Success using USPS flat rate boxes for small trades?

I've seen way more boxes crushed or dropped on the porch from USPS then FedEx or UPS. Losing one box of beers will negate any savings you had by trying to go cheaper.

 

It hasn't been said yet, so...be aware of the legality using USPS to ship beer. Not trying to make you paranoid about it because many people do it successfully, just good to know the specifics in case something should come up.

 

I frequently ship cans and growlers coast to coast thru usps. Have yet to lose a bottle or box. Can't say the same thing for the other 2. Takes 2 days with usps, vs a week with the others. Costs about half as much.

 

I've never risked sending one out myself, but I've received about 10 usps boxes of beer, and they made it in the same condition as ups/fedex.

 

If you are concerned with the flimsy material, make a "box in a box" with thicker cardboard. I do that with all my boxes. Overkill, maybe.

 

I've used them to go from VT to CA, way cheaper and always worked out fine.

 

The flat rate boxes are a great way to get stuff across the country quickly. You can fit bombers in easily. I use them when shipping Hill Farmstead 750ml growlers from NH to San Francisco. I can drop them off at the tiny post office in my town and they are across the country in two days, no issues.

I have had a growler leak in delivery and they still delivered it. Only issue I have had with USPS is they did crush two cans in a box that was coming to me and also misplaced the box for a week. Box was stinky and wet when it got here but they just bagged it and delivered. I have never heard of anyone getting any kind of notification from USPS, while I have read of many people receiving notices from the other two. If you pack it well you can ship with confidence.

Also, the boxes are plenty strong. I use 3 inch wide packing tape and just tape up both ends really well. More than strong enough to support the quantity of beer you can fit in there.

Of course, the garbage bag or zip locks are a good idea in any box (but I still don't always do it).

 

I've done this when shipping to Hawaii, was fine.

 

I do this quite often for small trades/gift beer boxes, especially with fresh IPAs. You can easily do two bombers in the large flat rate by packing them diagonally.

 

Be aware that flat rate boxes are cheap because they are machine sorted. This is why they are strict about not over stuffing the packages... Because they have machines set up to handle each flat rate box size and overstuffed ones jam it up. Machine sorting is often a violent process and these flat rate boxes can be subjected to much rougher handling than an odd shaped box. I haven't used flat rate boxes (or usps at all actually) but I would only do it for easily replaceable items if I were you.

 

Having never used USPS, you do seem well qualified to speak on it....but he has already shipped so I am guessing he chose to listen to those who have actually done it.

 

Um... I worked in shipping and receiving for the last 15 years before my career change. I shipped 99% of my packages (average 300 per day) via USPS. I haven't used flat rate boxes for BEER and I guess that wasn't clear. My mistake. Please review my credentials now and let me know if I am allowed to try to be helpful on the Internet. You can add whatever level of snark you feel is necessary.

 

You are allowed to be helpful whenever you want, perhaps you should start. (appropriate level of snark added). Haha, all good. I know we all hope the OP makes out fine.

 

Yeah, because you definitely knew everything @Coldstorage mentioned in his post. That's OK, maybe you have reading comprehension issues. Or, you're just a self-important and defensive jagoff who was threatened by his expertise and because it didn't fit your "IT'S GREAT, I USE IT" narrative. Oh, and...

...you definitely sound like a "helpful" expert in packing and shipping beer whose wisdom we should heed in sending beer across the country. Thanks for your input!

 

Haha, fair enough. Thanks for putting me in my place!

 

I have sent somewhere around 100 beer boxes out this year using usps only. 99% of the time I use flat rate boxes and have never had an issue at all. I also had a beer trader that was having his bachelor party here in Las Vegas ship me 10 large flat rate boxes jammed full of bombers, cans and 12oz bottles to hold for him. Not one broken or damaged beer in the whole lot