One of the conveniences of having a full-service mailbox is that you can use it to send mail, so you do not have to go to your local post office or a USPS Drop Box anymore.
However, mailboxes can only fit mail and small packages. There is a limit to what you can put in the outgoing mail receptacle.
But this does not mean you cannot mail items bigger than your mailbox. You can still mail them.
Here is How to Mail Something Bigger Than your Mailbox:
Take your package to your local post office. Get a custom box from them (they will have plenty of different sizes). Once you have your box, pack up your item and attach the appropriate postage. Then, drop it off in the outgoing mail slot, and it will be on its way!
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Can I Mail Large Packages from Home?
Often, people are too busy to go to the post office to send their mail. The good news is that USPS offers pickup services, so you no longer have to go to the post office.
You can mail large packages from home. All you have to do is avail yourself of any USPS shipping services and schedule a pickup. This is a great solution if you have no time to take your package to the post office.
Large packages can be picked up using the Free Package Pickup or the Pickup on Demand. The USPS does not recommend leaving your items on the ground beside the mailbox because they might get stolen.
The Free Package Pickup is a service wherein the mail carrier can pick up your package for free on the next delivery date. This is free, regardless of how many packages will be picked up.
The Pickup on Demand is a service wherein you can schedule a specific date and time for pickup. This includes a small fee, but this is a convenient service that allows you to have your package picked up at your preferred time.
The USPS offers two shipping services that allow you to mail large packages from home. These services can save you from a trip to your local post office:
Priority Mail Express:
This is the fastest domestic shipping service offered by the USPS, as it guarantees delivery in 1 to 2 days.
It delivers 7 days a week, 365 days a year, with a few limited exceptions, and it delivers to most home and PO box addresses.
This service allows you to large mail packages weighing up to 70 pounds, with a maximum combined length and girth of up to 108 inches. You can purchase postage and shipping labels online.
Shipping prices start at $26.95.
Priority Mail:
This is the bestselling mail service offered by the USPS.
It guarantees domestic deliveries in up to 3 business days, depending on where the package will be delivered. This service includes tracking and insurance; the boxes and envelopes are free.
This service allows you to mail large packages weighing up to 70 pounds, with a maximum combined length and girth of up to 108 inches. You can purchase postage and shipping labels online.
Shipping prices start at $26.95.
Can I Mail an Oversized Envelope from Home?
You can also mail big envelopes from home. Technically, you can mail any oversized envelope from home through your outgoing mail receptacle as long as it fits the allowed weight and size.
If the mail weighs 10 ounces or less and is half an inch thick or less, you can mail it using the outgoing mail receptacle of your mailbox, even if it is placed in a big envelope.
Any envelope that is more than 12 inches high and 15 inches long will be considered oversized. They will be treated as parcels and may be subjected to additional fees.
If the mail exceeds the maximum allowed weight and size for envelopes, you can still mail it from home by scheduling a pickup service.
Will Commercial Companies (Amazon, Fed-Ex, UPS) Pick Up Heavy Boxes?
Commercial companies are also a good option for sending large packages. Some of them have bigger weight limits when it comes to mailing packages.
UPS
UPS allows you to mail your packages even if they weigh more than 70 pounds.
Additional charges and different guidelines may apply if the package is more than 70 pounds.
For UPS, the maximum weight for large packages is 150 pounds, with a length of up to 108 inches. They can also service packages weighing more than 150 pounds, which would require freight shipping services.
Fed-Ex
Fed-Ex has almost the same weight limit as UPS regarding mailing large boxes.
Regular shipping applies to boxes up to 75 pounds. There will be additional fees if the box weighs more than 75 pounds.
It would help if you also placed a heavyweight label on the box itself.
For Fed-Ex, the maximum weight for large packages is 150 pounds, with a length of up to 108 inches or up to 165 inches in length plus girth.
Amazon
Amazon does not pick up and ship mailboxes that are too large.
Amazon has a limit of only 50 pounds for large packages, which is less than the weight limit set by the US Postal Service.
Should I take Large Packages to the Post Office?
If you have large packages that are not qualified for any of the pickup services that the USPS offers, you can take these large packages to your local post office and avail of the USPS Retail Ground service.
The USPS Retail Ground is good and reliable shipping and delivery service if you have large packages to send that are non-urgent. This is a service you can use for packages considered too large, even for Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail delivery.
The shipping with USPS Retail Ground normally takes 2 to 8 business days, depending on where the package needs to be delivered. This service provides tracking of your shipment. It is only available at your local post office, so you cannot request package pickup if you need to avail of this.
When availing of the USPS Retail Ground service, the cost depends on how much the package weighs and the distance it will travel.
Before bringing the package to the post office, you need to measure it to ensure it meets the size standards. The maximum allowed is a weight of 70 pounds and a maximum combined length and girth of 130 inches.
There are also additional charges if your package comes in a non-standard size. You will need to pay these charges if any of the following applies:
- The non-standard package is between 22 and 30 inches long – add $4.00
- The non-standard package is more than 30 inches long – add $15.00
- The non-standard package is more than 2 cubic feet – add $15.00
Should I Take Oversized Envelopes To The Post Office?
If you have outgoing mail that comes in an oversized envelope, you can take it to the post office.Â
If you missed the Free Package Pickup but don’t want to pay for Pickup on Demand, you should take oversized envelopes to the post office to send them.
All you have to do is bring it to any retail counter at the post office. A post office staff will assist you so you can have it mailed.
An envelope will be considered oversized if it is more than 12 inches high and 15 inches long. The post office can mail it, but it will be treated as a parcel, with additional fees.
Generally, if you want to send a large package, several options are available through USPS or a commercial shipping company. Of course, some options will be more expensive as they offer the convenience of having your package picked up at home.
If the package is too big, meaning it weighs more than 150 pounds, it will be considered freight, an entirely different shipping service where mailing rules do not apply.
Sources:
Mail & Shipping Services: Find The Right Domestic Mail Service