With Dimensional (DIM) Weight being applied for all UPS and FedEx Ground packages, USPS Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes provide a cost effective option to ship products across the U.S.  The USPS provides three different types of Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes:  Box A with a weight limit of 15 lbs., Box B with a weight limit of 20 lbs. and Box C with a weight limit of 25 lbs.

The Benefits of Regional Rate Boxes

There are many advantages to using USPS Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes:

– No DIM Weight: DIM Weight does not apply to Regional Rate Boxes.  That means you need not worry about the dimensions of the Regional Rate box you choose.  As long as your item is below the weight limit for the Regional Rate Box you choose, you simply need to find the rate that applies to your shipping zone. 

Listed below is the 2015 USPS Commercial Base (online postage) pricing for Regional Rate Boxes.  An additional $0.75 fee applies if you purchase Regional Rate postage at the Post Office.

– Low Costs Nationwide: Regional Rate Boxes provide a cost effective alternative to using Regular Priority Mail or Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes.  With dimensions almost similar to that of a Priority Mail Flat Rate Medium Box, Priority Mail Regional Rate Box A can save you up to $3.55 per package.  When shipping multiple packages every day, these savings can really add up!  See a cost savings example below – USPS Priority Mail Regional Rate Box A provides the lowest cost option to ship a 3 lb. package from Los Angeles to New York (Zone 8 shipment).

– No Cost To Purchase Regional Rate Boxes: The USPS provides Regional Rate Boxes for free and you do not need to pay anything extra to use any of these boxes for your shipments.  Pick up your free Regional Rate boxes at the Post Office or visit usps.com to order them online.

Shipping Regional Rate Boxes With Stamps.com

Stamps.com customers can easily print Priority Mail Regional Rate shipping labels.  Once the destination address is inputted, Stamps.com automatically determines the correct zone-based pricing for your package by instantly accessing the USPS database, preventing you from ever overpaying or underpaying the shipping fee.

You can even order your free Regional Rate Boxes from within Stamps.com.  Simply log in to your Stamps.com account, click on “Store” and click on “Free USPS Supplies.”  The USPS will send the free Priority Mail Regional Rate boxes right to your door!

Stamps.com is pleased to announce the launch of Version 8.9 — a free upgrade for Stamps.com customers! Here are some of the key new features included:

#1 Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes
Stamps.com now has  the ability to print shipping labels for Priority Mail Regional Rate Box A and Box B. Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes are a great way for package shippers to lower their costs.  While the name implies short distances, Regional Rate Boxes are actually a great bargain for shipping packages nationwide.

Pricing for Regional Rate Boxes is “zone-based”  – the actual shipping cost will depend on the distance the package is traveling from its origin to the delivery address.   The USPS has established eight total shipping zones throughout the U.S.

Stamps.com automatically determines the correct zone-based pricing for your package.   Once the delivery address is inputted and the Regional Rate Box option has been selected, the software will provide the appropriate Priority Mail postage cost  for Regional Rate Box A or Box B.

#2 APO/FPO Customs Form Support
Stamps.com now offers the ability to electronically complete and print U.S. Customs Forms when printing postage for all applicable military addresses (APO/FPO) and U.S. Territories.

This process is completely automated — once a military or U.S. Territory address has been inputted into the address field, Stamps.com will automatically detect the APO/FPO address and will provide a Customs Form to complete in the Stamps.com interface. Note: This form only supports Priority Mail at this time for APO/FPO addresses.  Also, the “Plain Paper (letter) – 2976A – 3 sheets per label” must be chosen as the Printed On source for the Customs Form to print correctly.

#3 Avery 5160 and Avery 5164 Labels Support
Stamps.com now supports the ability to print postage onto Avery 5160 and 5164 labels. These are the two most popular labels Avery sells and small businesses will now be able to easily print postage for envelopes.

Using the “Envelopes” tab in the navigation, Customers can now print postage on one label and delivery address on a separate Avery 5160 label using their regular ink jet or laser printer.

Avery 5160 Label

For the Avery 5164 label, customers will be able to print postage and delivery address on one single label using their regular ink-jet or laser printer.

Avery 5164 Label

#4 Customized Promo Message in Shipment Notification Emails
Stamps.com now gives customers the ability to customize a default promo message in your shipment notification emails.   The promo text can be used for up-selling or cross-selling your products and will be highlighted with a blue background in the footer of your shipment notification email.  Ideas for promo messages include back-to-school promotions, product closeouts or your company special events.

To update your promo message, go to “My Account” and click on “Ship Notification Email.”

Important! You must download Version 8.9 in order to use these great new features.   Download Version 8.9 today at http://www.stamps.com/download/ – it’s free for existing customers!