel select, whatever that means.

EDIT:
It seems to be working now; the "print label" function for a sold item in "my eBay" is back to normal on seller's page. As before, if you "compare services", you get the Regional A and B boxes (but still no C).

On the USPS site, even though the appearance has changed, the key is that you have to first enter a "positive weight" for the package. Then, the regional A, B, and C flat rate boxes are one of the choices. If instead you pick "flat rate" on the first menu, without entering the weight, the only choices are the standard flat rate boxes that are the same price regardless of destination.

So, apparently it's still not possible to print eBay shipping service labels for regional C boxes, or for first class letter rate ($0.49).

[wds]

I use the regional rate box A & B all the time.  Those boxes are kind of a mystery to me, but the rates can be better than the medium or large flat rate boxes.  I think they can be used only in certain postal areas?

[poplar1]

They can be used to ship to any zone, but they are most cost effective forum to zone 4.