A shipping and handling fee is charged for every forwarding request. This fee covers postage, packaging, handling, and processing costs. The sections below explain how shipping is calculated and when additional fees may apply.

POSTAGE

Postage is the base cost charged by the shipping carrier and varies based on factors such as:
  • Carrier and service level
  • Destination (domestic or international)
  • Weight, size, and contents
  • Packaging requirements
  • Insurance or delivery instructions
  • Day of the week the shipment is delivered
Freedom Mailbox® uses commercial shipping partnerships and passes discounted postage rates on to customers.

Shipping label pricing includes:

  • A service markup for processing, systems, and support
  • A buffer for carrier adjustments (re-weighing, re-measuring, or special handling) to prevent unexpected rebilling after delivery

Express & Overnight Shipments

Express and overnight shipments are subject to strict carrier cutoff times. The time in which a request is marked as complete and when the carrier actually receives the shipment are different. As a general rule, express and overnight forwarding requests will be received by the carrier on the following business day.

Saturday delivery is not standard for most overnight services and may result in additional carrier or handling fees. Any Saturday delivery requested or required will incur the applicable Saturday handling fee.

Forwarding requests are processed as operationally feasible and are not guaranteed to be completed the same day they are submitted.

International Shipments & Customs

International is defined by any shipment leaving the United States to get to the destination country. International shipments require a completed customs declaration.

By submitting a forwarding request, you authorize Freedom Mailbox to open packages as necessary to verify contents for shipping or customs compliance.

If the contents of a shipment have been provided, they must be described accurately and specifically. Freedom Mailbox® is not responsible for delays, rejections, seizures, fines, or returned shipments resulting from inaccurate or incomplete customs descriptions.

Customs delays are outside our control.

Customer-Provided Shipping Labels

Customers may supply their own shipping labels with prior approval from Freedom Mailbox®.

Accepted carriers:

  • USPS
  • UPS
  • FedEx
  • DHL

Handling fees still apply to all customer-provided labels (see Handling Fees below).

Freedom Mailbox® is not responsible for delivery issues, delays, or carrier errors related to customer-provided shipping labels.

HANDLING

Handling fees apply per shipment and are charged in addition to postage.

Standard Handling Fees

  • $3.00 — Continental U.S. shipments containing only flat documents, 8 oz or less
  • $5.00 — All other shipments

Packaging & Shipping Methods

Mail is packaged using standard envelopes whenever possible to minimize cost.

Freedom Mailbox staff may:

  • Select the most economical shipping method
  • Change the requested shipping method if required to comply with carrier size, weight, or safety restrictions
  • Split shipments into multiple packages when size or weight limits apply

Items that do not fit standard envelopes may require special packaging or be upgraded to a higher service level per carrier rules.

Special Packaging & Handling Fees

Additional fees apply when special packaging or handling is required. Common examples include:
  • Using existing box or packaging — $5.00
  • Saturday delivery for express shipments — $15.00
  • Packaging contents over 5 lbs — $10.00
  • Package size up to 84" (L + 2W + 2H) — $15.00
  • Package size 85"–108" — $20.00
  • Package size 109"–130" — $25.00

If multiple conditions apply, the highest applicable fee will be charged.

If a shipment falls outside these categories, we may contact you before forwarding to confirm fees or options. If we do not receive a response within a reasonable time (typically 1–2 business days), the forwarding request may be delayed, modified, or canceled.

Consolidated Packing

Consolidation is not guaranteed and depends on item size, weight, and packaging limitations.
  • Maximum consolidation box size: 20" × 20" × 20"
  • If items exceed this size, shipments may be split or sent individually using original packaging

Minimum Fees

All shipments are subject to a minimum total charge if postage and handling fall below the amounts listed:
  • $4.95 — Shipments within the U.S. (including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico)
  • $14.95 — Shipments outside the U.S.
  • $9.95 — Customer-provided shipping labels

Minimum fees apply regardless of actual postage or handling costs.

Carrier Performance Disclaimer

Freedom Mailbox® is not responsible for carrier delivery delays, missed delivery windows, or service failures once a shipment is tendered to the carrier.

No Refunds on Processed Shipments

Once a shipment has been processed or tendered to a carrier, shipping and handling fees are non-refundable. Freedom Mailbox®'s records, measurements, and shipment classifications are final for billing and processing purposes.

All rates posted are subject to change without notice.

Policy last modified on January 01, 2026