Weight limit for USPS flat rate boxes?

[Dan Seaver]

Is there a weight limit for flat rate boxes when shipped inside the US (not including Hawaii and Alaska)? I'm asking because I'm working on getting a definite shipped price for a certain product. I'm planning on 100lb per box but could fit as much as 230lb.

Anyways thanks for the help.
-Dan

 

[greatlakeswaterjet]

Dan, 70 lbs. is in CONUS. 20lbs. for outside the states.

 

[Dan Seaver]

Thanks! I thought it was 70 but their site said "regardless of weight".

Thanks for clearing that up.

-Dan

 

[go mike]

I'm pretty sure it's only 70 pounds for regular priority mail service, but flat rate boxes could be any weight. Unless it's any weight under 70 pounds.

 

[go mike]

Okay USPS says 70 pound limit.

http://www.usps.com/shipping/prioritymail.htm

Restrictions
Contents must reasonably fit within the Priority Mail packaging, and weigh less than 70 pounds.

 

[Don Hanson III]

Well, I've pretty much abused the Flat rate service, with close to 800 boxes of W2.
And only one lost box! Bunch overseas too.

70 lb max, including Alaska and Hawaii. But I highly advise not to put 70 lbs in a box.

First, the cardboard box will not survive the trip.

Second, it might piss off a postal employee and cause your box to disappear.

I ship 40 to 45 lbs in Flat rate boxes with little to no trouble. 50 lb+ caused me probs in the past.

 

[go mike]

One more thing about flat rate: Create an account at USPS.com and you can print your labels and you get free delivery confirmation (helps a lot with disputes) and it's a little cheaper per package.

Also, less trips to the post office. Just print and put it in your mailbox, but if it's too big for your mailbox, request a pickup on the site, and your mail carrier can come to your door and get the package.

One more thing: The boxes are free.

 

[Phil Dwyer]

This is the best deal going for shipping that's for sure. Being in Hawaii I have taken advantage of it numerous times getting steel and stuff sent over to us. I think the heaviest one I've received was 67 lbs of steel from Karl Anderson. Jim Todd's G11 adds up too. Yup, 70 lbs is the limit.

Your best bet, to be assured of the package surviving the weight, is to make a wood liner to slip in the box. Every one I received like that was in fine shape. Many of them that were not were in horrible shape. Some were delayed for lengthy periods and heavily taped back together by USPS. One or two never made it. The worst were ones just stuffed full of loose railroad spikes banging and clanging around. The shifty loads were, of course, no good for the thin cardboard.