Where to Get Free Shipping Supplies
Save hundreds annually with free boxes, envelopes, and packaging from carriers
How can I get free shipping supplies?
USPS provides free Priority Mail and Flat Rate boxes, envelopes, and labels at usps.com (delivered to your door). UPS and FedEx offer free branded packaging for their express services. Using free carrier supplies saves $0.50-$3 per package - a business shipping 200 packages monthly saves $1,200-$7,200 annually.
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| Carrier | Service | Price | Delivery Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USPS | Priority Mail boxes (all sizes) | FREE | Delivered free | |
| USPS | Flat Rate envelopes | FREE | Delivered free | |
| UPS | Express envelopes/boxes | FREE | For UPS Express only | |
| FedEx | Express packaging | FREE | For FedEx Express only | |
| Retail | Comparable purchased box | $1.50-$3.00 | What you'd pay |
Priority Mail boxes (all sizes)
Flat Rate envelopes
Express envelopes/boxes
Express packaging
Comparable purchased box
* Prices shown are discounted ShipWave rates. Actual rates vary by exact dimensions, weight, and origin/destination.
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Free USPS Shipping Supplies
USPS offers the most comprehensive free supply program. Available free at usps.com/shop:
- Priority Mail boxes (all sizes from 4x4x4 to 15x12x12)
- Flat Rate boxes (Small, Medium, Large, Large Board Game)
- Flat Rate envelopes (regular, padded, legal)
- Priority Mail Express packaging
- Regional Rate boxes (A and B)
Order online for free delivery (usually 3-7 days) or pick up at local Post Office. No purchase required.
Free UPS and FedEx Supplies
UPS provides free: Express envelopes (letter and legal), Express Pak, Express tubes, and Express boxes for Next Day Air and 2nd Day Air services. Order at ups.com/supplies.
FedEx offers free: Express envelopes, Pak, tubes, small/medium/large boxes for FedEx Express services. Order at fedex.com/supplies.
Important: UPS and FedEx free supplies are only for their Express services, not Ground.
Maximizing Free Supply Value
Strategy for maximum savings:
- Use USPS Priority Mail/Flat Rate supplies for all postal shipments
- Reserve UPS/FedEx free supplies for their express shipments only
- For Ground shipments, purchase inexpensive boxes or reuse clean shipping boxes
Goal: pay $0 for packaging on 60-80% of shipments by matching free supplies to appropriate services.
Pro Tips to Save More
Order USPS supplies in bulk
USPS allows ordering up to 500 of each item at once with no questions. Stock up on popular sizes to never run out.
Try Regional Rate boxes
USPS Regional Rate A and B boxes are free and offer zone-based pricing often cheaper than Flat Rate for Zones 1-5.
Use Flat Rate for heavy items only
Free Flat Rate boxes save the most on heavy items (8+ lbs) going long distances. For lighter items, Priority Mail by weight is usually cheaper.
Reuse received boxes for Ground
Save clean boxes from your own deliveries for UPS/FedEx Ground shipments where free supplies don't apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Visit usps.com/shop, select "Free Shipping Supplies," create/login to your USPS account, and order boxes delivered free to your address. You can also pick up at any Post Office.
- Yes, 100% free with no strings attached. USPS provides packaging to encourage use of their services, but there's no requirement to ship any packages.
- No, USPS Priority Mail and Flat Rate boxes must only be used for their respective services. Using a Priority box for Ground Advantage or another carrier is prohibited.
- UPS provides free packaging for Express services (Next Day Air, 2nd Day Air, 3 Day Select) only. Ground shipments require your own packaging.
- USPS allows up to 500 of most items per order with no annual limit. UPS and FedEx have similar generous limits.
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