I use box in a bag shipping, and I tape it up tightly - and it looks like a gift-wrapped box with a polybag outer. I've NEVER had a problem with USPS upcharging me for this process. I asked my 30-Year Veteran Postal Carrier (getting ready to retire) and he said that USPS encourages this method because they have fewer "insurance claims" because the box is wrapped and the rain/snow can't damage the exterior of the cardboard. THIS METHOD SAVES MY CUSTOMERS TONS of money. Just sayin' I've never had an issue. Thanks for your video.😁
Hello, yes I saw a lot of people putting 17" boxes in bags, now let me ask you a question, what size poly mailers do you use? Because for a box of that size to fit in the bag, the bag has to be huge.
This is a great video, Mike. You explained it very well. I'm actually putting out a video today explaining it even further. I feel many don't understand what CUBIC ship is all about. Not understanding the CUBIC part of the Priority CUBIC Mail is the problem. I go into how that is done. And I actually show the information printed right from the USPS site and Pirate Ship site. I'm hoping by us doing these videos people stop abusing the system before we all get screwed and it's taken away. Thanks so much for doing this.
I have a question if i wanna ship shoes with this box in a bag method can i use a priority mail shoe box? or does it have to be my own custom box? i really need help with this
Postal worker here and they are cracking down and charging business owners who are doing it wrong. They computers and machines they have now have the capability to catch these packages and also packages where the weight is not correct. The Postal service is now charging people pirate ship accounts. You can still mail good size parcels in the bags but dont wrap them like a dang Christmas present. Also when you ask your mail carriers about this most will look at you with a blank stare 🤣. They train the carriers only for carrier duties. The clerks at the Post Office learn more about postage dues and all this stuff. Some carriers dont even know the price of a stamp because they just focus on delivering even though they really should definitely know the basics 🤣
I have argued this several times with people who just don't want to hear it. Thanks for this video. Pirateship clearly states that the box cannot be totally wrapped tight around the box like that. They say that if it looks like a box you need to be using the box dimensions as you normally would.
The PO creates their own problems. The example in this video is why they have this box in bag policy. The problem is they allow way too big a box in a flat. Anything say bigger than 6x4x4 is a BOX all day long. They create this mess and then try to "circleback" fixing it with raising the prices on honest mailers. Just idiotic government sanction bad business practices. I HATE the GD post office.
Shipping with box or box in the bag. Either side is not longer than 18" on both shipping method. Best way is, find out what is the cubic box you have w x h x d and devide by 1728= cubic shipping cost , no more than 0.5 cubic foot. That's the maximum you can do after that it's going by weight. To maximize your shipping rate is to make it small as possible and item is very heavy. When you got your cubic size.. 0.1... 0.2.. up to 0.5 then you can compare with Box in the Bag rate to see that you can drop your cubic size lower as long as you can measure both side of the bag comfortly. If the bag is to big, you can cut it and tape the seam but not folding it . The Box in the bag is better use when you want to shipping that already in their on box... Like toy.. game .. tools.. silverware set... Electronic stub which you don't want to put it in another box then get bigger side to ship via cubic method to pay for extra empty space or have to make your own custom size for it. Cubic is good way to send item that not come with it's own box. Box in the Bag is good for items with oem packaging Hope it help some.
I’m sure changes are coming with this. I was pretty much told the same thing from my post office. As long as the label was purchased priority mail and the weight is correct it was good to go. I did it with a pair of sneakers one time and the post office actually told me to tape down the bag tight so it didn’t get caught in the sorting machine. Lol. Thanks for the video it was informative.
hey so what measurements did you start inputting for future packages? the original length and width of the bag, or the length and width of the box once you taped the bag tight? usps didn't care that it looked like a box then?
Great info!!! I’ve been curious about it but haven’t used it yet other than a box in a padded priority mailer (and I don’t think that counts). Great info and can’t wait to try it and see the savings. Shipping can overwhelming and complicated.
I would like to see you put a box that is 18x11x8 in a poly mailer that is 18x11 there is no way. Not trying to be a troll. But the info is wrong. Thanks for the video it is very well done.
Would this still be applicable for a usps priority padded mailer and a box inside thats 6x5x4? The mailer is 12 1/2 by 9 1/2. Also Great video! Very helpful on explaining the box in a bag method!
Hello. No, it wouldn’t be applicable for the padded priority mailer because that is a ‘flat rate’ package. You’re going to pay the flat rate regardless. You would be better off wrapping that 6x5x4 box in bubble wrap and putting it into a poly mailer and using box in a bag pricing ( provided that the end result of the packaging doesn’t look like a ‘box’ ). Thanks for watching!
@@JanuaryHouse ok thank you! But I can still put a box in the padded mailer if I want to pay the flat rate price anyway? Like it won't upcharge me or anything? Thank you for your fast response!
Ok so basically get a super large polymailer for your box and then don't tape up it tight so it looks like a box, leave the box loose in the polymailer to get the box in a bag rate correct?
Making it not look like a box is key, however you cannot exceed 18” in any direction. So you likely cannot get the largest poly bag because you’ll exceed the 18” dimension restriction. Thanks for watching!
My first video, Mike. Great content and thanks for explaining it so well. Makes me really think about the general idea of the rules. People push the limits many times! I'm friendly with our Postmaster so I can make sure I follow the rules mostly. Lol
One of the best way to utilize this is to ship lots of soft items (cloth). I have 10lbs of cloth needed to ship out. Using this 18x18 poly bag works. not putting it in a box and a bag just put it in a 18x18bag. Did it puff up yes but it works and also showed a picture to pirate ship CSR. They believe it is fine doing it this as well.
USPS keeps returning my box in bag shipments saying its supposed to be three dimensional and that I can’t ship a (box6 in a bag because it’s supposed to be a shirt or the product unboxed
You spoke the key words "as of yet". But with as much misuse as I have seen just with my own deliveries of "box in a bag" parcels, it's almost a certainty that there are going to be some BIG changes both with Pirate Ship AND with USPS concerning the "box in a bag" method.
@@JanuaryHouse So the post office didnt actually say anything to you about it, they said they were fine with it? You never actually had anything go wrong with being a package sent this way?
roger federer correct I’ve never actually had anything go wrong. The post office didn’t actually say they were fine with it, just that they are only looking at postal class (priority vs. first class for example ) and that it scanned properly. I only spoke to my local post office, I think that the regional office (or wherever your packages actually go after you drop them off locally) is more in charge of back charges for incorrect weights/fees.
roger federer nah. I’m sure you’ll be fine. The post office has bigger issues to worry about right now (understaffing and the issues associated with it are the main ones). You’ll be ok. Maybe something for you to think about for future packages....just my experience that I’m passing along
Seems like 3" height is about the limit on a mailer. Don't know why no one is calling it. Sure would simplify things for those people who persist in "doing it wrong." Post office should just say, if your mailer is bigger than 3" high, use a BOX and pay for it!
So I can still put a box in a bag as long as I don’t shrink wrap it or tape it? If I put a 12x12x12 box in an 18x18 policy bag I’ll be okay? As long as I don’t tape the poly bag tightly to the box? I can just leave the bag how it is?
No. Because the box you have clearly has dimensions (12x12x12) that look like a box... the height is probably the biggest factor here... you technically are not supposed to be using bag in a box shipping. The package cannot ‘look like a box’ when you’re finished packing it. Your 12x12x12 would still look like a box even in a 18”x18” poly mailer.
I've heard of it but never felt ive had to go down that road..You mentioned upcharges..?? ..How does that work?? They send item back or send you a bill??..Great info in this video thanks for sharing👍
I just came upon your video today. Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge. Looks like your have an eBay store. I always use eBay for shipping but have wondered about Pirate Ship. My question....since we are all now on managed payments with eBay....how does a seller use Pirate Ship for our eBay sales? Or can we? TIA
In Pirate Ship, we can't use polymailer option for any item or box or bag greater than 18", it would then be counted as a box. I contacted them freaking out cus my item was in a bag greater than 18". I can still mail it under the box option.
I read somewhere the advantage, for USPS, of box in a bag is because they can pick it up with one hand as opposed to just a box would need to be picked up with 2 hands... this could be in reference to a machine with a max weight load of 20lbs and like a chopsticks or one of those "grab it as seen on tv" devices style of picking up the package...
![USPS Cubic Rate Shipping Explained [Cheapest Way to Ship]](/img/n.gif)
I use box in a bag shipping, and I tape it up tightly - and it looks like a gift-wrapped box with a polybag outer. I've NEVER had a problem with USPS upcharging me for this process. I asked my 30-Year Veteran Postal Carrier (getting ready to retire) and he said that USPS encourages this method because they have fewer "insurance claims" because the box is wrapped and the rain/snow can't damage the exterior of the cardboard. THIS METHOD SAVES MY CUSTOMERS TONS of money. Just sayin' I've never had an issue. Thanks for your video.😁
Hello, yes I saw a lot of people putting 17" boxes in bags, now let me ask you a question, what size poly mailers do you use? Because for a box of that size to fit in the bag, the bag has to be huge.
This is a great video, Mike. You explained it very well. I'm actually putting out a video today explaining it even further. I feel many don't understand what CUBIC ship is all about. Not understanding the CUBIC part of the Priority CUBIC Mail is the problem. I go into how that is done. And I actually show the information printed right from the USPS site and Pirate Ship site. I'm hoping by us doing these videos people stop abusing the system before we all get screwed and it's taken away. Thanks so much for doing this.
Thanks Nana! I’m looking forward to watching your video as well!
I have a question if i wanna ship shoes with this box in a bag method can i use a priority mail shoe box? or does it have to be my own custom box? i really need help with this
It won't be taken away. This is the beginning of privatizing the postal service.
Postal worker here and they are cracking down and charging business owners who are doing it wrong. They computers and machines they have now have the capability to catch these packages and also packages where the weight is not correct. The Postal service is now charging people pirate ship accounts. You can still mail good size parcels in the bags but dont wrap them like a dang Christmas present. Also when you ask your mail carriers about this most will look at you with a blank stare 🤣. They train the carriers only for carrier duties. The clerks at the Post Office learn more about postage dues and all this stuff. Some carriers dont even know the price of a stamp because they just focus on delivering even though they really should definitely know the basics 🤣
Great information! Thanks for sharing and watching my video!
You can not fit a box that is 18"x11"x8" into a poly mailer that is 18"x11. It is geometrically impossible.
I have argued this several times with people who just don't want to hear it. Thanks for this video.
Pirateship clearly states that the box cannot be totally wrapped tight around the box like that. They say that if it looks like a box you need to be using the box dimensions as you normally would.
Exactly. And you are correct, people just don’t want to hear it. Thanks for watching!!
The PO creates their own problems. The example in this video is why they have this box in bag policy. The problem is they allow way too big a box in a flat. Anything say bigger than 6x4x4 is a BOX all day long. They create this mess and then try to "circleback" fixing it with raising the prices on honest mailers. Just idiotic government sanction bad business practices. I HATE the GD post office.
@@johndough23 we need a postmaster general who understands that the postal service is a public service not a business.
You answered the exact question I had! Thank you. I will definitely give my boxes a little bit of bubble wrap to help hahaa
Lol 😂 Thanks for watching!!
Shipping with box or box in the bag.
Either side is not longer than 18" on both shipping method. Best way is, find out what is the cubic box you have w x h x d and devide by 1728= cubic shipping cost , no more than 0.5 cubic foot. That's the maximum you can do after that it's going by weight. To maximize your shipping rate is to make it small as possible and item is very heavy.
When you got your cubic size.. 0.1... 0.2.. up to 0.5 then you can compare with Box in the Bag rate to see that you can drop your cubic size lower as long as you can measure both side of the bag comfortly.
If the bag is to big, you can cut it and tape the seam but not folding it .
The Box in the bag is better use when you want to shipping that already in their on box... Like toy.. game .. tools.. silverware set... Electronic stub which you don't want to put it in another box then get bigger side to ship via cubic method to pay for extra empty space or
have to make your own custom size for it.
Cubic is good way to send item that not come with it's own box.
Box in the Bag is good for items with oem packaging
Hope it help some.
MY POST OFFICE LIKES IT TAPED DOWN BECAUSE IF YOU LEAVE THE CORNERS POKING OUT IT COULD GET COUGHT IN A MACHINE
I came over from Kats channel to see what this was about. Thanks for the info!
Thanks for watching!
I’m sure changes are coming with this. I was pretty much told the same thing from my post office. As long as the label was purchased priority mail and the weight is correct it was good to go. I did it with a pair of sneakers one time and the post office actually told me to tape down the bag tight so it didn’t get caught in the sorting machine. Lol. Thanks for the video it was informative.
Philly Picker Thanks for watching Joe!
hey so what measurements did you start inputting for future packages? the original length and width of the bag, or the length and width of the box once you taped the bag tight? usps didn't care that it looked like a box then?
Great info!!! I’ve been curious about it but haven’t used it yet other than a box in a padded priority mailer (and I don’t think that counts). Great info and can’t wait to try it and see the savings. Shipping can overwhelming and complicated.
Thanks for watching! Give Pirate Ship a try. Sometimes it can save you some money
This was very helpful thank you!
Thanks for watching!
I would like to see you put a box that is 18x11x8 in a poly mailer that is 18x11 there is no way. Not trying to be a troll. But the info is wrong. Thanks for the video it is very well done.
This was very helpful! I’ve wrongly used it before unknowingly, but I think this helped me. Thanks!
Me too! Thanks for watching and subscribing!
In that case you might as well just drop your tiny ass box in a flat rate envelope
Would this still be applicable for a usps priority padded mailer and a box inside thats 6x5x4? The mailer is 12 1/2 by 9 1/2. Also Great video! Very helpful on explaining the box in a bag method!
Hello. No, it wouldn’t be applicable for the padded priority mailer because that is a ‘flat rate’ package. You’re going to pay the flat rate regardless. You would be better off wrapping that 6x5x4 box in bubble wrap and putting it into a poly mailer and using box in a bag pricing ( provided that the end result of the packaging doesn’t look like a ‘box’ ). Thanks for watching!
@@JanuaryHouse ok thank you! But I can still put a box in the padded mailer if I want to pay the flat rate price anyway? Like it won't upcharge me or anything? Thank you for your fast response!
@@fakedzarcasm7350 yes, you can do that and pay the flat rate. There won’t be an up charge. 👍🏻
Thanks Mike. I didn’t understand this until now. I appreciate it.
Bargain Resell 👍🏻 Thanks for watching!
Love me some box in a bag!!
Thank you for the great info.
Lol, I was in the chat on that day....that dude was making a valid argument.
Batman Loves BassFishin' Yes, he sure was
Ok so basically get a super large polymailer for your box and then don't tape up it tight so it looks like a box, leave the box loose in the polymailer to get the box in a bag rate correct?
Making it not look like a box is key, however you cannot exceed 18” in any direction. So you likely cannot get the largest poly bag because you’ll exceed the 18” dimension restriction. Thanks for watching!
Excellent video and explanation by the way.👍
Batman Loves BassFishin' Thanks!
Would using holographic poly mailers help? Dazzle them with confusion. 😁😎✨💌
Lol. 😂
Wonder if bubble wrapped the box would make it look more like a cylinder would make a difference
My first video, Mike. Great content and thanks for explaining it so well. Makes me really think about the general idea of the rules. People push the limits many times! I'm friendly with our Postmaster so I can make sure I follow the rules mostly. Lol
One of the best way to utilize this is to ship lots of soft items (cloth). I have 10lbs of cloth needed to ship out. Using this 18x18 poly bag works. not putting it in a box and a bag just put it in a 18x18bag. Did it puff up yes but it works and also showed a picture to pirate ship CSR. They believe it is fine doing it this as well.
Great point! Thanks for watching!
Thank you so much for this video! This helps so much!
Great! Thanks for watching!
USPS keeps returning my box in bag shipments saying its supposed to be three dimensional and that I can’t ship a (box6 in a bag because it’s supposed to be a shirt or the product unboxed
You spoke the key words "as of yet". But with as much misuse as I have seen just with my own deliveries of "box in a bag" parcels, it's almost a certainty that there are going to be some BIG changes both with Pirate Ship AND with USPS concerning the "box in a bag" method.
Judith Duthu Yes, I agree
@@JanuaryHouse So the post office didnt actually say anything to you about it, they said they were fine with it? You never actually had anything go wrong with being a package sent this way?
roger federer correct I’ve never actually had anything go wrong. The post office didn’t actually say they were fine with it, just that they are only looking at postal class (priority vs. first class for example ) and that it scanned properly. I only spoke to my local post office, I think that the regional office (or wherever your packages actually go after you drop them off locally) is more in charge of back charges for incorrect weights/fees.
@@JanuaryHouse I just sent two packages out like this today and now im kinda nervous about it >.
roger federer nah. I’m sure you’ll be fine. The post office has bigger issues to worry about right now (understaffing and the issues associated with it are the main ones). You’ll be ok. Maybe something for you to think about for future packages....just my experience that I’m passing along
This was really really good. thank you!
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the info Mike! very helpful video!! stay safe & healthy ~ Val
Valamilk Thanks for watching!
Havent shipped anything like that yet . Curious how that worked. Thanks for the info🤗
Jennifer Hayes Thanks for watching!
Seems like 3" height is about the limit on a mailer. Don't know why no one is calling it. Sure would simplify things for those people who persist in "doing it wrong." Post office should just say, if your mailer is bigger than 3" high, use a BOX and pay for it!
The other thins is to be careful if you are doing free shipping on ebay and it is expected by a certain date.
So I can still put a box in a bag as long as I don’t shrink wrap it or tape it? If I put a 12x12x12 box in an 18x18 policy bag I’ll be okay? As long as I don’t tape the poly bag tightly to the box? I can just leave the bag how it is?
No. Because the box you have clearly has dimensions (12x12x12) that look like a box... the height is probably the biggest factor here... you technically are not supposed to be using bag in a box shipping. The package cannot ‘look like a box’ when you’re finished packing it. Your 12x12x12 would still look like a box even in a 18”x18” poly mailer.
Awesome information mike thank you. I am very new to shipping I appreciate you 🍀
Great information, thank you!
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for the info, I am a new subscriber.
Thanks!
Thank you for clarifying that, I greatly appreciate it 👌
I've heard of it but never felt ive had to go down that road..You mentioned upcharges..?? ..How does that work?? They send item back or send you a bill??..Great info in this video thanks for sharing👍
I've seen women discussing having their package delivered with postage due that they have to pay themselves to receive their package.
@@vivianphillips8519 so the seller gets charged...i see..thanks👍
It happened to me once. The extra was charged to ebay because I used ebay shipping and ebay charged it to me.
If I wrap in brown paper could that be box in bag?
Thank you!
I'm always doing something wrong! 🙄
The Lone Star Picker lol. Me too! 😂
There's just so much to know.
Have you ever had issues with insufficient postage using this method?
No. I have not. Thanks for watching!
But why PS called box in the bag anyway? If the box shape is visible dont use box in the bag?
Ambiguity in the contract goes in your favor. That said, they'll fix the issue eventually.
BackedBySilver Agreed
I just came upon your video today. Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge. Looks like your have an eBay store. I always use eBay for shipping but have wondered about Pirate Ship. My question....since we are all now on managed payments with eBay....how does a seller use Pirate Ship for our eBay sales? Or can we? TIA
Thanks for subscribing! I’m actually not switched over to managed payments yet
So, box in a bag, but it can't look like a box!
Right. Thanks for watching!
Interesting! Thanks, Mike!
In Pirate Ship, we can't use polymailer option for any item or box or bag greater than 18", it would then be counted as a box. I contacted them freaking out cus my item was in a bag greater than 18". I can still mail it under the box option.
So you mailed it in the poly bag but used the box dimensions correct? Using the box method.
I have an item that is 22 inches long but trying to save money on shipping without a box.
Yes, over 16 or 18" I not sure exactly which, it will be consider a box.
I remember that chat. ;)
John Jones 😁
Is this legal?
Very useful information. Thanks! Love the Redskins helmet. Sad to see it go. My high school used the same logo.
Thanks for watching!!
Cool video Mike.
I read somewhere the advantage, for USPS, of box in a bag is because they can pick it up with one hand as opposed to just a box would need to be picked up with 2 hands... this could be in reference to a machine with a max weight load of 20lbs and like a chopsticks or one of those "grab it as seen on tv" devices style of picking up the package...
Lol he wrote bag in box on his list
Thank you so so much!!
The max size of bag is 18"
So what your saying is... invest in REALLY BIG poly bags. Right? 😆
No, but seriously, thank you. Clears it up.
I'm so confused!
That makes box i n a bag completely useless
🎵
Batman Loves BassFishin' lol. I see what you did here 🤣