Reduced shipping cost is certainly a point of attraction for online buyers. Imagine if your eCommerce business is able to offer the most affordable shipping rate to your customers without affecting the profit margin, how beneficial it could be? There are sure possibilities for a boost in sales. With USPS flat rate shipping, you can improve the shopping experience of your customers.
What is flat rate shipping?
The USPS – United States Postal Service charges a single rate for shipping any package to the destination. No matter what is the size (weight) of the package, the cost remains the same. It actually, works as a great marketing tool to attract customers to purchase as much as they want without worrying about the shipping cost. The USPS is the first to start with flat rate shipping. They offer 1 to 3 days of delivery.
Why flat rate shipping is beneficial for eCommerce business?
Since it is one rate shipping, this concept is sure to appeal startups as well as full-fledged eCommerce stores. Flat rate shipping is actually the best alternative for stores selling smaller items or brands with self fulfill orders.
Shipping is certainly a hurdle for eCommerce businesses. Online stores need to pay the utmost attention to shipping and logistic expenses. USPS is an expert is delivering packages across countries for many years. It has fortunately helped many eCommerce businesses to enhance their customers’ shopping experiences.
How does Flat rate shipping works?
The shipping cost which is not based on the weight, size, and shape of products/goods is termed as flat-rate. So if you want to incorporate flat rate shipping in your eCommerce business, then follow these simple steps:
Use USPS flat rate box
Instead of using your own box for packing the products, you can use the USPS flat rate box which will be available in any of the local USPS offices. Small, medium, or large, get any size box as per your requirement. Every box size is priced differently. Remember, the maximum package weight allowed in 70 lbs.
Address the box
After packing the items in the USPS flat rate box, make sure to put the address where the package needs to be delivered.
Shipping the package
Bring your shipping package to the USPS office and use the priority mail to ship the box.
This way many eCommerce businesses, delivery problems are solved and even their costs are cut-down.
Note – The following products cannot be shipped using USPS priority mail service:
Alcohol, Explosives, Gasoline, Airbags, Ammunition, Marijuana etc.
Benefits of flat rate shipping
Most of the small businesses running eCommerce stores can benefit from flat rate shipping as they mostly pack the items themselves and also head to the post office to ship the items. USPS offers some great advantages to the eCommerce business which are:
Free packing boxes and envelopes – USPS benefits eCommerce businesses by offering free packing boxes. Merchants and retailers can start shipping without paying anything. However, for product safety, the cushioning material cost and all should be borne by the retailers/merchants. But that does not cost much, so you are assured with huge savings.
No surcharges – No additional surcharge on the shipment. As compared to other reputed courier services, USPS does not add surcharges on any shipment for residential, fuel, or Saturday delivery. So not paying extra bucks is the big relief for online store owners.
Priority delivery – Since USPS flat rate boxes are delivered using Priority Mail, it ensures delivery of packages within two to three days. Priority mail also handles fragile items with extra care and safety.
No surprise cost – The shipping cost is accurate as expected. Usually, the package shipping cost exceeds as per the online retailers’ expectations but not in case of USPS flat rate shipping. The cost is already known and remains the same.
Delivers country-wide – Every corner of the country is covered. Unlike other courier services, The USPS delivers the shipment to almost every address that includes all the post office boxes, government addresses like the army post office, airport post office, US embassies post office, and more.
Guaranteed security – No other courier services are authorized to deliver shipments in mailboxes. USPS is the only one that delivers packages in mailboxes. It doe not leave the package at the customer’s porch if he/she is not at home. This courier service manages security and strives to re-deliver the package instead of abandoning it.
Protected under law enforcement – What more can you expect! The flat rate shipments by USPS are protected under US federal law enforcement. So the security and protection of the package are amplified. The shipping process becomes reliable by eliminating the possibilities of theft or fraud.
Easy shipping – As mentioned above (in ‘How does Flat rate shipping works’ section), you just have to follow the simple steps and experience the ease of shipping.
When you should avoid flat rate shipping?
Unfortunately, not all businesses can take advantage of flat-rate shipment services. As a retailer, you can be enticed by so many plus points but just because it is beneficial for you, doesn’t mean it will be beneficial for your customers.
Customers who are overseas may have to pay additional costs upon the delivery which can certainly have a negative impact. Another flipside of flat rate shipping is that it can turn out to be actually expensive if you are shipping lightweight packages.
USPS flat rate shipping prices
Now let’s come to the pricing aspect. The USPS offers a variety of flat-rate shipping options. There are 3 tiers of pricing for each flat rate shipping box or envelope. The price is also dependent on the size of the box.
| Flat rate box | Commercial base price | Price at post office | Dimensions |
| Flat Rate Envelope | $6.95 | $7.35 | 12 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ |
| Small Flat Rate Box | $7.50 | $7.90 | 8 11/16″ x 5 7/16″ x 1 3/4″ |
| Medium Flat Rate Box – 1 (top loading) | $12.80 | $14.35 | 11 1/4″ x 8 3/4″ x 6″ |
| Medium Flat Rate Box – 2 (side-loading) | $12.80 | $14.35 | 14″ x 12″ x 3 1/2″ |
| Large Flat Rate Box | $17.60 | $19.95 | 12 1/4″ x 12 1/4″ x 6″ |
Conclusion
Every business’s ultimate goal is to make money and eCommerce being a competitive market space, it becomes really significant to attract more customers and keep the cash flowing. The fast and reliable flat rate shipping comes up as a great alternative for these online commercial businesses. With USPS flat rate shipping, eCommerce businesses can preserve profit margins and also potentially improve the customer experience.
