[Explained] Can You Reuse A Flat Rate Box? 

There are many people who reuse the flat rate box for shipping and other purposes as these boxes are sturdy and reliable. You also might think about whether it is legal to reuse a flat rate box or not.

If you are intended to reuse a USPS (United States Postal Service) Priority Mail box, then you better not reuse it. Because once you have paid the flat rate for the box, the box will become no longer valid for another shipment.

In this article, we have explained the rules and regulations for reusing a flat rate box including why you shouldn’t reuse them. So, without thinking about it, let’s have a read first.

Can You Reuse a Flat Rate Box for Shipping?

A flat rate box provided by the United States Postal Service (USPS) is not eligible for reuse. So, you can not reuse a flat rate box for another shipping.

To be more specific, the flat rate boxes are designed for a specific rate and service. It means, once you use the box for a shipment and pay the flat rate, you cannot reuse it for another shipment under the same flat rate pricing.

So, if you reuse a flat rate box for shipping as Priority again, it can be considered as breaking and violating the regulation imposed by USPS. But what if you reuse the flat rate box for other purposes? Let’s learn below.

Why Shouldn’t You Reuse Flat Rate Box?

As the flat rate boxes are ordered from the Postal Store, they can only be used for the Priority Mail Express service, Priority Mail service, or Global Express guaranteed for one time.

If you go to the website of USPS and check flat rate boxes, you can find a page like a picture below where it is clearly noted that Each Priority Mail and Priority Shipment includes USPS tracking. This tracking number is useless once the package is delivered. So, reusing the flat rate box can return or cancel the shipment for your items.

Again, as USPS provides the Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes for free, misuse of the box will be considered a violation of federal law. So, before thinking about reusing the flat rate box, you need to know what the law says about it.

The Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) C010.6.2 and E120.1.4 were amended on September 9, 1999, to clarify standards for items mailed in United States Postal Service (USPS) Express Mail and Priority Mail boxes. There, it is specifically mentioned that items sent by Express Mail or Priority Mail box provided by the USPS must be charged according to the appropriate Express Mail or Priority Mail rate; Modification or removal of markings on the boxes is strictly prohibited.

As misusing a flat rate box is a crime, staying out of jail and not getting fined thousand dollars is better than reaching your nearby local post office and grabbing a priority box free of cost.

Can You Reuse a Flat Rate Box for Other Purposes?

If you are asking whether you can reuse a flat rate box for any other shipping service then you may can, but there is a high chance that your parcel may return or get canceled.

However, if you want to reuse the box for other purposes such as using it as storage at your home, making something using it, or other purposes besides shipping, then you may reuse it.

If you are determined to reuse the box, it’d be better to remove all markings and old labels on the box that indicates what was inside. You can paint the box and use it for storage at home. You can also cut it round and use them as coasters.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can You Flip A Flat Rate Box Inside Out And Use It As A Regular Box?

No, you cannot modify or remove the marking of a flat rate box for reuse. Because the United States Postal Service (USPS) doesn’t allow it to do so. Even if you flip and turn the box inside out, they won’t let it ship without their own packaging.

What Is The Proper Way To Reuse A Flat Rate Box?

The proper way to reuse a flat-rate box is either by recycling it or reusing it for other purposes. Reusing a flat rate box for shipping is not legal at all.

Conclusion

While it may be tempting to reuse a flat rate box to save on shipping costs, it is generally not recommended. Because reusing a flat rate box violates the policies of USPS. To avoid penalties, it is better to use a new box for shipping. If you have any updated information regarding this topic, you are encouraged to share them with us in the comment section below. Thanks for reading.