Flat Rate Shipping

Flat rate works best for heavy, compact items shipped to far zones. For light items, zone-based or cubic rates are usually cheaper.

Is USPS flat rate always cheaper?

No. Flat rate tends to win for heavy items going long distances, while light packages or short-zone shipments are usually cheaper at weight-based or cubic rates. Compare both for your typical order profile.

• Priority MailA USPS expedited parcel service with a 1 to 3 business day delivery standard for packages up to 70 pounds, priced by weight and zone, by flat rate, or by cubic tier.
• Cubic PricingA USPS pricing method for Priority Mail and Ground Advantage packages up to 0.5 cubic feet and 20 pounds that charges by package volume tier and zone instead of weight.
• Shipping ZoneA carrier's measure of distance between the origin and destination ZIP codes. In the contiguous US, parcel zones run from 2 (closest) to 8 (farthest).