Shipping bulk coins via USPS

Prethen · October 2, 2006 1:40AM

I'm going to ship off a bunch of junk silver which I've never done before. I've heard that it's smart to use the single rate Priority Mail boxes (cost=?). Those can be insured, right? Are there any other tips or advice I need on filling the box and/or protecting it from being "accidentally" opened or bursting?

itsnotjustme · October 2, 2006 1:54AM

Yes the flat rate boxes would be good. I know someone who used to use the flat rate envelopes for large numbers of rolled cents. You might wish to add strength to the box... a thin hard plastic or send/third layer of cardboard and very firmly taped.

Depending on the insured value, Registered might be cheaper.... but you cannot use the flat rate (or any supposedly) Priority Mail boxes for Registered Mail.

JrGMan2004 · October 2, 2006 2:00AM

We have little inserts that we put into the boxes when we do this. It's basically another layer of cardboard that goes on the inside... we've shipped numberous packages with bags of bulk silver this way, and it only costs about $8... then you add insurance, sig comf, that sort of thing

Barry · October 2, 2006 2:00AM

You certainly CAN use Prio Mail and send it Registered as well. I did it last week, as a matter of fact.

If the insured value is greater than $700, then it pays to ship Registered.

eyoung429 · October 2, 2006 2:06AM

Depending on the bulk amount, I have shipped 5lbs of wheaties and used the Priority First Class flat rate boxes....insured up to $500. One of the other forum members was able to ship quite a few rolls in the less expensive cardboard envelopes by using shaped packing foam.......

itsnotjustme · October 2, 2006 2:08AM

Barry,
I had done that... then the postal employees (more than 1 location) started telling me the boxes are only for priority mail, and Registered is not Priority. Who knows!

claychaser · October 2, 2006 2:11AM

You can ship flat priority boxes and register them with the insurance. For larger values, the registered insurance is less than the normal insurance. You have to use the reinforced paper tape on the outside. I like using an inner container, like a very heavy duty plastic bag, or or a canvas money bag in the inside.

LALASD4 · October 2, 2006 2:16AM

Priority Registered Mail is ok although it is slower than first class because of the register part.

Prethen · October 2, 2006 3:10AM

I may have to insure about $1000, so it seems that at that point it's a no-brainer to ship it only via Registered and forget about the flat rate? I guess then I can use a standard box I already have lying around. What's $1000 in silver coins weigh (mainly quarters)? Actually, it will be a bit heavier because there's quite a bit of 40% silver in there.

Barry · October 2, 2006 3:23AM

$1000 = 4000 Qs
1 Q = 6.25g
4000 Qs = 25000g = 55 lbs!

I don't think you'll fit that all in one box, but I could be wrong.

Even so, it will be much more economical to use the Flat Rate box. whether Registered or regular insurance.

had done that... then the postal employees (more than 1 location) started telling me the boxes are only for priority mail, and Registered is not Priority. Who knows!

The postmaster knows. In the future if you get a couter idiot who says you can't do it, ask for the postmaster.

wayneherndon · October 2, 2006 3:25AM

No, use Flat Rate plus Registered.

The Flat Rate boxes are good for anything up to 70 lbs. For really heavy items, you should first seal them in a slightly smaller box and then put them in the Flat Rate box. Flat Rate shipping is $8.10 for anywhere in the US (again for weights up to 70 lbs).

You can add all of the regular USPS add ons to the Flat Rate shipping, including both Insurance and Registered Mail. Registered Mail comes with and without insurance. Insurance on Registered Mail is less expensive (per $100) than on Insured Mail because it is handled more securely (lower risk). However, there is Registrater fee to overcome. The breakeven between the two is $700. Under $700, use Insured. Over $700 use Registered with Insurance. Again these are additional services and provide no shipping for these fees. For that you will choose between Parcel Post or Priority Mail. For heavy items that fit in a Flat Rate box, Priority Mail will be the least expensive way to go.

WH

Prethen · October 2, 2006 3:36AM

<< $1000 = 4000 Qs
1 Q = 6.25g
4000 Qs = 25000g = 55 lbs!

I don't think you'll fit that all in one box, but I could be wrong.

Even so, it will be much more economical to use the Flat Rate box. whether Registered or regular insurance.

had done that... then the postal employees (more than 1 location) started telling me the boxes are only for priority mail, and Registered is not Priority. Who knows!

The postmaster knows. In the future if you get a couter idiot who says you can't do it, ask for the postmaster. >>

Oops...I meant $1000 in value....not face.

Veep · October 2, 2006 4:14AM

This is not an exaggeration: I have sent more than 100 registered packages in the flat rate Priority boxes. This morning, I sent one weighing 21 pounds. I've sent them as heavy as 23 pounds. Heavier than that and I'd be concerned about the box holding up. If I send more than $500 face in silver, it goes into two boxes.

I put the silver into a heavy, Freezer Ziploc and squish out all of the air. Then I roll it up securely in newspaper. This keeps the items from jingling around and revealing what they are. Any remaining space in the box gets stuffed with compacted newspaper. Tape all of your box seams with the proper tape, and you're good to go.

I've shipped many heavy packages this way and have never had a problem. Even if the box was pierced/abused, the coins stayed intact behind the other layers of (inexpensive) protection.

To whom are you selling your silver?

MacCrimmon · October 2, 2006 4:25AM

Herndon is exactly right. I've recently used the FLAT RATE PRIORITY boxes to shipped unopened Mint bags of Lincolns cents. They weigh in around 38#. To keep from "jingling", I placed the canvass bag inside a small plastic garbage bag and TIGHTLY strapped it with duct tape until it was completely covered. I sealed all interior seams of the box with duct tape, dropped in the cent bag and stuffed accordingly to minimize shifting. That box would run about $65-70 going standard priority mail vs. $8.10 for just postage using the flat-rate box.

Deadhorse · October 2, 2006 4:42AM

<< This is not an exaggeration: I have sent more than 100 registered packages in the flat rate Priority boxes. This morning, I sent one weighing 21 pounds. I've sent them as heavy as 23 pounds. Heavier than that and I'd be concerned about the box holding up. If I send more than $500 face in silver, it goes into two boxes.

I put the silver into a heavy, Freezer Ziploc and squish out all of the air. Then I roll it up securely in newspaper. This keeps the items from jingling around and revealing what they are. Any remaining space in the box gets stuffed with compacted newspaper. Tape all of your box seams with the proper tape, and you're good to go.

I've shipped many heavy packages this way and have never had a problem. Even if the box was pierced/abused, the coins stayed intact behind the other layers of (inexpensive) protection. >>

Indeed. I can testify to Veep's message and means of shipping. Why it's possible to even have one run over by a forklift and be completely crushed on one end and still reach it's destination intact.

Prethen · October 2, 2006 5:34AM

<< This is not an exaggeration: I have sent more than 100 registered packages in the flat rate Priority boxes. This morning, I sent one weighing 21 pounds. I've sent them as heavy as 23 pounds. Heavier than that and I'd be concerned about the box holding up. If I send more than $500 face in silver, it goes into two boxes.

I put the silver into a heavy, Freezer Ziploc and squish out all of the air. Then I roll it up securely in newspaper. This keeps the items from jingling around and revealing what they are. Any remaining space in the box gets stuffed with compacted newspaper. Tape all of your box seams with the proper tape, and you're good to go.

I've shipped many heavy packages this way and have never had a problem. Even if the box was pierced/abused, the coins stayed intact behind the other layers of (inexpensive) protection.

To whom are you selling your silver? >>

Excellent advice. It'll be going off to SilverTowne.

Veep · October 2, 2006 5:54AM

Not that you asked, but you might be doing yourself a favor by sending a PM to Deadhorse to see what he'll offer. I've had many smooth transactions with Norm.

Prethen · October 2, 2006 6:28AM

<< Not that you asked, but you might be doing yourself a favor by sending a PM to Deadhorse to see what he'll offer. I've had many smooth transactions with Norm. >>

Thanks, I PM'd him.

BigE2 · October 2, 2006 12:31PM

Use those ripproof envelopes like fedex uses. It's a plastic that is EXTREMELY hard to rip. Ziploc bags WILL tear if they move the slightest bit.

BAJJERFAN · October 2, 2006 12:48PM

<< No, use Flat Rate plus Registered. >>

You can do that but you will not get the flat rate for priority if you send it registered. That change went into effect the 1st of this year. If the package weighs 50 pounds you will pay the priority rate for that weight; you will NOT get the $8.10 flat rate. And you will not get priority service either. It will be thrown in with all of the other slow registered stuff. Additionally you can't use the priority envelopes for registered because the shiny surfaces will not hold the red ink stamp required on registered packages.

bigbadchad777 · October 2, 2006 12:58PM

<< Barry,
I had done that... then the postal employees (more than 1 location) started telling me the boxes are only for priority mail, and Registered is not Priority. Who knows! >>

You can send Priority registered. Sounds like your postal employees are like mine, LAZY.
I am sending a package to Italy tomorrow and I am driving to the next town to mail it.
My local postal office will screw it up for sure and over charge me.
I sent about 10 Franklin commemorative dollars to PCGS to be graded as soon as the Mint issued them. My package made it to Newport Beach but was returned because my postal clerk forgot to put the postage on it. It was returned and they put a stamp on it and sent it back. Set my submissions back over a week.

wayneherndon · October 2, 2006 1:48PM

Actually, $1000 of quarters is regularly shipped in these boxes. In fact, when the USPS came out with them the state quarter wholesalers immediately switched to them from UPS. They easily hold a bag or two boxes. In fact, you can get about $1200 face in quarters in one of the boxes which weighs around 60 pounds. If unrolled, you can get closer to the 70 pound max. I've put three boxes (150 rolls) of nickels (right at 70 pounds) in one of the rectangular flat rate boxes.

WH

Smoker · October 2, 2006 4:05PM

You can't trust anything from anyone working for the USPS tells you even if it's a postmaster or if you call 1-800-ASK-USPS. One clerk will tell you that you can't insure money. Another will tell you that you can but need a special box or padded envelope. If you can, ask the clerk who will be waiting on you. The postmaster often doesn't know the regulations and clerks rarely know them well. At least that has been my experience in the Pittsburgh area and using their info. number. Call back and get a different person and they will tell you something different.

coindeuce · October 2, 2006 11:57PM

If you're planning to mail bulk weight of coinage in the Priority Flat rate box(shoe box size) make sure you double box. Uline corp. makes a box size that is nearly a perfect fit to the inner dimensions of the U.S.P.S. box. Most private insurers also require double boxing even on registered packages to validate their indemnity. you can ship up to 70 pounds in the shoe box size Flat Rate Priority for $8.10 1st class plus the insurance, or $16.00 registered plus insurance.

coindeuce · October 3, 2006 12:03AM

<< 

<< No, use Flat Rate plus Registered. >>

You can do that but you will not get the flat rate for priority if you send it registered. That change went into effect the 1st of this year. If the package weighs 50 pounds you will pay the priority rate for that weight; you will NOT get the $8.10 flat rate. And you will not get priority service either. It will be thrown in with all of the other slow registered stuff. Additionally you can't use the priority envelopes for registered because the shiny surfaces will not hold the red ink stamp required on registered packages. >>

Not true. I ship Priority Flate rate registered packages twice a week that weigh sometimes as much as 68 pounds. The strict advantage of using the Priority flate rate box is THE WEIGHT ALLOWANCE of 70 pounds. It is the only cost effective way of securely shipping bulk weight with significant monetary value.
In addition, I have sent grading submissions of bulk weight in the flat rate Priority envelope with registered service without any problems whatsoever. Haven't had a single package lost or damaged yet.

xbob · October 3, 2006 12:13AM

<< You can't trust anything from anyone working for the USPS tells you even if it's a postmaster or if you call 1-800-ASK-USPS. One clerk will tell you that you can't insure money. Another will tell you that you can but need a special box or padded envelope. If you can, ask the clerk who will be waiting on you. The postmaster often doesn't know the regulations and clerks rarely know them well. At least that has been my experience in the Pittsburgh area and using their info. number. Call back and get a different person and they will tell you something different. >>

I'll second that! I have found that each post office and/or employee has a different version of what's allowed for registered. Last week I packed up a priority mail box to send registered and was denied. It was at a big local sorting facility post office. I told them it is right on the USPS web site that priority registered is allowed and was refused. The counter flunkie just sat there in her position of "power" with arms folded. She said I needed a plain box and would not do the paper seam tape for me either (like the smaller area post office will - much nicer folks). I just left as the counter folks were saying to each other "Now why would that be on the web site?" I'm thinking... Oh, yea - like you know all things postal and the official web site is plain wrong! Give me a break! At home I put it in a plain box and went to the friendly small local PO. In and out in a few minutes with no hassles.

Thanks for the advice Barry of asking for the Postmaster. Next time I'll try that. I'll probably use plain boxes anyway just to avoid another trip back.

JrGMan2004 · October 3, 2006 12:43AM

<< $1000 = 4000 Qs
1 Q = 6.25g
4000 Qs = 25000g = 55 lbs!

I don't think you'll fit that all in one box, but I could be wrong.

Even so, it will be much more economical to use the Flat Rate box. whether Registered or regular insurance.

had done that... then the postal employees (more than 1 location) started telling me the boxes are only for priority mail, and Registered is not Priority. Who knows!

The postmaster knows. In the future if you get a couter idiot who says you can't do it, ask for the postmaster. >>

We've shipped full bags ($1000 face, 55lbs) plenty of times in the Flat Rate boxes. I believe the limit on them is something like 70-75lbs...

LEAP269 · October 23, 2006 6:07AM

my local post office had no clue. i told them you could send flat rate boxes as registered and he did not know. upon further review, the computer at the register allowed the option, so now he has decided i can send a flat rate box registered, albeit, with slower shipping times.

thanks for all your help guys.

ScarsdaleCoin · October 23, 2006 6:12AM

$1,000 bag of silver can be split into 2 boxes and you can send them USPS Registered with flat rate for about $22 per box..... to give you an idea of the savings if you sent the same boxes insured without using registered you would pay around $50 per box to ship.... all in all $44 bucks to ship 60 lbs that has a value of around $8,000 bucks is a good deal in my book

PS: advice you need to use reinforced gum tape for Registered, but its not a bad idea to tape down the inside of the box as well, by splitting the weight into 2 boxes you do save a lot of headache in terms of the box blowing open.....

PPS: your right about the post office, many times I have to explain to them what they are allowed to do

Shipping bulk coins via USPS

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