Usps shipping options
Hi can somebody help me here! When I want to ship item with USPS thru amazon for FBM orders, amzon gives me multiple options for different priority mailings with a bunch having same day arrival. Which am I supposed to pick, priority mail cubic, priority mail, etc… Can I just pick the cheapest or is there guidelines. I put in the weight and measurements and still get all the options. Does that mean they are all okay?
Usps shipping options
Hi can somebody help me here! When I want to ship item with USPS thru amazon for FBM orders, amzon gives me multiple options for different priority mailings with a bunch having same day arrival. Which am I supposed to pick, priority mail cubic, priority mail, etc… Can I just pick the cheapest or is there guidelines. I put in the weight and measurements and still get all the options. Does that mean they are all okay?
23 respostas
Seller_pBEwo8CxxHc63
You choose the best option for you. There is no requirement
Seller_T5Mv3ZCUSh7Zl
No, you can’t select media mail.
Seller_8heIxAf1mLwgp
usually you can select the cheapest.
if you ship books and pick “bound printed matter” they might be disposed of if they can’t be delivered. undelivered “media mail” would be returned to you, possibly with return postage due.
Priority mail is faster and includes insurance.
Seller_YZwgKNAjeXvXR
Yes! And Yes! All depends on various factors. Is the customer requesting standard or expedited delivery? Depending on that answer, which service offers you what you need that fits the delivery window? If USPS is offering three services that get the product there all at the same time, by all means pick the cheapest one. Media mail service is for, well, media. Do NOT use it for something else, they check sometimes. Also, I always equate Media Mail to snail mail. But it’s cheap. Purchase the cheapest by all means, but make sure you will be within the shipping window.
Seller_soWtRLc26XZka
Keep in mind that just because Amazon shows estimated delivery dates on the various shipping options does not mean those estimates are accurate. As you ship more and more, you should become familiar with how fast your shipments travel from your particular location, via different methods, and to which destinations. That will assist you in choosing services and carriers. For example, some sellers have more efficient post offices than others, and some destinations are just more difficult to get to for carriers.
There are a lot of variables., such as what are you shipping? How big is it? How fast do you need it to get there? Do you have the proper USPS packaging on hand, i.e. flat rate envelopes or boxes?
Ostensibly, all Priority Mail should travel at the same rate, regardless of packaging, but that’s not necessarily true. For example, in my experience, the larger the parcel, the more time it takes to arrive. In general, choose the smallest packaging in which you can pack your product securely, and then choose the least expensive shipping option that you are confident will meet your delivery promise to your customer. Ultimately, you must also decide for yourself which carriers you trust.
Seller_hA060q8nqygew
When I want to ship item with USPS thru amazon for FBM orders, amzon gives me multiple options for different priority mailings with a bunch having same day arrival.
It doesn’t seem that anybody answered your specific questions, so…
Can I just pick the cheapest or is there guidelines.
There are guidelines for each type. Do not just randomly pick one.
First of all, standard priority mail costs more based on (1) size, (2) weight, and (3) distance. Bigger, heavier, and farther all cost more.
However, there are several types of “flat rate” priority mail packaging, that cost one flat rate to ship regardless of weight and distance, but to get the ‘flat rate’, you have to use the specific ‘flat rate’ package that is provided by USPS.
The various flat-rate options include:
- Flat-rate envelope
- Flat-rate legal envelope
- Flat-rate padded envelope
- Flat-rate small box
- Flat-rate medium box
- Flat-rate large box
- Flat-rate regional boxes (assorted types)
To qualify to pay the flat rate for the package type in question, your item must be shipped in that particular package type.
Here are samples of some of the boxes/envelopes. You can order them free online at the USPS website or pick up certain types for free at your local post office.
Here is a sample of the various rates for the various box/envelope types. Details below the image.
The ‘flat rate’ services should be self explanatory. You must use the specific flat-rate box or envelope identified to ship your product to qualify for that rate.
When it says simply “Priority Mail” that is the full rate that’s determined by size, weight, and distance.
“Cubic” priority mail is not a flat-rate service, but it is a discounted one, if your package qualifies. Cubic rates apply to packages that meet certain cubic capacity guidelines, so the smaller the package, the better the odds it qualifies for cubic pricing, which costs less than the standard priority mail weights, but is not a flat-rate service.
Where Amazon notates ‘USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Box’ this means a Medium flat-rate box, not sure why they choose to leave that word out, but that’s what it means.
Supposedly, Amazon only offers services that your package will actually fit in, but it seems to make the calculations based solely on cubic inches and without regard for the product’s actual physical dimensions. I’m frequently offered the FR envelope when my item wouldn’t fit in it. 
Which am I supposed to pick, priority mail cubic, priority mail, etc…
You pick the one that matches the packaging you’re going to use. If your item fits in a standard FR envelope, that’s the least expensive PM cost, so you’ll probably pick that. But if your item doesn’t fit in that particular envelope, then you can’t pick it.
You will probably pick the least expensive option in which you can physically ship your product. Choosing an inexpensive option and then shipping your package using a different service is a federal crime, so don’t do that. If you buy a label priced on using a Medium Flat Rate Box, you must ship your item in a Medium Flat Rate Box.
If you don’t… USPS will adjust your account and charge you the amount you were required to pay, based on the packaging you used.
Both weight-based services, standard PM and PM cubic, allow you to use any packaging you desire, either your own box/envelope or one of the free, non flat-rate ones provided by USPS.
Fred_Amazon
Thank you for posting in the forums, @BEZH. I am happy to see you have received some very helpful responses to your question! Please consider marking the solution so other sellers can more easily benefit from the information. Let me know if you need any help with this.
