There are four main distinctions between Postal Boxes and Ecommerce Packaging: speed, unboxing/unboxed experience, storage and delivery (or delivery). In this article, address all of those differences and describe why – if you’re a small independent retailer/shop on Etsy or even an i-R 500 giant shipping at a blistering pace via USPS, Ecommerce Packaging might be the way to go. There’s a compelling reason. When Etsy seller ships with USPS, she is subject to all of the rules and regulations which apply to commercial shipping. If you’re an Etsy seller, you’re subject to Etsy’s general rules and regulations which apply to online commercial shipping.

 

Postage and packaging options for Etsy sellers have been pretty standard for several years. Sheers/boxes, bubble wrap, foam lined boxes and mailing tubes still grace the mailing list for most sellers and buyers. But what about those who prefer something more? There’s always something new to try, including options like cellophane, air bubbles, tissue paper and even “marine” themed packaging options in various shapes, sizes and material combinations. Some Etsy sellers are experimenting with new shapes of foam cut to size, using tissue paper and even bamboo cardboard boxes.

 

But one thing has stayed true since the days of the Pony Express: no matter how small or big your product and shipments, there’s a USPS mailing box for it. This includes non-standard sizes like UPS and FedEx Ground. That’s because USPS continues to mandate the use of plain, standardized cardboard boxes for all residential and commercial shipping. You can ship your products by most any sized carrier, but you must ship with USPS prepaid or postpaid postage.

 

Of course, not all items sent by the Post Office can fit into a USPS size 4 or USPS size 5 envelopes. So that’s when they offer specialty mailing services for those special cases. These services include specially designed boxes and lids to fit each particular item or combination of items. You can get custom sizes as well. It’s always best to contact your postal service for these details.

 

So what’s the advantage of using postal boxes over other packaging options? The answer is versatility. Using your own specially designed and sized postal box, you can ship almost anything – in any shape, size and material. This flexibility extends to the item being shipped as well. You can pack almost any item in a cardboard box, but that’s as generic as it gets.

 

Shipping with USPS is almost always cheaper than other commercial shipping options. This is because the cost of stamps is so high on bulk items, especially if you buy them per piece. As long as you’re shipping items in large volumes, the cost savings will more than offset the extra postage you pay for using specially made long cardboard boxes or flat boxes.