Can I Use A Fedex Envelope To Ship Usps

I was recently going to ship a package to a family unit member and had it all boxed up and ready to go. I went to the post role and realized I had used a FedEx box. I wondered if it would be okay to simply slap on a P.O. label and send it anyway. So I made a couple of calls, and this is what I found out.

It is technically possible to use a FedEx box to ship through USPS, equally long equally the shipping label used is a USPS shipping label and you remove all the onetime labels and barcodes. Even so, it is not legally allowed and could result in problems for your shipment.

As you tin meet, information technology is a bad idea to endeavor and use the wrong kind of box. In instance yous didn't know, yous can actually gild free shipping envelopes and boxes from the USPS website, here is a link to the store.

Here are some more details on what I establish out about using a FedEx box for USPS shipping.

What Happens If You lot Accidentally Put a FedEx Package in a USPS Drop Box?

It is difficult to know exactly what will happen if you accidentally put a FedEx bundle in a USPS dropbox.

In the all-time-case scenario, the postal worker who picks up the package will transfer it to the right box, and it will be shipped as usual. Due to things similar human being mistake, even so, this is not always the case.
A postal worker could too send the packet to the shipment facility, where it will hopefully be identified as a competitor'due south bundle and taken to the correct facility.
In the worst-case scenario, the parcel will be misplaced or lost.
It is likely that your package will still arrive at its destination, although significantly delayed. But, information technology cannot exist guaranteed when you accidentally put a FedEx package in the USPS dropbox.

A Fedex UPS and USPS Box Next to Each Other — Accidentally dropping in the wrong box is a common error

What Well-nigh Sending a Parcel Through FedEx in a USPS Box?

Information technology is also possible, although non technically permissible, to transport a packet through FedEx in a USPS box. Because of this, information technology may appear that a FedEx delivery driver is delivering a United States Postal Service parcel, simply this is not the instance. Virtually probable, the box is from USPS, just the shipping characterization is through FedEx.

Then Why Did I See FedEx Delivering USPS Packages?

With FedEx SmartPost, FedEx delivery drivers drop off packages at the local post office to be delivered by the United States Postal Service during the final leg of the journey. Because of this, information technology may appear that FedEx is delivering its packages to USPS. However, SmartPost is a partnership between USPS and FedEx to allow for more flexible delivery and lower commitment prices.

Fedex Ground Truck Next to a USPS Truck — FedEx and USPS sometimes work together.

Is SmartPost Technically Endemic by FedEx or USPS?

SmartPost is a service provided through FedEx to cut downwardly on shipping costs for lightweight packages.

SmartPost targets the "last mile" of bundle delivery, which tin bulldoze up the price of shipping a significant amount. The "final mile" of postal delivery is not really a mile, merely instead tin be upwardly to 100 miles. With SmartPost, this last leg of delivery is passed off to the United States Post.

This provides many advantages for customers, the commencement of which is lower shipping costs. It too allows more flexibility with delivery, since FedEx cannot deliver to P.O. boxes. It volition enable customers to use one tracking number throughout the entire delivery procedure and follow their package until information technology ends up at their address.

Final Thoughts

All of the dissimilar mailing services have their own boxes for a reason. It's because they want you to use their service, and so they can make life hard if you don't. The real solution is to simply use generic boxes with the label of whatever service you choose to utilise.

I promise this article has been helpful, thanks for reading!

For more, check out Can I Apply a USPS Box for FedEx, or Is It Illegal?

Hey, I'one thousand Jim and the author of this website. I have always been interested in survival, line-fishing, camping ground, and anything in nature. In fact, while growing up I spent more time on the water than on land! I am also a acknowledged author and accept a degree in History, Anthropology, and Music. I hope y'all find value in the articles on this website. Experience gratuitous to contact me if yous have any questions or input!