The US is split into 8 zones, with outlying US territories making up the 9th zone. The zones vary according to where you are, with low number zones being the closest areas, and high numbers being the furthest from you. Zoned shipping is what most shipping relies upon, and it means that the cost of a package depends upon the weight of the package and how far it is traveling.

You can simplify your whole shipping calculation by using the Flat Rate boxes. All you need to do is work out what size box your item requires, fill it, and ship it. This takes away some major headaches when it comes to trying to work out the best shipping methods, especially for businesses that may need to mail items to various parts of the country. That means you can easily predict the shipping costs and you don’t need to spend time calculating them according to these changing variables. It will also cost the same whether you are mailing a box of feathers or a box of lead (provided that the box size is the same). Both businesses and individuals can benefit from this kind of mailing service, and it also makes calculating shipping rates much easier.Ī Flat Rate box will cost the same whether you are sending it next door or across the country. FedEx’s service is called Flat-Rate, but UPS’s is referred to as Simple Rate. Regardless of the name, this is a very popular service that many people make use of when sending mail, and it can save you a lot of money on certain items. It is important to look into Flat Rate shipping if you are mailing items over long distances and you want to keep your prices low. Some other couriers, such as FedEx and UPS, also have versions of Flat Rate shipping. Make sure you always compare it with zoned shipping to get the best prices.įlat Rate shipping is a service provided by USPS for customers that want to send their items according to their size, rather than their weight and destination. However, it may be more expensive if you are sending light items locally.

It is charged by size, not weight or zone, so it makes it cheaper to send these items. There’s a lot to learn about using Flat Rate shipping and when it is and is not economical, so let’s find out more! Flat Rate shipping is ideal if you are sending heavy items or items that need to travel long distances. If you are shipping a lot of packages over long distances within the US or internationally, you might be wondering whether Flat Rate shipping is the right service for your needs.

Flat rate shipping boxes sizes