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Post by fernwood on Mar 19, 2018 10:00:44 GMT -5
Learned something. Am shipping a FRB to a location that strictly follows the regulations. Decided I better find the "official" regulations for tape and "buldges". I have been encasing the boxes in tape, just in case they are thrown and an item penetrates the box. Guess all tape used on sides will be on inside of box from now on. Never had anything returned or rejected at the PO.
DMM Notice: Proper Use of Flat Rate Containers
Employees are reminded of the proper use of Priority Mail Express® and Priority Mail® Flat Rate envelopes and boxes (containers).
According to Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®), when sealing a Flat Rate Envelope (FRE) or Flat Rate Box (FRB), the container flaps must be able to close within the normal folds. Tape may be applied to the flaps and seams to reinforce the container, provided the design of the container is not enlarged by opening the sides and the container is not reconstructed in any way. The weight restriction for domestic Flat Rate Envelopes and Boxes is 70 lbs.
If an FRE or FRB is presented at the office of mailing and the customer has manipulated or reconstructed it, the container is accepted using weight and zone — not the Flat Rate price. A customer is not required to repackage an item unless the contents are fragile and would be at risk of damage during processing and transit.
Below are a few typical questions and answers:
Q. Is tape allowed?
A. Yes, tape is allowed on the seams and flaps of an FRE or FRB. Tape is allowed to reinforce the flaps of an FRE within its normal folds and of course to properly close a FRB.
Q. How much tape is acceptable?
A. Tape is permissible as reinforcement on the seams and flaps of a FRE or FRB to make sure the container does not break open during processing and transit. However, tape should not “encase” the FRE or FRB. Note that if a customer is using a printed Click-N-Ship® label or PC Postage Vendor label, extra tape is allowed to properly attach it to the envelope or box.
Q. What about bulges?
A. As long as the FRE or FRB can close “within the normal folds,” bulges are not a problem. “Flat” refers to the price, not to the shape.
Q. What if the FRE is too thick?
A. There is currently no maximum thickness for a FRE. “Flat” refers to the price, not to the shape.
Q. What if the FRE is stuffed so full that it’s shaped like a cylinder?
A. As long as the FRE can close within its normal folds, and as long as the sides of the FRE haven’t been reconstructed, for example by being slit and having a gusset inserted, it is fine. “Flat” refers to the price, not to the shape.
Q. What if a skillet is packed in an FRB and the handle sticks out?
A. A small bump-out of the box is okay, but if the handle actually sticks out of the box or the box is reconfigured to accommodate the skillet, it cannot be considered as a FRB.
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Post by vegasjames on Mar 20, 2018 22:45:43 GMT -5
I will sometimes line the boxes with rip-resistant plastics such as old plastic mailers. And wrap rocks with sharp points making sure the points are blunted then wrap these individually first in rip resistant plastics. Even if the box does tear some the plastics will keep the stones from pushing through.
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Post by toiv0 on Mar 20, 2018 23:03:51 GMT -5
I get a lot of boxes that are not so good looking when they arrive. I lost 30 lbs of Turquoise one time after a Royston hunt. Doesn't do any good to make a claim, had the 7 boxes insured for 1000 a piece. 3 were ripped open. The post office just gave me the run around for almost a year before I gave up. I usually double line or double box now, and tape tape tape. They have never said anything even if there is tape 95 percent of the box.
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,688
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Post by NRG on Mar 21, 2018 19:22:21 GMT -5
Because those boxes are shit, I double box. One inside the other. A little surgery is needed on the inner one. I label and tape the top of the box clean and flat, FIRST. Then I fill and seal the bottom. Had a bulging top returned. But never a bulging bottom.  |
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Post by Peruano on Mar 21, 2018 21:37:22 GMT -5
I pack them as if I expect them to rupture. Contents are almost always in aluminum foil coffee bags (rocks smell good too) or the net bags that avocados or onions are sold in. Either one is likely to retain the rocks even if the fr box ruptures. I figure I don't have to get the absolute last rock in to make it worth my while to use the USPO's good services.
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Post by nowyo on Mar 22, 2018 20:05:02 GMT -5
I don't ship much stuff, but I line the inside of the box with more cardboard and try to make sure nothing can shift inside. Wrap the whole dang thing with tape. If you saw how those packages get handled you'd be surprised that any ake it through.
Russ
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Post by aDave on Mar 22, 2018 21:19:48 GMT -5
Because those boxes are shit, I double box. One inside the other. A little surgery is needed on the inner one. I label and tape the top of the box clean and flat, FIRST. Then I fill and seal the bottom. Had a bulging too returned. But never a bulging bottom. I use Scott's MFRB technique. Double boxes. It works extremely well. I have followed up with folks who I've sent to, and they stated the outer box was flawless. I still use packing tape on the outside. It's not encased, just a couple of strapping type wraps over the top and side, and I've never had anything returned to me as not meeting regulations. My mail carrier has told me he actually appreciates the extra tape to ensure against breakage of the box. The fact the OP is dealing with with regs tells me that someone somewhere has far too much time on their hands. Broken boxes usually result in delays or non-delivery. I had 50 lbs of coarse grit from Kingsley north held up as the box broke, and the USPS haz mat team had to inspect before delivery. The box met the shipping regs, but it broke nonetheless. |
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Post by glennz01 on Mar 26, 2018 20:13:38 GMT -5
Those methods work unless mailing to Alaska. We use one box max of medium size. Pack the rocks good inside depending if the rock can or can't be broken. Then we use strapping tape and seal all edges and folds, then do a straps on both ends and both middles. Then around the middle perimeter. I use at least 2 rounds of tape around those. Never had any issues.
I have had someone send me a double box on these forms who didn't believe that the only part of the original box that came back was the address field the USPS gave a new box and put a quarter inch of shrinkwrap around the entire box. The postal person said it had a little bit of a rough ride. I've also had a person on here send a box years ago but haven't got it to this day... I think it broke and someone liked rocks or thought how rocks got in the area and tossed them
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Post by catmandewe on Mar 26, 2018 20:27:50 GMT -5
I shrink wrap my medium and large boxes, USPS says you can do that as long as you use clear shrinkwrap (colored is not acceptable) and enough tape to hold the shrinkwrap together. Kind of like encasing it within a clear cocoon. Works really good. Really helps if your rocks are packaged so that they cannot move around, if they can move around they can make holes.
Tony
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Post by beefjello on Mar 29, 2018 18:21:57 GMT -5
Today I learned wrapping a large flat rate box with duct tape is A-Okay   Thanks toiv0 !!! |
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,718 
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 2, 2018 9:42:35 GMT -5
I usually double box, tape all seams and pack the box tight - even if it means extra rocks, that I just give away....I also use duct tape on heavy boxes, around the sides and some of the top to bottom....Never enough tape!
As for insurance, that is a big joke to the USPS, you never get a claim back off any lost or damaged boxes... So you hope everything goes as planned...LOL
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