Does Usps Charge By Weight Or Size

April 1, 2022

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Does Usps Charge By Weight Or Size In 2022? (Full Guide)

The options of UPS, FedEx, and the United States Postal Service have made it easier to send a package.

You may have ever brought your mail to the postoffice and asked them for a price?

Perhaps you have ever wondered if USPS charges by weight? You might wonder how they arrived at this price. Here is what you need to know.

Is the USPS charging by weight or size in 2022?

The United States Postal Service typically charges for mail based on distance and weight, such as First-Class mail or Priority Express. Some postal services, however, may charge dimensional weight pricing when the parcel’s dimensions exceed set limits. Dimensional weight pricing factors in length, height and width. Some companies offer flat-rate shipping options for parcels that weigh up to 70 lbs.

Is that confusing? For different services, I’m able to break down the USPS poundage charges for USPS. This includes whether UPS shipping is less expensive than USPS or whether using your own box to ship can be cheaper. You can find all details in the following!

What is the USPS Shipping Price Per Pound?

It depends on what USPS shipping service is chosen and how far the parcel will travel.

Parcels can be shipped using First-Class Package Service, Retail Ground or Priority Mail Express.

Four of these may ship by dimensional weight (DIM), if the size maximum has been exceeded. USPS calculates DIM by: Length x Width x Height / 166.

Below are some examples of the different parcel shipping services. Each is broken down according to the price-per pound and any Flat-Rate pricing.

First-Class Package Service-Retail

First-Class Package Service refers to packages weighing less than 13. oz.

In general, packages take from one to three business days

Prices start at $4 for 1 oz., rising to $6.25 for 13 oz.

Retail Ground

This USPS service is an excellent alternative to Priority Mail or Priority Express if the package size exceeds that of Priority Mail.

Retail Ground Limits: 70 lb of combined weight and length + girth 130 in

Prices start at $7.70 for one pound and climb to $49 for 70 lbs.

If the parcel is larger than the limit, DIM pricing could be used.

Priority Mail

This is the “next-level” service to First Class shipping

It takes 1-3 days to deliver, can be delivered Sundays (for an added fee), and also includes shipment of letters, large addresses and parcels

All parcels must weigh no more than 70 lbs. Minimum 70-pounds, maximum 108ins in length and width

For one pound prices begin at $7.70 and reach $49 for 70 pounds.

Flat Rate shipping also included in this service. Prices start at $7.95 to mail envelopes, $8.45 small boxes, $15.50 medium boxes, and $21.90 large packages

If the parcel is larger than the limit, DIM pricing could be used.

Priority Mail Express

This service offers fast shipping and also includes 2-day and next-day shipping of letters, envelopes, or parcels

All parcels must weigh no more than 70 lbs. Parcel must be 70 lbs or less with a maximum length of 108inches.

Prices for one-half-pound start at $26.35 and increase to $184.30 for 70lbs.

Priority Express also has flat-rate envelopes that range in price from $22.75 up to $23.25

If the parcel’s dimensions exceed those limits, DIM pricing can be applied.

Select Parcel

This service is for regular shippers who don’t need to get their parcels anywhere in a hurry and who want the cheapest shipping rates

The weight limit for women is 70 lbs. the combined size and length limits are 108 inches long and 108 inches wide

The price of one pound starts at only $3.30, while the cost for a 70-lb. Packages start at $9.24

If parcels exceed the size limit, DIM pricing might be applied.

Ultimately, the best way to calculate your shipping costs beforehand is to use USPS.com’s handy shipping calculator tool, here.

Are You More Affordable to Ship a USPS Box or UPS Mail?

It’s difficult to top USPS when it comes to parcel shipping at low rates.

Shipping competitor UPS is also affected. UPS’s shipping costs are generally higher (sometimes even much higher) that your government-run Postal Service charges for basic parcel delivery.

Additionally, USPS’s flat-rate shipping options are difficult to beat. You can send a lot with one flat-rate box, as there is no weight limit.

However, if you have a very large item, UPS and FedEx may charge extra.

USPS can’t ship items over 70 pounds. If your item is heavier than that, USPS will send you to a competitor.

Does it cost less to ship USPS without your box?

It all depends on your item’s weight whether it is cheaper to send USPS without your box.

For example, if you are shipping something heavier, say, 60 lbs., and it will fit inside a USPS Priority Mail Flat-Rate box, that is your cheapest option.

The box is free (you can pick one up in any post office lobby) and the flat rate for a large box is $21.90.

It costs $60 to ship a 60-lb. You can ship a 60-pound item in your box starting at $42.90. It could cost as much as $277.15 depending upon how far it is being shipped.

What if I have my own box?

You cannot use your own box for USPS’s flat rate shipping options, such as Priority Flat Rate and Priority Express Flat Rate.

The USPS-approved boxes are better. You can choose from three sizes as well several different envelope options.

To learn more about Priority flat rate boxes, you can visit this page here (Priority Express only offers flat rate envelopes at this time, which you can find the prices for here).

For any USPS flat rate shipping service, your personal box can be used.

You can read more information about USPS by reading our posts: Does USPS scan packages? How does USPS track tracking and whether USPS charges to change an address.

Conclusion

USPS typically uses weight and distance for shipping costs. But, sometimes weight, size and length are used when packages exceed the size limit.

Flat rate USPS PriorityMail flat shipping is a great way to save money on your order, provided it fits.

.Does Usps Charge By Weight Or Size In 2022? (Full Guide)

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