[pct-l] Mailing drop boxes

[Steven dvsteven]

The answer to the below question should be as follows:
 
Yes you can forward the package free of charge if it was unopened and mailed Prioity mail.  The Post Office has 4 package sizes for prioity mail (from $4.95 to $14.95) and have free boxes available at all PO's (or you can order them online, free of charge delivered to your door).
 
You can even mail fuel cannisters with them but you have to state that they are for ground transportation only (they'll try to tell you that you can't but it's in the regulations that you can).
 
If you open it you have to pay for it again though. 
 
Flying Tortoise
 
--Forwarded Message Attachment--
From: amuddler2 at gmail.com
To: Pct-L at backcountry.net
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 2010 11:00:08 -0800
Subject: [pct-l] Bounced packages--no "free lunch"?

Hi,
 
I just today phoned the USPO (national office) with a question and was
surprised at the answer. My question was:
Hypothetically, if I were to take delivery of a package at a USPO in San
Francisco and, not immediately needing the contents, could I forward said
package, unopened, to myself at a USPO in Portland, free of charge?". The
answer was "Yes, but only if you re-package the box and pay postage on it
(again)".
 
This is not consistent with the information I thought I had been hearing on
this site and elsewhere. Did I ask the wrong question, word it incorrectly,
misunderstand the nature of "bounce box" mailing, or was the USPO official
with whom I spoke uninformed?
 
Also, which might be the better and cheaper options for mailing (box sizes,
weights, etc.) and is it a hassle to mail butane canisters? Any other
mailing advice would be appreciated.
 
Thanks.
 
Amuddler