Items like posters, blueprints and important documents etc. will sometimes need to be rolled and packed into a triangular shipping tube.  These are a great option if you need a space-saving mailer that won’t roll around – but how do you add postage to them using Stamps.com?

Selecting USPS Triangular Tubes In Stamps.com
Like traditional tubes, you don’t need to look for a separate mailpiece type called “Tubes” from the drop-down Mail Class/Mailpiece menus.  When mailing triangular tubes, select “Packages” as your mailpiece type.  With Stamps.com, you can ship these at a First Class Package Rate.  As of January 17, 2016, you can create postage for First Class Packages weighing up to 15.999 ounces (13 ounces was the former maximum weight for First Class Packages).

How To Measure Your Triangular Tube
If you need your triangular tube package delivered quickly, you may want to select Priority Mail instead of First Class Package Service.  Since Priority Mail rates are based on zones, for certain zip codes you will have to enter the dimensions of your tube in order to obtain the correct rate.

You’ll have to know the length, width, and height of your triangular tube.

– Length –this is the longest side of your mailpiece.
– Width –this is the base of your triangle.
– Height – if your triangular tube is resting on the ground or a table, how many inches off the ground is it?

Girth:  What It Is and Why It Is Important For Your Triangular Tube
If you regularly ship triangular tubes, we also recommend knowing the girth of your mailpieces.  You can find out the girth by adding the three smaller sides of your triangle, so if each side is 5 inches, the girth will be 15 inches.

Why is knowing girth important?  This is because the USPS uses the total size to determine whether your tube is a Package, Large Package or Oversized Package.  The total size is: Length + Girth.

– Package: Total Size less than or equal to 84″
– Large Package: Total Size greater than 84″ but less than or equal to 108″
– Oversized Package: Total Size greater than 108″ but less than or equal to 130″

Get Free USPS Priority Mail Triangular Tubes
If you’re ready to ship off your blueprints and charts, you can certainly use your own supplies with Stamps.com.  We also offer Priority and Priority Mail Triangular Tubes that you can order for free from us!  These help the USPS identify the mail class you are using for your package.  Just remember that these are not Flat Rate mailpieces.  You would still need to select “Packages” as your mailpiece.

To order free USPS tube packaging, log in to your software and click on “Online Store,” which appears beneath “Buy Supplies.”   Two types of free tubes are available in the section called “Free USPS Supplies.”

Gifts and merchandise come in all different shapes and sizes, and often times a USPS tube is the best option for shipping items like fishing poles, posters and prints, telescopes, and golf clubs.  The USPS provides two free packaging options for mailing tubes being shipped with Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express.  While you will need to use your own packaging, First Class Package Service is also a great low-cost alternative to ship tubes as long as your package weight is less than 15.999 oz.

Selecting USPS Mailing Tubes In Stamps.com

Shipping USPS tubes using Stamps.com is easy!  The first thing to know is that you don’t need to look for a separate mailpiece type called “Tubes” from the drop-down Mail Class/Mailpiece menus.  When mailing tubes, you can select “Packages” as your mailpiece type.  Priority Mail is a great option for shipping tubes with costs ranging from $5.05 to $144.82 for all 9 shipping zones and package weights of up to 70 lbs.

Get Free USPS Priority Mail Tubes

There is no USPS flat rate for tubes, and no special flat rate packaging for tubes.  However, the USPS does offer free non-flat rate packaging for your tubes.  Ordering this packaging is convenient within the Stamps.com software.   You can also use your own packaging, but to order free USPS tube packaging, log in to your software and click on “Online Store,” which appears beneath “Buy Supplies.”   Two types of free tubes are available in the section called “Free USPS Supplies”:

– Dual-Use Priority Mail/Priority Mail Express Small Tube (25″ x 6″ x 6″ x 5-7/8″)
– Dual-Use Priority Mail/Priority Mail Express Medium Tube (37-11/16″ x 6-1/8″ x 5-1/8″ x 5-1/16″)

Package Tracking For USPS Mailing Tubes

Need tracking?  Not to worry.  The barcoded shipping label for your tube (which you can wrap around the tube as long as you don’t cover the barcode), includes built-in tracking for your package.

Important Tips For USPS Mailing Tubes

– You can send tubes by First Class Package Service, as long as the tube’s weight is less than 15.999 oz.

– Since Priority Mail is zone-based pricing, for certain zip codes you will have to enter the dimensions of your tube in order to obtain the correct rate.

– To create an International shipping label for a tube, click on the International tab and select “Package” as your mailpiece.

– Tape each end of the tube with clear packing tape to reinforce and seal its seams.