USPS launches regional service for commercial mailers
Commercial mailers and online shippers in the United States can now make use of a new flat-rate USPS delivery service for small packages being shipped over short distances. The Postal Service has added a new Regional Rate Box to its Priority Mail service for Commercial Base and Commercial Plus Pricing customers.
Using USPS-produced packaging, the service offers flat rates for two different box sizes, Regional Rate Box A and Regional Rate Box B, respectively allowing contents weighing up to 15 pounds and 20 pounds.
Each box size is offered as top-loaded or side-loaded options.
Prices start at $4.97 for a Box A shipment and $5.81 for a Box B shipment sent to within 150 miles of point of origin, rising according to the USPS domestic zones system to respectively $9.37 and $14.62 for domestic destinations more than 1,801 miles from point of origin.
The Postal Service said the new regional boxes were best used for small, dense packages requiring delivery within the US to arrive in two to three days.
“Regional Rate Boxes are designed with commercial package shippers in mind,” said Gary Reblin, USPS vice president of shipping services. “They have great potential for shippers requiring expedited delivery and cost-effective pricing for small and dense packages within smaller delivery areas.”
Additional options including delivery confirmation, signature confirmation and insurance are available for the new service, which officially began on January 2.
