Depending on which carrier you plan to use, shipping a tube is a bit different from sending a normal package. Here's what you need to know:
Select "Tube or Irregular Packaging" from the Type of Packaging drop-down menu
Select Tube or Irregular Packaging: Whether you plan on shipping with USPS® or UPS®, you need to select "Tube or Irregular Packaging" from the Type of Packaging drop-down menu when creating a single label.
Here's how that looks:
Entering a tube's dimensions: When entering your tube's dimensions, treat it as though it were a three-dimensional box 😉 You'll need to measure its Length, Width, and Height.
Minimum dimension requirements
Tubes are subject to minimum dimension requirements: If you're having trouble buying a label for your tube, it could be because your dimensions don't meet the minimum package requirements.
The minimum dimensions a package can be are 6x3x0.25". When entering your info, changing one of your tube's dimensions to 3" should let you proceed with purchasing your label.
For example, if your tube's measurements are 20x2x2", you can enter the dimensions as 20x3x2" when creating your label in Pirate Ship.
Shipping a tube with USPS
Use the service marked on the tube: If you're using a USPS-branded Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express Tube, make sure to select the corresponding service from the "Choose a Service" dropdown once you click Get Rates.
For example, if you're using a Priority Mail Express-branded tube, you need to buy Priority Mail Express postage.
No cubic rates available: You can't use tubes for some USPS services such as Priority Mail Cubic. Selecting "Tube or Irregular Packaging" will remove Cubic as an option when you Get Rates 👍
USPS nonstandard fees will apply
Tubes incur USPS nonstandard fees: Shipping tubes with USPS will incur nonstandard fees, which are extra costs that you'll need to pay on top of your postage.
Nonstandard characteristics fee: Any tubes under 30 inches will incur a $4 nonstandard characteristics fee when you ship with USPS. This will be applied on top of your label cost before you purchase the label.
Dimension-based nonstandard fees: Tubes over 30 inches in length will incur dimension-based nonstandard fees instead of the $4 nonstandard characteristics fee. For Ground Advantage, this fee is $8.40. For Priority Mail, this fee is $18.
Learn more about the USPS nonstandard fees you may incur.
Shipping a tube with UPS
Select "Tube or Irregular Packaging" when shipping with UPS: For UPS, the same process applies. Select the "Tube or Irregular Packaging" type from the Type of Packaging dropdown menu.
Next, enter the dimensions like the tube a rectangular box, and you're good to go 👌
If you're using the branded UPS Express Tube, select it from the Type of Packaging drop-down menu when creating a single label and select the "Irregular Package" checkbox toward the bottom of the page.
Here's what you'll need to look for in that case:
Tubes may incur UPS surcharges: Tubes may trigger an Additional Handling surcharge that you'll need to pay on top of your original postage. Since UPS needs to sort these unbalanced packages by hand, they impose an adjustment on your account for the extra cost.
Learn more about UPS surcharges on Pirate Ship.