Select Zone…
Zone 1 & 2 (Local / Close)
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9 (Deep Remote)
Cost Breakdown
Rate per Box (Zone Based):$0.00
Handling Fee per Box:$0.00
Total Boxes:0
Total Estimated Cost:$0.00
function calculateShipping() {
var zoneRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById("shippingZone").value);
var quantity = parseInt(document.getElementById("boxQuantity").value);
var handling = parseFloat(document.getElementById("handlingFee").value);
// Validation
if (isNaN(zoneRate) || zoneRate === 0) {
alert("Please select a valid Destination Zone.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(quantity) || quantity < 1) {
alert("Please enter a valid number of boxes (minimum 1).");
return;
}
if (isNaN(handling)) {
handling = 0;
}
// Calculation
var totalRatePerBox = zoneRate + handling;
var totalCost = totalRatePerBox * quantity;
// Display Results
document.getElementById("displayRate").textContent = "$" + zoneRate.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("displayHandling").textContent = "$" + handling.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("displayQuantity").textContent = quantity;
document.getElementById("displayTotal").textContent = "$" + totalCost.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("result").style.display = "block";
}
Understanding the Regional Rate Box A
The Regional Rate Box A Price Calculator is designed for eCommerce merchants and shippers who utilize region-based pricing models. Historically, USPS Regional Rate Boxes offered a unique hybrid between flat-rate shipping and weight-based shipping. The cost is determined strictly by the distance (Zone) the package travels, provided the weight does not exceed the limit.
Important Update: As of January 2023, USPS officially discontinued the Regional Rate Box service. These boxes are now treated as Priority Mail based on weight and dimensions. This calculator utilizes the last known commercial base rates for reference, helping shippers compare legacy costs or estimate pricing for similar zone-based regional courier services.
Box A Specifications
Regional Rate Box A was one of the most popular options for dense, heavy items. The key specifications included:
Max Weight: 15 lbs.
Pricing Model: Zone-based (Distance).
Top Loading Box Dimensions: 10″ x 7″ x 4-3/4″.
Side Loading Box Dimensions: 10-15/16″ x 2-3/8″ x 12-13/16″.
If you fit 15 lbs of product into a Box A, you paid the low 2-lb Priority Mail rate equivalent for that zone, resulting in massive savings compared to standard weight-based shipping.
How Zones Affect Shipping Costs
Shipping costs in the United States are largely dictated by "Zones." A Zone is not a specific geographic region (like the Midwest), but rather a measure of distance from the origin zip code to the destination zip code.
Zone 1 & 2: Within a roughly 150-mile radius. This is the cheapest tier.
Zone 4 & 5: Mid-distance domestic shipping.
Zone 8 & 9: Cross-country shipping or offshore (e.g., Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico), representing the highest cost.
Using this calculator allows you to estimate the financial impact of shipping inventory to different zones. For businesses attempting to optimize logistics, distributing inventory to fulfillment centers closer to customers (reducing the Zone) is the most effective way to lower shipping expenses.
Why Calculate Regional Rates?
Even with the service technically retired, understanding the math behind Regional Rate Box A is critical for historical auditing and comparison. Many third-party logistics (3PL) providers and private regional carriers still use "Zone + Weight Cap" logic similar to Box A. By inputting your zone and handling fees above, you can benchmark your current shipping contracts against this highly efficient legacy standard.