Are you tired of shelling out your hard-earned cash on shipping supplies just to get your products out the door? As a business owner, you know that those costs can really start to eat into your profits over time. But what if I told you that one of the world‘s largest and most reliable shipping carriers, UPS, would give you all the boxes and packaging materials you need…for free?
It may sound too good to be true, but it‘s not. UPS really does offer a wide variety of free boxes, envelopes, labels and more to its customers. However, there is one catch – you need to have a UPS account and order the supplies online to get them at no cost.
Don‘t worry though, because I‘m here to walk you through the whole process from start to finish. As an expert in retail and consumer shipping with over a decade of experience, I‘ve learned all the tips and tricks for maximizing savings with UPS. And now, I‘m sharing that knowledge with you.
By the end of this ultimate guide, you‘ll know exactly how to sign up for a free UPS account, which supplies are available gratis, and how to place your order without spending an extra dime. Plus, I‘ll share some insider insights on how to make the most of UPS‘s generous packaging program to keep your shipping overhead low and your profits high. Let‘s get started!
The High Cost of Shipping Supplies (And How UPS Can Help)
If you‘re in the business of shipping physical products, you know that the cost of boxes, mailers, envelopes, and packing materials can really start to add up. In fact, a recent study by the National Retail Federation found that the average retailer spends a whopping $1.5 million per year on corrugated boxes and other shipping supplies.[^1] For small businesses and independent sellers, those costs can make up a significant portion of the overall shipping budget.
[^1]: National Retail Federation. (2022). 2022 Supply Chain Benchmarking Report. https://nrf.com/supply-chain-benchmarking-report-2022But here‘s the good news – UPS offers a way to drastically reduce or even eliminate your spending on shipping supplies. Through their packaging program, UPS provides free boxes, envelopes, labels and more to customers with a UPS account. And the best part? Signing up for an account is completely free.
That‘s right, by simply registering for a UPS account online, you can gain access to a vast library of high-quality packaging materials at no additional cost. Whether you need small express envelopes, large moving boxes, or anything in between, UPS has you covered.
What You Need to Know About UPS Accounts
Before we dive into the specifics of ordering your free supplies, let‘s take a quick moment to discuss UPS accounts and how they work. UPS offers several different account types depending on your shipping needs and volume, but for the purposes of getting free boxes, you‘ll want to focus on the following three:
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UPS Single Shipper Account: This is the most basic account type and is best suited for individuals or businesses that ship fewer than 50 packages per week. There are no monthly fees or minimum shipping requirements for this account.
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UPS Multi-Shipper Account: As the name suggests, this account type is designed for businesses with multiple employees who need to ship packages. It includes additional features like customizable billing options and multiple user access.
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UPS Managed Account: This is UPS‘s premier account offering for high-volume shippers sending more than 150 packages per week. It comes with dedicated account management, custom pricing, and other advanced features.
The good news is that all three of these account types are eligible for free packaging supplies from UPS. So no matter how big or small your shipping operation is, you can take advantage of this cost-saving program.
How to Order Free UPS Supplies in 3 Simple Steps
Now that you know what type of account you need, let‘s walk through the process of actually placing an order for your free boxes and supplies. It‘s a lot easier than you might think, and can be done in just a few minutes by following these three steps:
Step 1: Sign Up for a UPS Account
First things first, you‘ll need to head over to the UPS website at UPS.com and click on the "Sign Up" button in the top right corner of the page. From there, you‘ll be asked to fill in some basic information about yourself or your business, including your name, address, email, and phone number.
You‘ll also need to provide a credit card to keep on file, but don‘t worry – you won‘t be charged anything for signing up or ordering supplies. The card is just there to cover any future shipping costs.
Step 2: Navigate to the "Order Supplies" Page
Once your account is created, log in and hover over the "Shipping" tab at the top of the page. From the dropdown menu that appears, click on "Packaging and Shipping Supplies." On the next page, you‘ll see a few different options for ordering supplies – click on any of the brown "Order Supplies" buttons to continue.
Step 3: Select Your Free Boxes and Checkout
Now for the fun part – shopping for your free boxes! On the main supplies page, you‘ll see a variety of different packaging categories to choose from, including boxes, envelopes, paks, labels, and more. Simply click on a category to view all the available options, then tick the checkbox next to each item you want to add to your cart.
It‘s important to note that there are some limits on how many free supplies you can order at a time. Currently, UPS allows customers to order up to 25 of each item per week. However, you can place multiple orders per week if you need more than that.
Once you‘ve filled your cart with all the supplies you need, click the "Checkout" button to complete your order. Double check that your shipping address is correct, then submit the order – your free boxes will arrive at your door within 5-7 business days!
What If I Don‘t Have a UPS Account?
If you find yourself in a situation where you need boxes ASAP and don‘t have time to set up a UPS account, you can still purchase them at your local UPS Store. However, keep in mind that you‘ll be paying retail prices, which can vary quite a bit from store to store.
To give you a general idea of what you can expect to pay, here are some average price ranges for common box sizes at UPS Stores across the country:
| Box Size | Average Price Range |
|---|---|
| Small (8"x8"x8") | $1.50 – $2.50 each |
| Medium (11"x11"x11") | $2.00 – $3.00 each |
| Large (14"x14"x14") | $3.00 – $4.00 each |
| Extra Large (16"x16"x16") | $3.50 – $4.50 each |
As you can see, the prices aren‘t exorbitant, but they can start to add up if you‘re shipping a lot of packages. Your best bet is still to sign up for a free UPS account and order your supplies online to maximize your savings.
A Closer Look at UPS‘s Free Packaging Options
So what exactly can you get for free from UPS? The short answer is pretty much everything you need to ship your packages safely and securely. Here‘s a quick rundown of some of the most popular free packaging supplies available:
Boxes:
- Express Boxes (various sizes)
- Tube Boxes
- Laptop Boxes
- Hard-Sided Boxes
Envelopes and Paks:
- Express Envelopes (various sizes)
- Padded Paks
- Legal Envelopes
- Window Envelopes
Labels and Documents:
- Shipping Labels
- Pouches and Sleeves
- Customs Forms and Documents
In addition to these standard options, UPS also offers a range of specialized packaging supplies for specific shipping needs. For example, they have cold shipping boxes with insulated liners for perishable goods, as well as hazardous materials boxes for shipping potentially dangerous items.
All of UPS‘s packaging is designed to meet strict quality and durability standards, so you can rest assured that your products will arrive at their destination safely. Plus, many of the boxes and envelopes come with the signature UPS branding, which can give your shipments a professional and polished look.
Tips for Making the Most of UPS‘s Packaging Program
Now that you know how to get your hands on free boxes from UPS, let‘s talk about some ways to really maximize your savings and streamline your shipping process. Here are a few expert tips I‘ve learned over the years:
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Order in bulk. While UPS does limit the number of free supplies you can order each week, it‘s still a good idea to stock up as much as possible. This way, you‘ll always have boxes on hand when you need them and won‘t have to worry about running out or making extra trips to the store.
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Choose the right size box. Using a box that‘s too big for your product not only wastes materials, but it can also lead to higher shipping costs due to dimensional weight pricing. Always choose the smallest box that will safely fit your item to keep your costs down.
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Take advantage of flat rate shipping. UPS offers flat rate shipping options for many of their free packaging supplies, which can be a great way to save money if your items are heavy or oversized. For example, you can ship anything that fits in a UPS Express Box for a flat rate, regardless of weight.
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Reuse and recycle. Just because you got your boxes for free doesn‘t mean you have to use them once and toss them. Many of UPS‘s packaging materials are designed to be reused multiple times, which can help reduce waste and save you even more money in the long run.
By following these tips and taking full advantage of UPS‘s free packaging program, you can significantly reduce your shipping costs and keep more of your hard-earned profits in your pocket.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, shipping is a necessary expense for any business that sells physical products. But that doesn‘t mean you have to pay through the nose for boxes and packaging materials. By signing up for a free UPS account and taking advantage of their generous packaging program, you can save a bundle on shipping supplies without sacrificing quality or convenience.
Whether you‘re a small business owner just starting out or a seasoned ecommerce veteran, UPS‘s free boxes and supplies can help you streamline your shipping process, reduce your overhead costs, and ultimately boost your bottom line. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for your free account today and start saving!
