USPS Ready Post (spelled ReadyPost by USPS) is the Postal Service’s own line of paid shipping supplies, such as boxes, bubble mailers and packing material, sold in Post Office lobbies and on The Postal Store at store.usps.com. It isn’t a shipping service: you buy the packaging, then pay postage for whichever USPS service you choose. Unlike the free Priority Mail boxes, ReadyPost packaging can be used with USPS Ground Advantage, First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express and international services.
This guide covers what ReadyPost includes, how it differs from free USPS boxes, where to buy it and how to pick a service for a ReadyPost package. For an overview of every USPS service, see our guide to USPS services, tiers and transit times.
What Is USPS Ready Post?
ReadyPost is a retail packaging brand, not a mail class. You’ll usually find it on a “Shipping Supplies” display in the Post Office lobby, next to the free Priority Mail boxes and envelopes. The Postal Store sells many of the same products online, typically in multi-packs.
Because you pay for the packaging, there are no service restrictions printed on it. That’s the main reason people choose it: a ReadyPost box can go by the cheapest service that fits the delivery deadline, instead of being tied to Priority Mail.
What Supplies Does USPS Ready Post Include?
The range varies by Post Office and changes over time, but it covers the basics for shipping most small and medium items. The Postal Store currently lists products such as these.
| ReadyPost product | Example listed on The Postal Store | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Mailing cartons (boxes) | Medium mailing cartons, 15 x 12 x 10 in, pack of 20 | Clothing, books, household goods, gifts |
| Bubble mailers, large | Inside 12-1/4 x 17-3/4 in, self-sealing flap, pack of 36 | Soft goods, small electronics accessories, documents that mustn’t bend |
| Bubble mailers, small | Pack of 24 | Jewelry, phone cases, small parts |
| Bubble packing material | Pack of 10 | Cushioning fragile items inside a box |
Post Office lobbies often add envelopes, tubes, tape and occasional seasonal designs, such as the Valentine’s Day boxes and mailers USPS has sold at select Post Offices while supplies last. If your box ends up close to a size limit, check it against our USPS shoe box shipping guide or measure before you buy. If you’re mailing a gift for February 14, our Valentine’s Day shipping guide covers when to send it so it arrives on time.
How Is Ready Post Different From Free USPS Boxes?
USPS gives away Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express packaging, but those boxes and envelopes may only be used for the service printed on them. ReadyPost costs money up front and can be used with any service.
| Feature | ReadyPost supplies | Free Priority Mail supplies |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of packaging | Paid | Free |
| Services you can use | Any USPS service, domestic or international | Only the Priority service printed on the packaging |
| Where to get it | Post Office lobby, The Postal Store | Post Office lobby, free online order from USPS |
| Flat Rate option | No | Yes, with Flat Rate boxes and envelopes |
Free Flat Rate boxes make sense for heavy, dense items going far, and our guide to Priority Mail Flat Rate savings tips explains when that math works. For a light item that isn’t urgent, a ReadyPost mailer sent by Ground Advantage is often the better choice. Any plain box you already have works too, as long as it’s sturdy and free of old labels.
Where Can You Buy USPS Ready Post Supplies?
There are two official places to buy ReadyPost packaging, and each suits a different need.
- Post Office lobby: buy one box or mailer when you need it, then pay postage at the counter or a self-service kiosk. Stock varies by location.
- The Postal Store (store.usps.com): order multi-packs online for delivery. The store ships to U.S. addresses, APO/FPO/DPO addresses and U.S. territories, but not abroad.
Questions about free supply orders go to USPS’s shipping supplies line at 1-800-610-8734, Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET and Saturday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. Postal Store orders have their own line at 1-844-737-7826.
Which USPS Service Should You Use With Ready Post Packaging?
Because ReadyPost isn’t tied to a service, pick the one that matches your weight, size and deadline. These are USPS’s current domestic delivery commitments and limits.
| Service | Expected delivery | Weight / size limit | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Ground Advantage | 2-5 days | 70 lb, 130 in length plus girth | Most non-urgent packages, especially under 1 lb |
| Priority Mail | 2-3 days | 70 lb, 108 in length plus girth | Faster delivery with tracking and included insurance |
| Priority Mail Express | 1-3 days, money-back guarantee | 70 lb, 108 in length plus girth | Deadlines that can’t slip |
A ReadyPost document envelope can also go by First-Class Mail as a large envelope (flat) up to 13 oz, as long as it stays flat and flexible. Ground Advantage includes USPS Tracking and insurance up to $100, and Priority Mail includes tracking and insurance up to $100 for most shipments. Our comparison of USPS Priority Mail vs Ground Advantage goes deeper on choosing between the two, and our guides to USPS Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express cover each service on its own.
Can You Ship Internationally in Ready Post Packaging?
Yes. USPS lists ReadyPost packaging as eligible for international services such as Priority Mail International and Priority Mail Express International. You’ll need a completed customs form, and some contents are restricted by destination.
International postage depends on the destination country, weight and size, so compare options before you pack. Our guide to USPS international shipping by country explains how the services differ.
How Do You Ship a Ready Post Package for Less?
The packaging is only part of the cost. These steps keep the postage side down, too.
- Use the smallest box that protects the item. Size matters for larger packages, so an oversized carton can raise postage.
- Weigh and measure before you buy postage. Exact weight and dimensions avoid adjustments later.
- Print the label online. Online postage usually costs less than paying at the counter. Our guide to shipping labels covers how to attach one to a mailer or box.
- Insure what you can’t replace. Coverage beyond the included amount is an extra service, and our guide to USPS insurance coverage explains the options.
With ParcelPath, you can print USPS labels for a ReadyPost box or mailer for free, with up to 89% off USPS and up to 85% off UPS, and no subscription or per-label fee. Compare services for your exact package in the ParcelPath rate calculator, then drop it off or schedule a free USPS pickup. You can also skip the printer: USPS Label Broker lets you show a QR code at the Post Office and have the label printed there.
For more on USPS weight limits, services and drop-off options, see our USPS shipping overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is USPS Ready Post free?
No. ReadyPost boxes, mailers and packing materials are paid supplies sold at Post Offices and on The Postal Store. The free packaging USPS offers is the Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express range, which may only be used for those services. ReadyPost’s advantage is flexibility: it works with any USPS service you choose.
Can I use a Ready Post box for USPS Ground Advantage?
Yes. USPS lists ReadyPost packaging as usable with USPS Ground Advantage, First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express and international services. Ground Advantage takes packages up to 70 lb and 130 inches in combined length and girth, with delivery expected in 2-5 days and tracking included.
Does USPS still sell Ready Post supplies?
Yes. The Postal Store at store.usps.com lists ReadyPost products such as medium mailing cartons, large and small bubble mailers and bubble packing material, and many Post Office lobbies stock them on a shipping supplies display. Selection varies by location, so check the store online if your Post Office is out.
Can I order Ready Post supplies online?
Yes, through The Postal Store, which sells ReadyPost products in multi-packs, for example a pack of 36 large bubble mailers. Orders ship to U.S. addresses, APO/FPO/DPO addresses and U.S. territories, but not to foreign addresses. In-stock orders include USPS Tracking.
Sources
- The Postal Store: ReadyPost Large Bubble Mailers
- USPS: Ground Advantage
- USPS: Priority Mail
- USPS: Contact Us (supplies and Postal Store lines)
- USPS Link: Valentine’s Day ReadyPost supplies
Part of our USPS Services guide. Related: Ground Advantage, USPS Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express.
