USPS Small Flat Rate Box Weight Limit???

1630Boston

There is a 70 pound limit for the small flat rate priority box at USPS.
My question is ....is it possible to put 70 pounds into one of those boxes ?

The box is 8 5/8 x 5 3/8 x 1 5/8 = 72.7 cubic inches.

72.7 ci of the following materials is this many pounds :smile
copper 23.5 pounds
gold 51#
steel 21#
silver 35#
platinum 56#
osmium 59#

How can you put 70 pounds of something into this box ?

JBK

I think the 70 pound limit applies to all Flat Rate boxes, but your example is well taken.

It can bulge a bit, but probably not enough to exceed the limit.

oih82w8

"If it fits...it ships" I believe is their motto.

1630Boston

@JBK said:
I think the 70 pound limit applies to all Flat Rate boxes, but your example is well taken.

It can bulge a bit, but probably not enough to exceed the limit.

I did not realize that, point taken...thanks

ms70

I remember seeing a video (probably here) where some guy tested the USPS by shipping lead cut to the exact size of the box interior. He also shipped some other metal that was heavier than lead as I recall. It was ridiculous watching him trying to move this little box. They shipped it for the flat rate. I did a quick search but I can't find the video.

mvs7

It's all about density. In regard to the weight limit, the prevailing factor is the density of the USPS. They are very dense.

Paradisefound

No wonder they always managed to stay in the red year in / out

@oih82w8 said:
"If it fits...it ships" I believe is their motto.

1630Boston

@ms70 said:
I remember seeing a video (probably here) where some guy tested the USPS by shipping lead cut to the exact size of the box interior. He also shipped some other metal that was heavier than lead as I recall. It was ridiculous watching him trying to move this little box. They shipped it for the flat rate. I did a quick search but I can't find the video.

A "box" of lead would be a little less than 30 pounds.

JBK

Actually, I am sure the Flat Rate boxes are a huge benefit for the USPS. They give you the boxes for free so you will use the premium service, but the reality is that many lighter packages would go cheaper as first class packages. But, since the Flat Rate box/envelope is used, the Priority Mail rate is charged. Of course, on some occasions, heavier objects are cheaper in the Flat Rate boxes vs. plain packaging. It is all about making things as convenient as possible for the customer so that they will go for the sometimes more expensive option.

ms70

@1630Boston said:

A "box" of lead would be a little less than 30 pounds.

Yes, I wish I could find the video. I'd enjoy watching that again. It was hysterical. Hopefully someone else can find it.

illini420

@ms70 said:
I remember seeing a video (probably here) where some guy tested the USPS by shipping lead cut to the exact size of the box interior. He also shipped some other metal that was heavier than lead as I recall. It was ridiculous watching him trying to move this little box. They shipped it for the flat rate. I did a quick search but I can't find the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9034oblVtzc

ms70

Here's someone packing 60lbs of carbide. It's an older video but interesting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8otA-Irnr0M

alohagary

I believe the limit is 70 lbs. Also there are flat rate boxes and priority boxes. One of my shipments was only 4 slabbed coins and very light filling. I thought it would be cheaper sending in the priority box but it was about $2 higher. I think the priority rate is higher than the regular rate.

JBK

@alohagary said:
I believe the limit is 70 lbs. Also there are flat rate boxes and priority boxes. One of my shipments was only 4 slabbed coins and very light filling. I thought it would be cheaper sending in the priority box but it was about $2 higher. I think the priority rate is higher than the regular rate.

Good point - this adds another twist. I think (?) now there are only Flat Rate boxes (Priority or Express mail, but I think it is all called Priority now). Years ago there were non-flat rate PM boxes as well as flat rate PM boxes (flat rate came later). Sometimes the non-flat rate was cheaper (or cheaper still if you used your own brown box and sent as a regular package).

I probably have some of the old non-flat rate boxes around but they either don't exist any more or most PO's don't stock them.

BAJJERFAN

@alohagary said:
I believe the limit is 70 lbs. Also there are flat rate boxes and priority boxes. One of my shipments was only 4 slabbed coins and very light filling. I thought it would be cheaper sending in the priority box but it was about $2 higher. I think the priority rate is higher than the regular rate.

Priority rates kick in at 13+ ounces first class. It doesn't take much to make flat rate the way to go. Since the USPS sometimes likely contracts with UPS they have their own weight limit which is IIRC still 70#.

Regional rate boxes also have weight limits which is 15 pounds.

tommy44

How much would a small flat rate box of kryptonite weigh?

LindeDad

I think it all goes back to the Code of Federal Regulation on what is the maximum weight allowed in a Cardboard box.

airplanenut

@JBK said:

@alohagary said:
I believe the limit is 70 lbs. Also there are flat rate boxes and priority boxes. One of my shipments was only 4 slabbed coins and very light filling. I thought it would be cheaper sending in the priority box but it was about $2 higher. I think the priority rate is higher than the regular rate.

Good point - this adds another twist. I think (?) now there are only Flat Rate boxes (Priority or Express mail, but I think it is all called Priority now). Years ago there were non-flat rate PM boxes as well as flat rate PM boxes (flat rate came later). Sometimes the non-flat rate was cheaper (or cheaper still if you used your own brown box and sent as a regular package).

I probably have some of the old non-flat rate boxes around but they either don't exist any more or most PO's don't stock them.

There are plenty of non-flat-rate boxes, too, but you might not find them as easily at a PO (just like you will rarely if ever find padded flat rate mailers, but you can order them free from the USPS online). And yes, watching people at the PO, it is very common to see people putting light things in flat rate boxes, which should result in a substantial amount of overpayment on their part. But hey, it's convenient.

Smudge

And the boxes keep getting smaller.

drwstr123

"... shrunk by incredibly powerful magnetic fields."

http://www.capturedlightning.com/frames/interesting1.html

Kkathyl

I find it funnier to watch them with the ball bearing in a bag. Its just more complex to carry.

1630Boston

.> @tommy44 said:

How much would a small flat rate box of kryptonite weigh?

Hope this helps

The formula weight is a quantity computed by multiplying the atomic weight (in atomic mass units) of each element in a chemical formula by the number of atoms of that element present in the formula, then adding all of these products together.
A kilogram of Kryptonite, by Earth’s atmospheric standards, is assumed to weigh 1.5 carats on Krypton, making it lighter than a feather on the planet of origin. However, there is a large 51% margin of error, due to the unmeasurable nature of missing Krypton's gravitational pull.

And hear is a coin

JBK

@airplanenut said:
you will rarely if ever find padded flat rate mailers, but you can order them free from the USPS online).

Those things are gold. I did order some myself after the local PO said they weren't allowed to order them, for some reason (they do have some now, however). The PO sells generic padded envelopes and I don't think they wanted to compete with themselves.

RogerB

If the OP will kindly fill a flat rate box with gold and send it to me, I can weigh it and certify it was less than 70 lbs. I will also send the OP a nice "Thank You" card for the gold.

1630Boston

@RogerB said:
If the OP will kindly fill a flat rate box with gold and send it to me, I can weigh it and certify it was less than 70 lbs. I will also send the OP a nice "Thank You" card for the gold.

You may be too trusting that the box will make it through the USPS system and arrive at your door step.

dpoole

You can put heavy stuff in flat rate boxes, but in my experience they bang those things around A LOT. I've had things spill out despite reinforced tape and bubble wrap on a pretty regular basis. Have learned to put "a box inside a box" for the heavier stuff, but of course that's usually impractical for the small PM box.

coinpalice

I saved a lot of money using these over the years

JBK

@1630Boston said:

@RogerB said:
If the OP will kindly fill a flat rate box with gold and send it to me, I can weigh it and certify it was less than 70 lbs. I will also send the OP a nice "Thank You" card for the gold.

You may be too trusting that the box will make it through the USPS system and arrive at your door step.

Or it might get there but the alchemy feature of the USPS packaging will turn the gold into lead by the time it shows up.

northcoin

I am sure a Black Hole would be much heavier than 70 pounds even in the smallest flat rate box.

Some meteorites are extremely heavy and likely would at least approach the 70 pound threshold.

OPA

@BAJJERFAN said:

@alohagary said:
I believe the limit is 70 lbs. Also there are flat rate boxes and priority boxes. One of my shipments was only 4 slabbed coins and very light filling. I thought it would be cheaper sending in the priority box but it was about $2 higher. I think the priority rate is higher than the regular rate.

Priority rates kick in at 13+ ounces first class. It doesn't take much to make flat rate the way to go. Since the USPS sometimes likely contracts with UPS they have their own weight limit which is IIRC still 70#.

Regional rate boxes also have weight limits which is 15 pounds.

Effective with the Jan 2018 rate increase...Priority Rate does not kick in until after 15.999 ounces.

http://blog.stamps.com/2017/10/26/usps-announces-2018-postage-rate-increase

1630Boston

@northcoin said:

Some meteorites are extremely heavy and likely would at least approach the 70 pound threshold.

I am NOT a meteor expert but I believe the heaviest meteorites would approach the density of steel and the maximum that would fit in a small FR box would be Iron meteorites and would be 20 pounds.

ebaytrader

@OPA said:

Effective with the Jan 2018 rate increase...Priority Rate does not kick in until after 15.999 ounces.

http://blog.stamps.com/2017/10/26/usps-announces-2018-postage-rate-increase

That's for commercial accounts, or using a 3rd party vendor like Stamps.com, Paypal, Endicia, etc. Retail cutoff for 1st Class Parcel is still 13.0 ounces.

OPA

@ebaytrader said:

@OPA said:

Effective with the Jan 2018 rate increase...Priority Rate does not kick in until after 15.999 ounces.

http://blog.stamps.com/2017/10/26/usps-announces-2018-postage-rate-increase

That's for commercial accounts, or using a 3rd party vendor like Stamps.com, Paypal, Endicia, etc. Retail cutoff for 1st Class Parcel is still 13.0 ounces.

Does anyone on this forum still use Retail PO parcel rates? Most of us do use a 3d party vendor.

RogerB

Well --- if you want dense material, what about shipping a politician's ego in a flat rate box? USPS could change the name to "DT Express" or something similar

JBK

@OPA said:

Does anyone on this forum still use Retail PO parcel rates? Most of us do use a 3d party vendor.

Of course, when it is cheaper. And, I don't use 3rd party postage - I lick and stick stamps that I buy on eBay at a discount to face value.

Also, to the extent that Priority Mail is the way to go, the flat rate boxes are still more expensive in some cases than a non-flat rate box or plain brown box (although the smallest PM boxes might already be at the base price of PM).

Azurescens

@LindeDad said:
I think it all goes back to the Code of Federal Regulation on what is the maximum weight allowed in a Cardboard box.

Every carrier the USPS contracts out to has 70lb weight limits; DHL, Amazon, FedEx, UPS, etc any company with shipping infrastructure.

Cameonut

FWIW, I believe the 70 lb weight limit comes from Occupational Ergonomics studies for occasional lifting. Does not specify the size of the container, but obviously smaller is more manageable.
IIRC, the limit used to be 100 lb, but with further study it was lowered to 70 lb to help protect workers. Been in place a long time.

BAJJERFAN

@airplanenut said:

@JBK said:

@alohagary said:
I believe the limit is 70 lbs. Also there are flat rate boxes and priority boxes. One of my shipments was only 4 slabbed coins and very light filling. I thought it would be cheaper sending in the priority box but it was about $2 higher. I think the priority rate is higher than the regular rate.

Good point - this adds another twist. I think (?) now there are only Flat Rate boxes (Priority or Express mail, but I think it is all called Priority now). Years ago there were non-flat rate PM boxes as well as flat rate PM boxes (flat rate came later). Sometimes the non-flat rate was cheaper (or cheaper still if you used your own brown box and sent as a regular package).

I probably have some of the old non-flat rate boxes around but they either don't exist any more or most PO's don't stock them.

There are plenty of non-flat-rate boxes, too, but you might not find them as easily at a PO (just like you will rarely if ever find padded flat rate mailers, but you can order them free from the USPS online). And yes, watching people at the PO, it is very common to see people putting light things in flat rate boxes, which should result in a substantial amount of overpayment on their part. But hey, it's convenient.

The people here tell me that they aren't allowed to stock regional rate boxes and certain other packaging. If I have extra of any of that I take it to the post office rather than trash it.

BAJJERFAN

@Cameonut said:
FWIW, I believe the 70 lb weight limit comes from Occupational Ergonomics studies for occasional lifting. Does not specify the size of the container, but obviously smaller is more manageable.
IIRC, the limit used to be 100 lb, but with further study it was lowered to 70 lb to help protect workers. Been in place a long time.

Well you can ship packages up to 150 pounds by UPS.

Azurescens

149lbs or fewer. We aren't allowed to touch any box with higher than 149 printed on it at UPS. They can't fire us for refusal to do so, and must provide us a scale if we reasonably believe an item to be over 149. If they don't furnish a scale, we all get to file union grievances and watch as the paper pushers struggle with 150lbs.

We had such an incident this past winter season. Bags of USPS parcels weighed far over 70 pounds. People finally got tired of it and it led to our entire facility being shut off while we sat around listening to them threaten us. Our only allowed responses were "is the item 70lbs or less?" and "will you provide a scale and weigh it to verify?"

Ultimately they started weighing bags again when nobody wanted to touch them (and couldn't be disciplined for not). We had a total of 400 grievances in a 40 member preload; e.g., even the drivers didn't want to see us suffer through it and/or deliver over 70s themselves.

It was a huge issue this last season, and now the union has withdrawn from any safety related matters. UPS never faced any fines but also refused to produce scales. Management did a lot of lifting this peak.

mustangmanbob

When shipping radioactive Plutonium, one can get 50+ pounds in a small flat rate box.

Since a small nuclear warhead of PU-239 only requires 9 pounds, one can get 5 working small yield bombs out of a single box.

Really saves on shipping costs when every cent matters.

FBI and Homeland Security: PLease note that I did not say I or We anywhere, just a generic 3rd person.

Azurescens

Any of you old enough to remember getting radioactive metals in home chemistry sets for kids?

1630Boston

@Azurescens said:
Any of you old enough to remember getting radioactive metals in home chemistry sets for kids?

They were great for making 'glow in the dark' watches/compasses .....................and glow in the dark face paint

Azurescens

My uncle said the same thing about the face paint LOL

Goldbully

Is there anything heavier than Osmium?

divecchia

If you could ship a piece of the sun, I believe that would go over the weight limit.

Donato

BryceM

If you tried to put that much plutonium in a box you’d be dead before you even got started. It would reach critical mass somewhere around 25 lbs (depending on the geometry of the material and its surroundings) and spontaneously start a very impressive uncontrolled nuclear chain reaction that would spew enough gamma radiation to kill even Spider-Man. Fissile material has very interesting physical properties. Google criticality accidents if you want to know more.

Cameonut

@BAJJERFAN said:

@Cameonut said:
FWIW, I believe the 70 lb weight limit comes from Occupational Ergonomics studies for occasional lifting. Does not specify the size of the container, but obviously smaller is more manageable.
IIRC, the limit used to be 100 lb, but with further study it was lowered to 70 lb to help protect workers. Been in place a long time.

Well you can ship packages up to 150 pounds by UPS.

This is true - but there is a HUGE difference between how often you should lift different weights. I was told by my UPS driver that for 150# items, they either have to use two people or have appropriate lifts and dollys to deliver.

Then again, maybe they grow 'em tough up there in Iowa and everyone can toss around 150# boxes like toothpicks..

See below for what the ergonomics people have to sort out.

JBK

Sounds like these UPS guys are a bunch of girlie men who are afraid to lift anything heavier than their pocketbooks.

JUST KIDDING.

BAJJERFAN

@divecchia said:
If you could ship a piece of the sun, I believe that would go over the weight limit.

Donato

I've heard that the eclipse is pretty light.

ebaytrader

@mustangmanbob said:
When shipping radioactive Plutonium, one can get 50+ pounds in a small flat rate box.

Since a small nuclear warhead of PU-239 only requires 9 pounds, one can get 5 working small yield bombs out of a single box.

Really saves on shipping costs when every cent matters.

FBI and Homeland Security: PLease note that I did not say I or We anywhere, just a generic 3rd person.

Of course, but your file has been updated anyways.