4 ms·

Yeah, that jumped out at me too. What could possibly be the reason for that? Who would enforce it?

rgovostes 6y ago
The USPS gives out flat-rate boxes for free. The assumption is of course that they'll recuperate the cost when you buy postage. But I have wondered if FedEx would accept a USPS box, and this "proprietary box size" thing makes me think no.
- Alupis 6y ago
  The USPS flat rate packaging actually says "Property of United States Postal Service. Misuse of this packaging is unlawful", or something to that end.
  - wyldfire 6y ago
    While that might cause the USPS dismay, the question was whether FedEx would accept/ship the package. Would FedEx reject the package for fear of frustrating USPS?
    - jeromegv 6y ago
      Canadian perspective, I have used those boxes within the Canadian system with Canada Post. This law is not applicable in Canada so once those USPS box make it all the way here, there's nothing they can do to prevent it from being used.
    - bombcar 6y ago
      No shippers besides USPS cares. UPS and FedEx will happily ship those and their competitors’ boxes.
  - rascul 6y ago
    Exact wording: This packaging is the property of the U.S. Postal Service® and is provided solely for use in sending Priority Mail® shipments. Misuse may be a violation of federal law. This packaging is not for resale.
    - asadlionpk 6y ago
      > Misuse may be a violation of federal law. Why does it say "may". Is it or is it not? I guess depends on the misuse?
      - TeMPOraL 6y ago
        I understand it to mean: "out of likely misuses, some are actual violations of US federal law - so think twice before you decide to do something clever with this box".
- gmiller123456 6y ago
  A guy actually used a bunch of FedEx boxes to furnish his house. FedEx was not amused. I kinda remember even the Simpsons had and episode with something similar (they built a fort from UPS boxes). https://www.wired.com/2005/08/furniture-causes-fedex-fits/ https://www.wired.com/2005/08/furniture-causes-fedex-fits/
- dawnerd 6y ago
  I've had an eBay order arrive via Fedex in a flat rate box. I doubt anyone at Fedex cares as long as the label scans. I've also seen USPS labels printed on the free "UPS USE ONLY" thermal labels.

The USPS gives out flat-rate boxes for free. The assumption is of course that they'll recuperate the cost when you buy postage. But I have wondered if FedEx would accept a USPS box, and this "proprietary box size" thing makes me think no.

Alupis 6y ago
The USPS flat rate packaging actually says "Property of United States Postal Service. Misuse of this packaging is unlawful", or something to that end.
- wyldfire 6y ago
  While that might cause the USPS dismay, the question was whether FedEx would accept/ship the package. Would FedEx reject the package for fear of frustrating USPS?
  - jeromegv 6y ago
    Canadian perspective, I have used those boxes within the Canadian system with Canada Post. This law is not applicable in Canada so once those USPS box make it all the way here, there's nothing they can do to prevent it from being used.
  - bombcar 6y ago
    No shippers besides USPS cares. UPS and FedEx will happily ship those and their competitors’ boxes.
- rascul 6y ago
  Exact wording: This packaging is the property of the U.S. Postal Service® and is provided solely for use in sending Priority Mail® shipments. Misuse may be a violation of federal law. This packaging is not for resale.
  - asadlionpk 6y ago
    > Misuse may be a violation of federal law. Why does it say "may". Is it or is it not? I guess depends on the misuse?
    - TeMPOraL 6y ago
      I understand it to mean: "out of likely misuses, some are actual violations of US federal law - so think twice before you decide to do something clever with this box".
gmiller123456 6y ago
A guy actually used a bunch of FedEx boxes to furnish his house. FedEx was not amused. I kinda remember even the Simpsons had and episode with something similar (they built a fort from UPS boxes). https://www.wired.com/2005/08/furniture-causes-fedex-fits/ https://www.wired.com/2005/08/furniture-causes-fedex-fits/
dawnerd 6y ago
I've had an eBay order arrive via Fedex in a flat rate box. I doubt anyone at Fedex cares as long as the label scans. I've also seen USPS labels printed on the free "UPS USE ONLY" thermal labels.