Shape, weight, and size affect the price for large packages. If you have a large, lightweight package, instead of paying the normal postage price, you may be charged the balloon price, oversized price, or dimensional weight price depending on the class of mail and additional factors.
| Prices & Size
| Fees
| Charges
|
Determining Parcel Size & Weight
Size Definitions
- Length is always the longest dimension and is measured in inches.
- Height is the side that is perpendicular to the length and is measured in inches.
- Width is the remaining side that is also perpendicular to the length and is measured in inches.
- Girth is the distance around the thickest part of the remaining non-length sides and is measured in inches.
- For rectangular packages, Girth would be Height multiplied by two plus Width multiplied by two.
- For cylindrical packages, Girth would be the circumference of the cylinder.
NOTE: When looking up the price for a parcel in the shape of a tube using the Postage Price Calculator, first select the “Large Package” shape, click the “Nonrectangular” button, and enter the appropriate dimensions. |  |
Maximum Size
- Parcels going to a domestic location may not measure more than 108 inches in length and girth combined.
- USPS Ground Advantage® mailpieces are an exception; they may not measure more than 130 inches in length and girth combined. USPS Ground Advantage items that are between 108 and 130 inches will be charged at the oversized price.
- Lower maximum size standards may apply to mail addressed to some APOs, FPOs, and DPOs.
- The maximum size of a parcel bound for an international destination varies based on country. This can be determined through the Postage Calculator.
- Oversize charge - Any item exceeding the Postal Service maximum size limit of 130 inches in length and girth is nonmailable. Oversize items identified in the postal network will be assessed an oversize item charge payable before release of the item, unless the item is discovered at the same facility it was entered. Postage and fees refunds are not available.
Package Weight
The U.S. Postal Service™ recommends that you use a scale to determine the weight of your package. Scales can be easily purchased online at The Postal Store®.
Please keep in mind that if the package weighs more than the weight you entered, it will require additional postage when it is mailed or delivered.
A convenient alternative is Priority Mail Express® Flat Rate Envelopes and Priority Mail Flat Rate® Envelopes and Boxes. For one low price, you can mail any amount of material to a U.S. destination, of any weight up to 70 lbs that will easily fit in the flat rate envelope or box.
- Domestic packages may not weigh more than 70 pounds.
- Lower maximum weight standards may apply to mail addressed to some APOs, FPOs, and DPOs.
- The maximum weight of international packages varies based on country. This can be determined through the Postage Calculator.
- Overweight charge - Any item exceeding the 70-pound weight limit is nonmailable. Overweight items will be assessed an overweight item charge payable before release of the item, unless it is discovered at the same facility it was entered. Postage and fees refunds are not available.
Balloon Price
The balloon price is applied to parcels that are greater than 84 inches, but not more than 108 inches, in combined length and girth, less than 20 pounds, and are USPS Ground Advantage® - Limited Overland Routes parcels.
If a parcel qualifies, mailers pay the 20-pound postage price (balloon price) of its mail class.
Dimensional Weight Price
The dimensional weight price may be applied to parcels of the mail classes listed below, but use and calculation of that price differs based on those mail classes.
- Dimensional Weight Price for Low-Density Parcels to Zones 1-9 - For the domestic mail classes listed below, postage for parcels addressed for delivery to Zones 1-9 and that exceed one cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches) is based on either the actual weight or the calculated dimensional weight, whichever is greater. The dimensional weight price may apply to:
- Priority Mail Express® parcels
- Priority Mail® parcels
- USPS Ground Advantage® (excludes Limited Overland Routes parcels) parcels
- Parcel Select® parcels (Parcel Select no longer has price by Zone, but can still be charged by the dimensional weight)
- Note: If the dimensional weight exceeds 70 pounds, postage is the 70-pound price
Nonmachinable Price
A nonmachinable mailpiece is a mailpiece that must be sorted outside of the standard, automated mail process. Because it is more expensive to process these mailpieces, the nonmachinable price is applied to items of the mail classes listed below.
- USPS Marketing Mail® letters
- USPS Marketing Mail Nonprofit letters
|
- First-Class Mail® letters (Commercial)
|
For letters of the above mail classes, the nonmachinable price is applied when the letter has any one of the criteria listed here.
Oversized Price
The oversized price is used on parcels of the mail classes listed below that are greater than 108 inches, but not more than 130 inches, in combined length and girth. Weight is not a factor as long as it does not exceed 70 pounds (no package can exceed 70 pounds). This is for:
- USPS Ground Advantage® parcels
- USPS Ground Advantage® - Limited Overland Routes parcels
- Parcel Return Service parcels
|
- Parcel Select parcels
- USPS Connect™ Local
|
Length Fee and Cubic Fee (Nonstandard Fee)
The length fee is a nonstandard fee charged when the parcel length is either 22 inches up to 30 inches or more than 30 inches. The cubic fee is a nonstandard fee charged when the parcel cubic volume is more than 2 cubic feet (3,456 cubic inches). These can be charged for:
- Priority Mail Express (Retail and Commercial)
- Priority Mail (Retail and Commercial)
- USPS Ground Advantage® (Retail and Commercial)
|
- Parcel Select Destination Entry
- USPS Connect Local
|
A single mailpiece can be charged both the length fee and the cubic fee.
Dimension Noncompliance Fee (Nonstandard Fee)
The dimension noncompliance fee is charged when commercial customers shipping a package greater than 22 inches in length do not provide the package's accurate dimensions on the Shipping Services file manifests or other approved electronic documentation. This nonstandard fee applies to the following mail classes:
- Priority Mail Express (Commercial)
- Priority Mail (Commercial)
|
- Parcel Select Destination Entry
- USPS Connect Local
|
Nonmachinable Surcharge
A nonmachinable mailpiece is a mailpiece that must be sorted outside of the standard, automated mail process. Because it is more expensive to process these mailpieces, the nonmachinable surcharge is charged. It is applied to First-Class Mail letters (Retail) and First-Class Mail International® letters (Retail) that meet one or more of the nonmachinable characteristics for domestic or international letters.
Package Quality Noncompliance Fee
The Package Quality Noncompliance Fee (formerly the IMpb Noncompliance Fee) is a fee on packages shipped with the commercial mail classes and USPS Return services listed below. Mailers who ship those packages must meet the established thresholds for Compliance Quality., categorized by address quality, manifest quality (shipping services file) and barcode quality. Failure to meet any of the thresholds results in the assessment of the Package Quality Noncompliance Fee.
- Priority Mail Express® (Commercial)
- Priority Mail® (Commercial)
- Priority Mail PMOD and Cubic (Commercial)
- USPS Ground Advantage® (Commercial)
- USPS Ground Advantage® Cubic (Commercial)
- Parcel Select® (Commercial)
- USPS Connect™ Local (Commercial)
- Packages containing HAZMAT
|
- Priority Mail Express Return
- Priority Mail Return®
- USPS Ground Advantage Return
- Parcel Return Service (PRS)
|
Oversize / Overweight Item Fee
The Postal Service™ maximum mailpiece weight limit is 70 pounds and the maximum dimension (length plus girth) is 130 inches. Any item exceeding either of those measurements is nonmailable. If found in the postal network, the item either:
- Must be secured for pick-up by the mailer or addressee who will be charged the oversize / overweight item fee of $200.
- No fee is charged if the overweight / oversize item is discovered and picked up at the same facility where it was entered.
- Or unless authorized, will be considered abandoned and disposed of at the discretion of the Postal Service if not paid for and picked up within 14 calendar days.
Postage and fees refunds are not available.
