Everything you need to know to get the most out of Amazon’s Prime Pantry service

Update (2/15 9:40am): For a limited time only, Amazon is taking $10 off Prime Pantry orders of $75 or more when you enter coupon code 10PANTRY at checkout.

One of the lesser known benefits of Amazon Prime is Pantry, a flat-rate shipping service for everyday essentials. The idea is that you can fill up a single box with tons of “groceries and household products in everyday package sizes” from a single stick of deodorant to a package of Oreo cookies and it all ships for just $5.99. It may seem blasphemous for Prime members to pay for shipping, but it’s totally worth it if you take advantage of exclusive deals and promotions. Here are the ins and outs of Amazon Prime Pantry:

The draw of Prime Pantry is the ability to have heavy, everyday items delivered to your doorstep for a (relatively) small charge and save money. In my household we use it to augment our regular food shopping. We keep our Prime Pantry page open throughout the week and continually add items that we forgot during our most recent Stop and Shop trip. The best part is that you don’t need to worry about shipping costs increasing when you order heavy canned goods or beverages. Anything that fits in the Pantry box (up to 45 pounds) is included in the shipping fee. As you select each item Amazon will tell you how much of your box you’ve filled. Keep an eye on that figure and budget your space accordingly. You’ll be charged $5.99 whether you fill your box 10% of 100%, so make sure you pack it to the brim!

Pantry is only available to Prime members so if you aren’t yet subscribed take a minute to start a free trial. Right off the bat, Pantry offers substantial value since many items are priced lower than my local grocery and convenience stores. Make sure you double-check Pantry prices against your local retailers (use a recent food shopping receipt) to make sure you’re not getting taken by Amazon.

One key to getting the most out of Pantry is to frequently browse the Weekly Deals and Exclusive Coupons sections. These offers knock your prices down even lower on select items across a variety of categories. Make sure you actually ‘clip’ the coupon once you land on the product page, doing so will activate the savings for your account.

There’s no doubt that a shipping fee stings for Prime members, but luckily there is a way you can sidestep it. Many times Amazon will run special promotions that waive your Pantry shipping fee when you buy certain items. In fact, one such promo is available right now when you buy 5 eligible items and enter coupon code PANTRYFEB at checkout. Keep an eye on the Pantry storefront for future offers.

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