The USPS shoe box, officially the Priority Mail Shoe Box, is a free box from USPS sized for one boxed pair of shoes. It measures 14-7/8 × 5-1/4 × 7-3/8 inches on the outside and can only be used with Priority Mail. It isn’t a flat rate box: postage depends on the package’s weight and destination, like any other Priority Mail package.
Because the box is free, the only cost is Priority Mail postage. It’s a good fit for sneakers, dress shoes and flats. Boots and multiple pairs usually need a bigger box or a Flat Rate option.
What Are the USPS Shoe Box Dimensions?
USPS lists these specifications for the Priority Mail Shoe Box on its online Postal Store:
| Specification | Priority Mail Shoe Box |
|---|---|
| Outside dimensions | 14-7/8″ L × 5-1/4″ W × 7-3/8″ H |
| Inside dimensions | 14-3/8″ L × 5-1/8″ W × 7-1/4″ H |
| Service allowed | Priority Mail only |
| Maximum package weight | 70 lbs |
| Pricing basis | Weight and destination (not flat rate) |
| Box cost | Free when used for Priority Mail |
| Order quantity | Packs of 10 or 25 |
The inside length of just over 14 inches holds most retail shoe boxes for adult sneakers and dress shoes. Measure the retail box before you order. High-tops, large men’s sizes in bulky packaging, and any boots taller than about 7 inches often won’t fit. The box is well under one cubic foot, so USPS doesn’t apply dimensional weight to it.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship with a USPS Shoe Box?
The box costs nothing, but postage is regular Priority Mail pricing based on weight and the distance zone between your ZIP Code and the recipient’s. A light pair of running shoes to a nearby state costs much less than a heavy pair of dress boots across the country.
Three things set the price:
- Weight: a pair of sneakers in a retail box usually weighs 2 to 4 lbs. Weigh the sealed package and round up to the next pound.
- Zone: USPS uses Zones 1 through 9 based on distance. Cross-country shipments land in the highest zones.
- Where you buy the label: retail counter prices are the highest. Commercial prices bought online cost less.
To see the actual price for your shoes, enter the weight and both ZIP Codes in the ParcelPath rate calculator, which shows discounted Priority Mail prices of up to 89% off USPS retail. ParcelPath is free, with no subscription or per-label fee. For a broader look at how Priority Mail pricing works, see our USPS shipping rates chart by weight and service tier, or the step-by-step USPS shipping calculator guide.
Is the USPS Shoe Box Better Than a Flat Rate Box?
For one light pair of shoes, the Shoe Box usually beats Flat Rate, because weight-based Priority Mail is priced low for light packages. For heavy boots, several pairs or long distances, a Medium Flat Rate Box can come out ahead, since its price stays the same at any weight up to 70 lbs.
| Option | How it’s priced | Fits | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Priority Mail Shoe Box | Weight and zone | One boxed pair of shoes | Light sneakers, flats, dress shoes |
| Medium Flat Rate Box | One price at any weight up to 70 lbs | Boots, or two pairs | Heavy footwear going far |
| Large Flat Rate Box | One price at any weight up to 70 lbs | Several pairs or tall boots | Bulk or bulky footwear |
| Your own box with Ground Advantage | Weight, zone and size | Any size up to 130 in. length plus girth | Lowest cost when speed doesn’t matter |
Price both before you ship. Our USPS Flat Rate Boxes guide lists every Flat Rate size, and the Priority Mail Flat Rate savings tips explain when a flat rate wins.
Can You Use the Shoe Box for USPS Ground Advantage?
No. Priority Mail boxes, including the Shoe Box, are only for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express. If you want the slower, cheaper USPS Ground Advantage service, which delivers in 2 to 5 business days, ship the shoes in a plain box or a reused retail box with old labels covered.
Choosing between the two comes down to speed. Priority Mail delivers in 1 to 3 business days and includes tracking and insurance up to $100. Ground Advantage is slower but often cheaper. Our comparison of USPS Priority Mail vs Ground Advantage breaks down the differences.
How Do You Order USPS Shoe Boxes?
Order Priority Mail Shoe Boxes free from the USPS Postal Store at store.usps.com. They ship in packs of 10 or 25, and delivery of the supplies is free. Some Post Office locations stock them, but availability varies, so ordering online is the reliable route if you need a set number.
- Go to the Postal Store and search “Priority Mail Shoe Box.”
- Choose the pack size (10 or 25) and the quantity of packs.
- Check out. There’s no charge for the boxes or their delivery.
- Use the boxes only for Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express shipments.
How Do You Ship Shoes in a USPS Shoe Box?
- Clean the shoes and stuff the toes with paper so they keep their shape.
- Keep them in their retail box if they fit, and slide that box into the Shoe Box. For shoes without a retail box, wrap each shoe separately in paper.
- Fill any gaps so nothing slides around, then tape the seams.
- Weigh the sealed box and buy a Priority Mail label online.
- Drop it off or schedule a free pickup. USPS picks up Priority Mail packages free from your home or office.
No printer? ParcelPath supports USPS Label Broker, so you can show a QR code at the Post Office and the clerk prints the label for you.
How Do You Track or Change a Shoe Box Shipment?
Every Priority Mail label includes USPS Tracking. Our guide to finding and using your USPS tracking ID explains how to look up delivery scans. If the shoes need to be rerouted or recalled after you ship, USPS Package Intercept can redirect the package before delivery for an added fee.
Sending shoes to someone who just moved? A recipient who has filed a USPS change of address will have mail forwarded, but it’s faster to confirm the new address first. A Size 4 (Large) PO Box holds two shoe boxes plus letters, according to USPS, so a shoe box usually fits in a large PO Box. Our USPS PO Box cost and size guide lists every box size.
For other common USPS questions, see our USPS frequently asked questions, browse ways to save in USPS discounts, or compare every carrier on our shipping companies page. The USPS shipping guide covers all USPS services, and the roundup of shipping services and solutions covers non-USPS options. Start from the ParcelPath home page to create a free account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the USPS shoe box free?
Yes. The Priority Mail Shoe Box is free when you use it to send Priority Mail, and USPS delivers the boxes to you at no charge in packs of 10 or 25 from the Postal Store. You pay only the Priority Mail postage, which depends on the package’s weight and the destination zone.
Is the USPS shoe box a flat rate box?
No. The Priority Mail Shoe Box is priced by weight and distance like any Priority Mail package, not at one flat price. If you need flat rate pricing for heavy boots or several pairs, use a Medium or Large Flat Rate Box, which costs the same at any weight up to 70 lbs.
What are the inside dimensions of the USPS shoe box?
The Priority Mail Shoe Box measures 14-3/8 × 5-1/8 × 7-1/4 inches inside and 14-7/8 × 5-1/4 × 7-3/8 inches outside, per the USPS Postal Store. That holds most retail boxes for adult sneakers and dress shoes, but tall boots and oversized packaging usually need a bigger box.
How long does shipping take in a USPS shoe box?
Because the Shoe Box must ship as Priority Mail, delivery usually takes 1 to 3 business days within the United States, and the price includes USPS Tracking and insurance up to $100. For overnight to 2-day delivery, the same box can be used with Priority Mail Express.
Sources
- USPS Postal Store: Priority Mail Shoe Box
- USPS Priority Mail service overview
- USPS Ground Advantage service overview
- USPS PO Box sizes
Part of our USPS Shipping Rates guide. Related: USPS Discounts, USPS Shipping Rates Calculator, USPS Shipping Calculator.
