Package Sizes and Dimensions - USPS Domestic Overview
Additional Information from USPS
ShippingEasy wants to help you learn about the e-commerce industry. This article describes service requirements set by the United States Postal Service (USPS).
The USPS is a separate organization from ShippingEasy. For more information about USPS services, visit your local Post Office or go to USPS.com.
Understanding the specific package sizes and dimensions for USPS services will help you make more informed decisions about how to ship your products. This guide outlines the requirements of girth, packaging, and dimensions for domestic services.
Shipping dimensions are only used if you are sending a shipment in a custom box or envelope rather than in a carrier's flat-rate packaging. The shipment dimensions will affect the cost of the shipment, so accurate measurements are important.
Dimensional (cubic) pricing and dimensional (DIM) weight pricing are based on volume (length x width x height) rather than physical weight as the volume determines how much space the package takes up in the truck or airplane.
Length: The longest size of the package.
Width: The distance from one side to the other on the shortest part of the package.
Height: The distance from top to bottom of a standing package.
"Machinable" packages mean they are able to be sorted by a machine. If your package is larger than the machine is able to sort, it will be bumped into the next class of letters or packages, which often costs more money.
Machinable - Oversized vs Minimum dimensions
Oversized Priority Mail packages may be subject to dimensional pricing even when below the maximum 108" dimension.
Packages are also subject to minimum dimensions. No package may be smaller than 5" x 3.5" x 0.007". Machinable packages may not be smaller than 6" x 3" x 0.25".
Non-Machinable Surcharge Fee
Non-machinable packages may be subject to surcharge fees. Learn more about physical standards for parcels.
If you can answer “Yes” to any of the following questions, you may have a non-machinable package that will incur an additional fee.
-
Is the package a strange shape?
-
Does this package have improper postage or is the shipping address in a hard-to-see location?
-
Is the package in an odd container?
-
Can anything on my package get caught or tangled with other things?
Some domestic shipping supplies are offered for free through the USPS.
Click on the following options to order free boxes:
ShippingEasy offers tools to make selecting the right carrier and package even easier.
If you have your own unique packaging that you use to ship your products, you can save your package size and dimension on ShippingEasy's PACKAGE SETUP page. These are for packages that are different from the normal USPS Carrier Packages. Learn more about custom packages.
Shipping Presets are saved carrier package and service types available for quick use on the ORDERS and BATCHES pages. ShippingEasy has 13 pre-loaded shipping presets available for use with USPS. You can also set your own. Learn more about shipping presets.
Carrier packages are available when using a compatible USPS service on the ORDERS page. Learn more about selecting a carrier and package in ShippingEasy.
The following tables outline the maximum weights and dimensions for domestic package and envelope types offered through the USPS.
Package Type |
Service |
Max Weight |
Max Dimensions |
---|---|---|---|
Package |
Ground Advantage (formerly First-Class Package Service) |
15.9 oz |
22" x 18" x 15" |
Ground Advantage (Parcel Select Ground) |
70 lb |
Length + Girth < 130" |
|
Priority Mail |
70 lb |
||
Priority Mail Express |
70 lb |
Length + Girth < 108" |
|
Flat Rate Small Box |
Priority Mail |
70 lb |
8-5/8"(W) x 5-3/8"(L) x 1-5/8" (H) |
Flat Rate Medium Box |
Priority Mail |
70 lb |
(Top loading) Box 1= 11" (L) x 8-1/2"(W) x 5-1/2"(H) (Side loading) Box 2= 11-7/8"(L) x 3-3/8"(W) x 13-5/8"(H) |
Flat Rate Large Box |
Priority Mail |
70 lb |
12-1/4" (L) x 12" (W) x 6" (H) |
Envelope Type |
Service |
Max Weight |
Max Dimensions |
---|---|---|---|
Letter |
First Class Mail |
3.5 oz |
11-1/2" x 1/4" x 6-1/8" |
Flat Rate Envelope |
Priority Mail Priority Mail Express |
70 lbs |
12-1/2" x 9-1/2" |
Flat Rate Padded Envelope |
Priority Mail Priority Mail Express |
70 lbs |
11-5/8” x 15” |
Flat Rate Legal Envelope |
Priority Mail Priority Mail Express |
70 lbs |
15" x 9-1/2" |
Comments
Add a Comment
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Tags:- #pendo
-
- package
-
- weight
-
- answerbot_article_public
-
- priority
-
- express
-
- packaging
-
- first
-
- minimum
-
- min
-
- length
-
- width
-
- girth
-
- settings packages
-
- packages
-
- maximum
-
- height
-
- max
-