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Carrier Selection always defaults to 1st Class Mail option and Priority Mail doesn't specify box size

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This may be a dumb question but I'm just starting out. Most of my packages qualify for 1st class mail and I use the poly bags. For those orders, everything is clear. But when an order is over 13 ounces, I have to choose priority mail which is fine but here are my issues: 1) It still only gives me 1st class mail as the "rule" I set up but when I try to set up a different rule, it still only gives me 1st class mail as the option and 2) When I choose Priority Mail, Shipping Easy does the calculations but doesn't tell me which box I'm supposed to use. There are many different priority mail boxes and often times the same order COULD technically fit into 2 different sizes. For instance, I had 2 orders at the same time that were both over 13oz. 1 was going to WA state and the other to NC. I chose priority mail for both. For one the priority mail that printed said 2 day and for the other 3 day. I'm assuming SE chose this to give 1 day travel time since WA state is on the other side of the country from me. But then which box do I use? It doesn't say! Technically, the order was small enough where I could have fit it into the medium size flat rate priority box. When I took it to the post office, they said it was supposed to be in the Priority Mailing box. It's so damn confusing! How am I supposed to know which box I'm supposed to be using?? Is there something on the label when it's printed that will tell me?!

  • KELLI CALDWELL
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Official Comment

Hi Kelly - These are some great questions that you bring up! There's a lot to cover, so I'll do my best to break up my response into sections and link to related articles throughout.

Why is only First Class selected by default?

Without any Shipping Rules or Saved Carrier Selections, the carrier selections on the READY TO SHIP page will default to nothing selected. The simplest way to configure a default selection is with Saved Carrier Selections. Currently you have configured one Saved Carrier Selection, so all your shipments will default to this selection. While your Shipping Rule is technically applying to your shipments less than 13 ounces, with only one Saved Selection, there's not an alternate Saved Selection to apply.

Tips for configuring Saved Carrier Selections and Shipping Rules:

  • If you often ship via Priority Mail, configure another Saved Carrier Selection to capture this. Go ahead and save any other commonly used carrier selections while you're at it.
  • Since you ship via First Class most often, you may want to set this Saved Carrier Selection as your default as well.
  • Once you have multiple Saved Selections, you can add in more Shipping Rules that capture orders which would be used for these services. Keep in mind that the order of your rules matter. Here's an example rule you might set up:
    • IF: Order weight is greater than 13 oz, THEN: Set saved carrier selection to "Priority Mail".
Another tip for editing your current rule:

First Class can be selected on any shipment up to and including 13 oz. So, I recommend updating the "IF" condition to "less than or equal to".

Which box should be used for Priority Mail?

It sounds like you have two questions here:

  • Which box should I use for the service I selected?
  • Which box is the best value for me?

Priority Mail rates are roughly broken into two groups: Flat Rate and weight/dimensional weight.

  • If you specifically select a Flat Rate service, such as Small Flat Rate box or Medium Flat Rate box, the you need to use this specific box. The postage cost for a Flat Rate box is strictly tied with the specific box type.
  • If you input your shipment weight and dimensions and select the "Package" option, this is assuming you're using your own packaging. You may not use a Flat Rate box, but you may use any other box. It can be marked with Priority Mail (like the Post Office said) or it can be a plain box (or mailer) of your choosing. The smallest box that fits your product will weigh the least and yield the best rates. If you have a favorite package, consider saving it to your Custom Packages, too.

The box that is the best value for you depends on a lot of factors. What do you ship, where do you ship it, and so on. We have a detailed article discussing the merits of USPS shipping options:

What do the dates on the labels mean?

The dates (ex: 2-Day) listed on your shipments indicates the service commitment that USPS agrees to. While Priority Mail is not a guaranteed service - meaning that USPS doesn't guarantee that it will be delivered by a specific date and time, this date range gives you a solid estimate. When selecting Express Priority Mail, the date range is a guarantee of delivery within the time specified.

I hope this points you in the right direction! Please leave any follow up questions in the comments below.

  • Jennifer R. [ShippingEasy]
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