Shipping PayPal Flat Rate Box?

[greyfox47]

I recently sold an item online where I accepted PayPal for payment. When I clicked on the link to create a shipping label, a screen came up that was largely filled in assuming I would use a medium box and USPS flat rate. My question concerns the matter of a box. Do I have to use an USPS Priority Mail flat rate box or can I use any box of my choosing as long as it is no larger than the medium box that was recommended? I also noticed that the price quoted by PayPal was less than the amount on the USPS website for a non USPS Flat Rate box. Thanks in advance. 

[DPCreations]

The postage class and box that shows as default, is just that, the default.  It isn't a recommendation; it's just the top of the list when the programmers made the site.

Select whatever option is best for your business.  Priority Mail Flat Rate does require use of special boxes.  You can use any box you want for standard Priority Mail; just make sure you mark the box with Priority Mail tape.

PayPal (Pitney Bowes) does offer a discount.  It used to be the USPS.com offered the discount, but that has been discontinued.

[greyfox47]

So, okay, if I understand you correctly, to take advantage of the rate that displays when I hit "Calculate Rate," it is the USPS Flat Rate based on the assumption that I'm using the USPS Flat Rate box and not one of my own. The slight difference in price must be the small charge USPS charges for the box? However, if I went out and found a suitable box, I could still ship Priority Mail, but it would be at the USPS Priority rate where I don't use one of the Flat Rate boxes. Hope I've got it right. Thanks for the clarification. 

[DPCreations]

A Flat Rate box has advantages as the price is not based on distance and weight.  A regular Priority rate is based both on distance and weight.  So it depends on what you ship.  Small heavy items (over about 4 pound) and greater distances will generally be less expense than weight and distance based rates.  It depends on your product, so try out difference optiosn to find out which is best.  You might be able to get a couple Flat Rate boxes at your local PO if they have them loose in the lobby.  You can order them free of charge directly from USPS.com.

[Whac-A-Mole]

If you pay priority flat rate-large,medium,small,envelope,you must use USPS provided priority box/envelope.