The USPS is discontinuing the medium size tubes for shipping long narrow items effective immediately, but shippers can order them while supplies last.
The Postal Service said it based the decision to stop offering the “Dual-Use Priority Mail/Priority Mail Express Medium Tube Box” on an analysis of its packaging and usage. It said simplifying its packaging offerings is part of the Delivering for America plan, the brainchild of Postmaster General DeJoy.
Many online sellers had for decades found USPS Priority Mail a favored shipping option in part due to the availability of free boxes. But in recent years, mailing items in tubes (USPS-branded or otherwise) had become a problem. Sellers began reporting unreliable delivery of tubes beginning in 2021. (A seller of movie posters on eBay surmised it had to do with a change in the USPS sorting processes.)
The following year, the USPS instituted surcharges that included a $15 fee for tubes greater than 30 inches. The dimensions of the medium tube being discontinued this year are 38 1/16″ x 6 1/4″ x 4 1/4″.
The USPS said the medium-sized PM/PME box would remain available while supplies last (see the product page on USPS.com). “Customers interested in ordering this box are encouraged to place desired orders before supplies are depleted. For questions regarding this change, please email expeditedpackaging@usps.gov.”
I’ve got a bunch, haven’t used one since the outrageous rate increase. But that’s what Dejoy wants, less and less mail, he differently doesn’t want large packages anymore.