How to Cut Down USPS Boxes to Get Cheaper Rates

As more shippers become aware of special dimension-based services such as Priority Mail Cubic, many wonder if they can cut down USPS boxes to get better rates and lower their costs. As a best practice, we advise against doing this. Instead, we typically encourage shippers to invest in custom packaging and not cut down USPS boxes. However, cutting regular Priority Mail boxes to achieve smaller dimensions is a feasible option…and now that USPS has discontinued Regional Rate boxes, shippers have plenty of opportunities to alter USPS boxes to score better rates.

Table of Contents

• The Only Way to Cut Down USPS Boxes is to Use Priority Mail Boxes
• Cutting Down Regional Rate Boxes that USPS Has Discontinued
• An Alternative to Altering USPS Boxes: Investing in Custom Packaging

The Only Way to Cut Down USPS Boxes is to Use Priority Mail Boxes

If you’re adamant about cutting down USPS boxes, the only way you can get away with it is to use Priority Mail boxes. The specific boxes USPS allows you to cut down are as follows:

• 1069L
• 4
• 1097
• 1092
• 1095
• Shoe Box

Keep in mind that if you use any of these boxes listed above, you must also purchase Priority Mail postage (Priority Mail Cubic postage is also fine). If you don’t, you’ll be charged for Priority Mail service anyway via the Postal Service’s Automated Package Verification System.

Cutting Down Regional Rate Boxes that USPS Has Discontinued

In the past, USPS didn’t allow shippers to alter Priority Mail Regional Rate packaging at all. However, now that USPS has discontinued this service starting on January 22nd, 2023, cutting down Regional Rate boxes is fair game…and if you’ve got old Regional Rate boxes lying around, you’ve got a chance to capture some nice savings.

While the Postal Service decided to discontinue Regional Rate “as part of an effort to simplify the Priority Mail products offering,” USPS encourages customers who use these boxes to order more before supplies run out. However, USPS also stated that any Priority Mail Regional Rate boxes given to them after point forward will be treated as regular weight-based Priority Mail shipments. Since that’s the case, beginning on January 22, 2023, shippers are now able to cut down Regional Rate boxes to access more affordable cubic rates!

An Alternative to Altering USPS Boxes: Investing in Custom Packaging

Generally speaking, we would advise not altering USPS boxes (or any boxes, for that matter). In our experience, it’s quite a hassle and creates a somewhat unprofessional presentation. Plus, the savings you’ll get from cutting a box to make it smaller might not be worth the time.

If you’re building an eCommerce business, you might be better off using custom packaging. Custom packaging gives you an opportunity to reinforce your brand, and you can still ship in specially discounted mail classes like Priority Mail Cubic when you use online shipping software to buy labels. Also, a custom-designed package simply looks way better than a USPS box when it shows up on your customers’ doorsteps. When it comes to running an eCommerce business, image and branding go a long way.

For more information on the Postal Service’s stance on cutting down or altering boxes and envelopes, feel free to visit this FAQ landing page.