UPS Free Shipping Supplies: How to Get Free UPS Boxes and Envelopes
Yes, UPS gives free shipping supplies — boxes, envelopes, labels and pouches — to people who ship with UPS. You order them on ups.com with a free UPS.com username, and they usually arrive within a few business days. Two limits matter. Since November 2025, how much you can order depends on how much you ship with UPS. And UPS's free Express boxes and envelopes are only for UPS air services: you can't use them for UPS Ground. For Ground, use your own box.
How to order free UPS supplies
- Sign in to ups.com, or create a free UPS.com username. UPS requires one to order supplies.
- Open the Order Supplies page (Shipping → Order Supplies).
- Pick what you need. The list shows each box, envelope and tube with its size.
- Choose quantities. UPS may limit how many you can order, based on your recent shipping.
- Submit the order. After it goes through, you can save up to 10 items to a Quick List to reorder fast.
What you can get from UPS
UPS suggests most people start with an Express box or envelope, a shipping label and a clear pouch.
- Boxes and packaging: Express boxes, tubes and other UPS packaging
- Express envelopes: for documents and urgent paperwork
- Pouches: clear sleeves that hold a paper label on the box
- Shipping labels and stickers, including warning labels
- Shipping forms: waybills, tracking labels and other forms
- Hazmat supplies: shipping papers for ground and air packages sent under 49 CFR rules
The November 2025 rule: free supplies depend on your shipping
UPS changed its Customer Supplies Policy in November 2025. New customers get a first batch of free supplies. After that, whether you keep getting them depends on how much you ship with UPS and how much of what you ordered you actually use. If you order far more than you ship, UPS can cut your access.
- Full Access: you can order every supply on ups.com
- Limited Access: general supplies only — no supplies meant only for UPS Express shipments
- No Access: you can't order supplies on ups.com
💡 If your access was cut but you do ship with UPS, contact UPS Customer Service or your UPS account executive and ask them to review your account.
Can you use free UPS boxes for UPS Ground?
No. UPS's Terms and Conditions say UPS Express Envelopes, Express Paks, Express Boxes, Express Tubes and the 10 KG and 25 KG boxes may not be used for UPS Ground, UPS Standard, UPS 3 Day Select or UPS Worldwide Expedited. Those free boxes are for UPS's air Express services, such as Next Day Air.
The same terms say all UPS-provided supplies are only for shipping with UPS. You can't use them for USPS, FedEx or anything else.
For UPS Ground, ship in your own box, or buy one at The UPS Store, which sells boxes, tape and packing help.
UPS Simple Rate: flat rates in your own box
If you want a flat price instead of free boxes, look at UPS Simple Rate. You pay one price based on the size of the box, not the distance. You can use any box or mailer up to 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches) and 50 lbs, ship to all 50 states, and you don't need a UPS account. Starting prices on ups.com:
- Extra Small (1–100 cubic inches, e.g. 6 x 4 x 4 in): from $12.20
- Small (101–250 cubic inches, e.g. 8 x 6 x 5 in): from $15.80
- Medium (251–650 cubic inches, e.g. 12 x 9 x 6 in): from $18.95
- Large (651–1,050 cubic inches, e.g. 10 x 10 x 10 in): from $24.85
- Extra Large (1,051–1,728 cubic inches, e.g. 12 x 12 x 12 in): from $30.95
ℹ️ Simple Rate labels are made online. The UPS Store will accept a package with a Simple Rate label or mobile barcode, but it can't create a Simple Rate label for you in the store.
UPS vs USPS free supplies
USPS also gives free boxes and envelopes, but only for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express, ordered from the Postal Store. The rule is the same in spirit: the free box must go with the service it was made for. If you mostly ship small, light parcels, USPS Ground Advantage in your own box is often cheaper than either carrier's free-box services.
Frequently asked questions
Does UPS give free boxes? Yes, to customers who ship with UPS, ordered on ups.com. Since November 2025 the amount depends on your shipping activity, and the free Express boxes are for UPS air services only.
Do I need a UPS account to order supplies? You need a UPS.com username, which is free. Some supply access depends on your shipping history with UPS.
Are boxes free at The UPS Store? No. The UPS Store sells boxes, tape and packing services. Free UPS supplies are ordered online.
How long do UPS supplies take to arrive? UPS says orders typically arrive within a few business days.
Can I use a UPS box for USPS? No. UPS's terms say UPS-provided supplies may only be used to ship with UPS.