I'm pretty sure you have to weigh it. If you call their toll-free number, they will guide you through it.

The boxes are more for the envelopes, which are one-price, I think.

I don't ship a lot, but make a point of using Fed Ex when I do. I opened an account with them by using a credit card, so when I ship, it's billed to my CC. And there's about a 25% discount if you have an account, so it's WELL worth it.

We ship frequently using FedEx. sushipup is incorrect. FedEx does NOT have any one-price boxes, however the post office does. If you go onto the FedEx website, you will be able to "create a shipment" using a credit card. Good luck, and if need be, perhaps there is a FedEx location somewhere close to you that could give you some assistance.

I said envelopes. For the deposit boxes.

I do a lot of shipping and I find that the best deal in shipping small items up to about 1' square is with the U.S. Postal Service "priority Mail" boxes.

They have a number of different size boxes and envelopes and they charge a flat rate by the size of the container..You do not need to weigh the container,,"up to 70lbs -if it fits it ships"

You can also get the boxes ahead of time and keep them at home. When you pack the box you can go online to pay the fee and they will pick the box up at your house or place of business.

You can also track the shipments online.

I find the price is cheaper than UPS or FedX and the service is excellant.

By example, I live in Massachusetts and last week I made a purchase from a company in Tacoma, Washington. I had the item in hand in 3 days.

The envelopes are not one price, either. The FedEx charges are determined by weight and where the package is shipped from and to.

Sorry, thanks for the correction. My info was outdated.

I use Fed Ex the most unless I need to insure something. Fed Ex only insures up to $1000.00

UPS will insure up to $70,000 ( I think that's the amount, I haven't shipped anything over $5000. so I might be wrong).

I avoid the UPS stores because they are franchised and can set their own rates. Luckily I have a regular UPS facility about 8 miles from home.

The problem with the USPS is that their 'tracking' is a joke. They do not track and follow the package - they can only tell you when it leaves the post office and when it arrives at the receivers.

This is even true with their certified, return receipt service. Two of my DD's college applications left our post office and are still floating around somwehere- since 2001!

no biggie, sushipup! I just wanted the OP to have the correct information.

I avoid FexEx when possible due to the cost. Didn't know about the discount for having an account. But I don't ship much that way. I usually call them and have them pick it up from me and yes you have to weigh it and tell them the weight, originating zip, destination zip and that determines cost.

My understanding is envelopes are subject to weight also, but there's sort of weight range with the same pricing. A call to FedEx could give you a lot of info.

Is there a reason you want FedEx? I don't like using the post office when I can avoid them but if you can take a higher risk you can save some money there. Check rates though. A few times I found it cheaper to ship other than the post office for savings.

In fairness to the post office, their tracking system has changed significantly since 2001 so just because you can't track something anymore from a parcel mailed 10 years ago doesn't mean you can't track parcels now. They carry barcode readers, like UPS and FedEx now, it's not all paperwork as before. I tracked a package online for a week as it went around the country. Curiously the post offices haven't seemed to lose their paychecks in the last few years so the tracking must be working! (Several times a local post office lost their own paychecks mailed to the post office. They started shipping them FedEx! I split a gut laughing about that one and said maybe they know how others feel now!)

The post office, frustrating as they are, do provide me occasional humor. Besides them losing their own checks, I got a chuckle tracking a shipment of an order a couple years ago. After I think it was 3 or 4 days, the post office sent it to UPS to be shipped to me! And I was able to track it to the door.

OK--thank you everyone for the FedEx education! I may have to ship some things, and I'm thinking USPS might be the way to go.

Fed ex is not the cheapest but they are the best, we do a lot of shipping and they are the only company that can track and tell me where a package is at any given moment AND turn it around or redirect it if I need to do so. They will cover some items (jewelry for example) for up to $50,000 if you need special, one time coverage. I had a 4.45 carat diamond shipped to my boss, the value of nearly twice the limit but our insurance covered it via rider. All together they carried that stone 4 times for me!

I believe you have to have an account to use the drop box, otherwise you go to an approved Fed drop location (mailboxes or Staples) for exact pricing and to pay for shipping. They pick up at my house at least 3 times a week, we run to the Fed Ex drop the other 2 nights, they now recognize the mini cooper and come out to get the packages when they see me coming!!!! LOL!

For those who can weigh, and print postage at home or office, the new Regional (Flat rate) Boxes can be used, and in most cases are a lot cheaper than the regular flat rate ones. They are a bit smaller than the med and large (regular) Flat Rate ones, but Box A comes in 2 different shapes, and can weigh up to 15 LBs.

Box B (the larger one) also comes in 2 different shapes and can weigh up to 20 LBs.

The postage 'has' to be printed on line, but the package can either be picked up or else dropped off at the PO and free Delivery Confirmation is included too.

To order the Regional Rate boxes

Postal Zone Chart if you want to determine what zone, thus what cost the Regional Rate box would be.

Here is a link that might be useful: Scroll down to see the Regional Rate boxes.

Cynic - I did mention what happened 10 years ago however it stills happens now. The tax return I mailed to PA on February 15th still hasn't arrived in Harrisburg. Luckily I had time to send another tax return before the due date.

But the PO has no clue where my return is, all they can say is that not all of the carriers use their scanners! They did agree to refund all that postage I paid.

I love FedEx for shipping my bike to a start destination or back home from a finish destination.

They ship BIG items. I shipped it FedEx ground. It was cheaper than airlines, and I didn't have to worry if it arrived with me. LOL.

FedEx is reasonable for BIG items, if you us their ground shipment option.

Moni

I use only the Post Office Flat rate boxes. They are free (the boxes) , all you do is fill it, address and bring back to USPO to pay the flat-rate postage. Boxes are about $5, $10 and $16. Biggest box holds plenty. Don't bother with Fedex and those drop=off Mailboxes places. they charge you big-time for supplies ,their service, plus the Fedex cost. Not worth it.

FedEx does NOT charge for their supplies.

They do sell regular brown boxes at their manned facilities. I was just there last week and noticed them for the first time. They also will pack your item starting at $4.99.

I buy and sell both film & digital Single lens reflex cameras, lenses and accessories and I average about 15 shipments a month. In the last two years I have been using the USPS Priority Mail boxes and have not had a single shipment lost, delayed or damaged in shipment and contrary to what was said previously, they do provide online tracking. All for a flat rate.

On a couple occassions I have used FedX at the customers request. It is true that FedX does not charge for their supplies, but for what they charge for the freight bill they not only should provide the supplies, they should throw in the truck too.

In 2003 UPS & USPS signed a reciprocal working agreement wherein priority mail is now shipped via UPS air freight and in many regions small items shipped via UPS are delivered to residential customers via the U.S. Postal Service.

I was talking to one of the counter guys at the UPS bulk center and he told me that I really should ship via USPS Priority mail because it still gets UPS handling at a much cheaper rate.

Glad to know about the USPO flat rate boxes.

We live close to a Fedex distribution center and if I go there directly and use Fedex ground it is way cheaper for heavier items than anywhere else. No middle man.