Shipping Cigars and the USPS....

B

BirdDok

Monkeying around
:bn
I just read this story - the USPS now says it is illegal to reuse their priority and express mail boxes! Since many of us use the USPS to send cigars and some of us do reuse boxes (I reuse as much as possible to for environmental reasons), I thought I would post the link. I doubt that this will become a major issue for people reusing these boxes, but you never know.....

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/16072154/detail.html

"A Castle Rock man says he was accused of violating postal regulations for reusing a United States Postal Service priority mail cardboard box to send something."
 
Re: Shipping Cigars and the the USPS....

BirdDok said:
:bn
I just read this story - the USPS now says it is illegal to reuse their priority and express mail boxes! Since many of us use the USPS to send cigars and some of us do reuse boxes (I reuse as much as possible to for environmental reasons), I thought I would post the link. I doubt that this will become a major issue for people reusing these boxes, but you never know.....

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/16072154/detail.html

"A Castle Rock man says he was accused of violating postal regulations for reusing a United States Postal Service priority mail cardboard box to send something."
Click to expand...

He was reusing it for a package shipped at a slower, cheaper service.
I don't think it would have been an issue if he had used it for Priority mail again...
 
Re: Shipping Cigars and the the USPS....

mmblz said:
He was reusing it for a package shipped at a slower, cheaper service.
I don't think it would have been an issue if he had used it for Priority mail again...
Click to expand...
:tpd:

It is fine if you are sending it Priority again. You can't use a PM box for first class though.
 
Re: Shipping Cigars and the the USPS....

man says he was accused of violating postal regulations

I am not sure this is actually illegal, just against policy. The story did not give any statute or possible sentence for doing this. It may be like using scotch tape on a package, USPS won't let you do it, but it's not illegal. The only way I can see this as being illegal is if the Post Office is claiming the boxes are their property. That seems to be a tough argument to win if the boxes are freely given away without any intent to have them returned.

FWIW I reuse the boxes and I will continue to do so. I guess you guys can all look at my ugly mug on the wanted wall next time you are in the post office.
 
Re: Shipping Cigars and the the USPS....

I won't ever understand the point of re-using the boxes when you can go online and get new ones whenever you want- FOR FREE.
Scott
 
Re: Shipping Cigars and the the USPS....

Poriggity said:
I won't ever understand the point of re-using the boxes when you can go online and get new ones whenever you want- FOR FREE.
Scott
Click to expand...

For me, it's a matter of reducing my own impact on the environment. The less new stuff I use, the less that goes into a landfill, etc. However, although I do believe that there is a global warming issue we all need to address, I'm not going to stop smoking cigars to reduce my carbon footprint!:ss
 
Re: Shipping Cigars and the the USPS....

Poriggity said:
I won't ever understand the point of re-using the boxes when you can go online and get new ones whenever you want- FOR FREE.
Scott
Click to expand...


I'm no tree-hugger, but I feel that not reusing boxes is just wasteful. Same with grocery bags.

I even reuse toilet paper if it ain't very poopy.






































J/K :D
 
Re: Shipping Cigars and the the USPS....

Just wrap the used Priority box with an old brown paper grocery bag. Then you can mail it any way you wish, and your recycling two things. I have sent many things this way.
 
Re: Shipping Cigars and the the USPS....

Think they can tell me how to use garbage?!?

I'm going to dig a bunch of those boxes out of their trash and build a fort. I'd like to see them take it!
 
Re: Shipping Cigars and the the USPS....

I work at the Post Office and there is no rule about re-using boxes. It just has to be priority mail. It's all about the labeling and how it is processed. Be sure to remove as much old labeling as possible so it doesn't come back to you.
 
Re: Shipping Cigars and the the USPS....

If you look at the inside of priority mail boxes they are usually marked with something about them being for priority mail only. This is supposed to keep you from flipping them inside out and sending at a cheaper rate.

But still, what this guy did is just recycling! It's not like he ordered a bunch of free boxes and flipped them inside out for a cheaper rate.
 
Re: Shipping Cigars and the the USPS....

cbsmokin said:
I am not sure this is actually illegal, just against policy. The story did not give any statute or possible sentence for doing this. It may be like using scotch tape on a package, USPS won't let you do it, but it's not illegal. The only way I can see this as being illegal is if the Post Office is claiming the boxes are their property. That seems to be a tough argument to win if the boxes are freely given away without any intent to have them returned.
Click to expand...

From the USPS website:

Terms of Agreement

I understand that Express Mail, Priority Mail, Global Express Guaranteed, Global Express Mail and Global Priority Mail packaging is the property of the United States Postal Service and is provided solely for sending Express Mail, Priority Mail, Global Express Guaranteed, Global Express Mail and Global Priority Mail. Misuse may be a violation of federal law.
Click to expand...
 
Re: Shipping Cigars and the the USPS....

I'm not sure how "free" the priority mail boxes are. I returned some parts this am via Priority Mail. There were two ways I could ship the parts using "Click & Ship". One option, just Priority Mail (using a generic box I had on hand). The other option, Priority Mail using the "free" Priority Mail boxes. It was around $2.60 or so more expensive if you checked the box using the Priority Mail boxes. Both choices had insurance and delivery confirmation. This was for an 8 oz. package with an insurance value of $85.00 going from WY to PA.

Maybe I'm looking at it wrong???

WyoBob
 
Re: Shipping Cigars and the the USPS....

As you work at the post office....

The last time I shipped a few bombs I casually mentioned that they were cigars (I did not use the "B" word :) ) lady said it was against somebody's regs (USPS, ATF, ???) to ship tobacco. I did not see it on the poster so I popped it into the blue box outside. Any truth to that? I know cigarettes can get you into bootlegging issues say from NC or VA up to NY.

CigarGal said:
I work at the Post Office and there is no rule about re-using boxes. It just has to be priority mail. It's all about the labeling and how it is processed. Be sure to remove as much old labeling as possible so it doesn't come back to you.
Click to expand...
 
Re: Shipping Cigars and the the USPS....

WyoBob said:
I'm not sure how "free" the priority mail boxes are. I returned some parts this am via Priority Mail. There were two ways I could ship the parts using "Click & Ship". One option, just Priority Mail (using a generic box I had on hand). The other option, Priority Mail using the "free" Priority Mail boxes. It was around $2.60 or so more expensive if you checked the box using the Priority Mail boxes. Both choices had insurance and delivery confirmation. This was for an 8 oz. package with an insurance value of $85.00 going from WY to PA.

Maybe I'm looking at it wrong???

WyoBob
Click to expand...

Are you sure you're not looking at the flat-rate box prices? I have never seen any options for generic vs regular PM boxes. The flat-rate boxes are more expensive to ship unless you have something heavy in them.
 
DANG!

All one has to do is log on to the USPS website & request them to deliver all the packaging anyone needs . . and it's for free so long as you're using USPS for the shipping and paying the appropriate shipping charges.
 
Re: Shipping Cigars and the the USPS....

Volt said:
As you work at the post office....

The last time I shipped a few bombs I casually mentioned that they were cigars (I did not use the "B" word :) ) lady said it was against somebody's regs (USPS, ATF, ???) to ship tobacco. I did not see it on the poster so I popped it into the blue box outside. Any truth to that? I know cigarettes can get you into bootlegging issues say from NC or VA up to NY.
Click to expand...

No one in our town ships out or receives more tobacco products than moi! And my boss knows what I am doing. She is a great PM and would not let me do it if it is illegal. Can't send tobacco to Canada, though. I can look at the haz/mat list to make sure.

I read the Denver article and saw that the fellow was turning the boxes inside out and I assume shipping first class(cheaper rate.) This would probably be illegal because his package could end up in a priority mail bag and shipped at greater cost to the Post Office than what the customer paid. Some call this fraud. The boxes are not free-the cost is incorporated into the shipping rate. I have never seen a difference in a click and ship and one that we process. I will look into that as well. The Post Office really encourages the use of click and ship so maybe they offer a special rate.

Also, first and foremost, the Post Office is a retailer. They need to make enough money so they can continue to deliver your mail to your door each day. They sell regular boxes and packing products for regular shipping so it is all about making a buck-bottom line. I have used and re-used all possible types of containers and never had one refused, so I don't think they are being unreasonable here. Think about what the world would be like if we didn't have free mail delivery. Yes, it cost something to send it-but your postman drops it off at your house everyday-at no charge to you.
 
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