Are you making your packages weigh more to save money on GA?
Summary: The discussion revolves around the recent changes in USPS pricing, where shipping costs for packages in the 3-5 lb range are unexpectedly lower than lighter packages. Participants are examining strategies, such as adding weight to packages, to take advantage of these lower rates. purchase1212 shares personal experiences with pricing discrepancies, while others, like shire123 and gurlcat, confirm the weighing of packages by USPS. The conversation includes insights about USPS's potential competitive strategy against other shippers and a debate over the ethics and risks of manipulating package weights. Many participants express skepticism about the longevity of this pricing structure, predicting possible corrections by USPS.
read yesterday (here) about USPS raising the price of lighter GA package.
so, mailing today, my 1 lb 5 oz package costs 8.13 .
but changing it to 2 lb 5 oz package, it costs 5.39.
that's a big difference!
I assume USPS weighs packages so i can't just say it is 2 lbs when it isn't, correct?
so, do I add a small bag of marbles or what?
authentic*vintage
·just now"Predictably, when some sellers realized that it would cost less to ship a 3 lb package than a 1 lb package, they simply changed the entered weight when printing a label to get the lower rate, assuming USPS would not charge for the overstatement.
Also predictably, some of those are now reporting that the APV system which automatically weighs and measures packages in transit caught at least some of those packages and charged them the difference between the lower 3 lb rate and the rate they should have paid for the actual weight.
Some sellers are now discussing possible ways to still game the system, including adding additional items or packing material to bring smaller/lower weight packages above 2 lbs to get the lower rates."
https://www.valueaddedresource.net/usps-apv-overstated-ground-advantage-weights/
d-n-resale
·yesterday at 6:37 PMWe ship a lot of 4oz packages Ebay shows the label is $7 to $8 but I go to USPS and they are charging $5.35 to $5.85 as it always was on eBay, Saying there is not a problem must be wrong.
sreu3058
·yesterday at 5:57 PMNo, I am not that cheap (sorry)
mozartbach1971
·yesterday at 4:38 PMSometimes I'm including free items I can't use to get the package over 2 pounds.
kandf_vintage_finds
·yesterday at 3:49 PMYep if its close I do. No free gifts since I think most buyers don't want items not asked for but wrapped in xtra scrap carboard or heavier paper. ONLY if its already close. i.e. 1 lb. 8 oz. or above
sassykzt
·yesterday at 2:29 AM · EditedUSPS Ground Advantage rates above 16 oz are calculated by the pound and round up for anything over a whole number, so packages that are 1 lb 1 oz - 1 lb 15 oz will be charged the still higher 2 lb rate while packages that are 2 lb 1 oz - 2 lb 15 oz will be charged the now more deeply discounted 3 lb rate.
When sellers realized that it would cost less to ship a 3 lb package than a 1 lb package, some changed the entered weight when printing a label to get the lower rate, assuming USPS would not charge for the overstatement in weight. DO NOT DO THIS! The APV system ( now fully functional after a coding error caused the US Postal Service’s Automated Package Verification system to ignore millions of package measurements & weights for months) is catching these packages and charging them the difference between the lower 3 lb rate and the rate they should have paid for the actual weight. A member of one of my sellers groups was hit with 23 additional charges yesterday
For my orders that are close to being over 2 lbs: I double box -- the inside box is gift wrapped and / or I add a gift. Today I received a small item ( 3" x 6" X 2" ) that weighs 9 oz. It was packaged in 4! boxes, the largest being 12 x 14 x 10. It was amusing to open all of them -- I now have 3 white shipping boxes in perfect condition and a good amount of reusable bubble wrap.
christworks
·yesterday at 2:48 AM@sassykzt Not aware of any APV coding error. Can you cite your source?
sassykzt
·yesterday at 8:08 PMAs forwarded to me from a family member who is a postmaster in a large metro area : A new USPS Office of Inspector General management alert found the Postal Service failed to add the updated name of its Automated Parcel Bundle Sorter machines to APV’s list of trusted equipment. As a result, APV ignored between 30 million and 50 million scans per week beginning in March 2026. The OIG estimates USPS missed $22.6 million in underpaid postage and failed to identify $6.1 million in overpayments from March through May.
You can go to the inspector General's reports listed at the USPS site.
christworks
·yesterday at 10:36 PMThank you for providing that information.
I read the report. I agree that sellers should enter accurate package information. However, the report you cite does not substantiate the specific claim being made in your post.
The report concerns a coding error that prevented APV from using measurements from certain Automated Parcel Bundle Sorter machines between March and May 2026, well before USPS created this upside down rate structure. USPS restored those machines to its trusted-machine list sometime in June, but the report gives no exact date. Therefore, it does not establish whether the correction occurred before or after the June 22 rate adjustment.
More importantly, the report says nothing about the new situation in which a 3-pound Ground Advantage label can cost less than a 1- or 2-pound label. It does not say USPS modified APV to recognize that pricing anomaly, nor does it document sellers being charged because they overstated package weight.
Every package I have shipped was presented at the counter, scanned and accepted by a clerk. I have received no additional postage charges, nor have my customers, and every item has been delivered. A counter acceptance scan may not constitute final postage verification, but my firsthand experience certainly does not support the claim that APV is now routinely catching and charging these packages.
I have seen several second-, third- and fourth-hand reports of sellers receiving adjustments, but I have not yet seen an actual adjustment notice showing that:
• the label declared 3, 4, or 5 pounds;
• USPS measured the package at 2 pounds or less; and
• USPS charged the difference because the lower actual weight carried the higher rate.
I am extremely skeptical when I read information that comes from others about what so-and-so said, especially when it does not include specifics that matter. There are many reasons why sellers may get additional charges. Too many to list here. A seller could certainly overstate the weight of a package to get a cheaper rate, but they could also have another issue that results in additional charges. The claim that one seller received 23 adjustments does not establish why those adjustments occurred. They could have involved dimensions, measurement rounding, packaging, service selection or genuinely overweight packages. I would love the opportunity to read their first hand experience here, where I could ask a few questions that I think are relevant.
If somebody has an actual APV adjustment showing that an overstated weight caused this particular charge, I would genuinely like to see it. Until then, warning sellers to enter accurate information is reasonable, but presenting this report as proof that APV is catching this specific practice is not.
USPS does have a small tolerance built in, anda 1.9LB package with a 3lb label would likely not be rejected at all, even by APV. USPS allows for minor weight differences. The size of the package is more likely to get a seller additional charges. There is very little grace between a 1.0 cubic foot package and a 1.1 cublic foot package. This is one reason why they are now requiring measurements to always be rounded up to the nearest whole number.
sassykzt
·yesterday at 8:31 PMThe report is titled: Technical errors caused revenue loss management alert. Report 25-130-2-R26 July 2026.
adamcartwright
·yesterday at 6:23 PM"A member of one of my sellers groups was hit with 23 additional charges yesterday"
It's not like this seller couldn't have anticipated that. 😂
When you say perfect white shipping boxes, are you saying the seller used new boxes to pad the weight?
onefootflipper
·yesterday at 1:58 AMIf the cost difference is over about $1 then I stuff the package with old Cheerleader trading cards.
luckythewinner
·yesterday at 1:51 AMScrap cardboard is cheap.
authentic*vintage
·yesterday at 1:49 AMDouble box.
Do NOT print a label that says the package is 2.1 pounds when it is 1.9 - they will charge you for it later.
bbcardzman
·yesterday at 2:39 PMI don't think they will be charging for saying your package is under weight only over weight.
I've been sending under weight packages at the 2.1 lb rate since this crap started and haven't had a problem.
adamcartwright
·yesterday at 6:26 PMRead comment a few above.
They are charging. Proceed at your own risk.
christworks
·yesterday at 10:38 PM · Edited@adamcartwright Read my response. I actually read the report. The problem referred to in the report impacted packages shipped in March, April and May of this year. This is before USPS created these upside down rates. The corrected problem does not explain why shippers like myself and apparantly @bbcardzman have not run into any issues.
In fact, the information I got when all this started was that the system would not flag packages that had their weight overstated until maybe after USPS phased out the ounce based weight classes. At the time there was some uncertainty if they were still going to move forward with that, and it later turned out it would be heavily modified from their original plan. I've not spoken with my USPS contact since before then, but I've not had any issues with overstating package weights even after July 11. The USPS clerks and local supervisor tell me nothing shows up on their system. To them it appears the postage is correct. I'll stop here or I'll be restating all of my other post.
warrenshobbies
·yesterday at 11:03 PMI shipped ten packages that were two pounds and under to test if they would catch them. The USPS caught all ten and charged the underpayment amount.
lb23cavaliersmvp
·Aug 13, 2026 at 9:59 PMNot sure if this has already been covered but I asked a clerk at the PO if this was USPS or ebay driven and she told me it is not the USPS but ebay that is driving the apparent discounts.
bbcardzman
·yesterday at 2:41 PMUSPS is trying to compete with UPS and FedEx on their cheaper rates.
AND YES it's the post office and not eBay, not sure who you were talking with.
lb23cavaliersmvp
·yesterday at 5:10 PMAt a regional meeting of my local USPS execs the question was asked and answered as I indicated. I don't work for the USPS.
jonathanbrightlight
·yesterday at 3:24 PMeBay doesn't set USPS label prices...
kandf_vintage_finds
·yesterday at 3:50 PMhmmm....I believe this is false information. I can get the discount on Pirate ship.
top_quality_sales
·Aug 13, 2026 at 9:50 PMI've had 29 Lb. boxes plunked on my front porch that have had a USPS label reading 2 Lbs. I don't think they are weighed. And I don't think they will care if you send out a 2 pounder out at 3 or 4 Lbs.
pf9000
·1 month agoIt's not just USPS. Other shippers are also known for adding a fine if the box is too light for its size.
christworks
·1 month ago · EditedNm
kibble-net
·1 month agoFor the first couple of days after this started happening, I actually did the opposite. I rounded my packages up to 6 pounds to avoid having my parcels marked as postage due. I assumed this 3-5 pound pricing scheme was an error, and I still do.
However, seeing as it's now been four days and it has not been corrected, I assume USPS will honor these rates, as the alternative would be too earth-shattering.
I would not be surprised if this is reversed in the near future, but for now, enjoy it while it lasts.
mamacassidy
·1 month agoI too thought it was an error at first. I thought it was an ebay error.
But I looked at prices on Pirate Ship, and they're showing the same as the ebay label prices.
I just packed up a pair of pants, and I added a book in the package. I have a stack of books that I was going to take to the thrift store, but now, it looks like every order will receive a free book and I'll save a buck or 2.
I wonder who at USPS will get fired for this...
iamalwaysright
·1 month agoiamalwaysright
·1 month agoI hate this non-chronological order of these threads now, btw. It makes it harder for me to read this thread convo as time passes. So safe to say that I didn't read all the replies yet.
But whoa, this is the first I've heard of this stupid USPS price hike decision. Are y'all using ebay to create postage? I'll have to take a closer at my postage resources (stamps.com, pirate ship) but I just did a quick look and see that in my stamps.com software it doesn't seem to make 1 lb and 2 lb packages higher priced than 3 lb. This was only at a glance so I'll have to take a closer look at it.
But I think this thread explains what happened to me earlier today using Pirate Ship to create a postage. The package was set at 8 oz. and it spit out a price of around $5.58. I think it was Zone 1. Anyway, I noticed that when the postage printed out, Pirate Ship printed that the package weighed 3 lbs on the postage! My workers saw it too and couldn't explain why, just thought it was a glitch. But now knowing this, could it be that Pirate Ship pre-empitvely and intentionally inflated the weight on the postage to get me the lowest price thinking it should be okay since in the past over-stating your weight of the package was acceptable? Any one else experience the same thing when creating postage thru Pirate Ship?
stephenmorgan
·1 month ago · EditedI checked a box size that I use often from zip code 88310 to 10001
7” X 5” X 3”
8oz $6.07
12oz $6.72
15oz $7.80
1lb $9.02
2lb $9.02
3lb $6.07
4lb $6.86
5lb 7.91
6lb all the way to 20lb $9.02
I sent a 12" X 10" X 9" 4lb to AK Zip 99587 and the cost was $18.01
If I sent it to the Zip 10001 it would have only been $6.86
Most of my packages are 8 ounces so no advantage trying to make them weigh 3 pounds.
engehausen
·1 month agoAll of these comments are super helpful!!!
Imagine my surprise when I underestimated postage on a 2 lb package that the buyer paid $9.38 postage for (Midwest to east coast) and when I rounded it to the correct 3 lbs the price dropped to $5.97 or so. Even at 4 and 5 lbs the price stayed $5.97. Huh???
I tried to contact eBay thinking this was some huge error with no success. I should have gone to the community board sooner.
krazzykats
·1 month agoI’ve been rounding up for a long time. I just use the maximum weight and dimensions allowed for the price paid. I’m not illegally or unethically inflating postage costs—it’s the same price either way.
If I can mail an 8x6x4 box at 3 oz or a 12x12x12 box at 4 oz for the same cost, I’ll choose the larger dimensions and weight when printing the label regardless of whether I use that size package and weight.
I don’t see anything wrong with that, since my customers pay same price whether it’s 1, 2, 3 or 4 ounces, or 5,6,7 or 8 ounces, or in an 8x6x4, 10x10x10 or 12x12x12 box. Same, same, same price/cost.
The only concern is whether overestimating the weight and size is an issue.
I am not inflating my postage costs by doing this.
And, I don’t think the post office minds if it’s over, just if it’s under.
🐈⬛
bashort
·1 month agoAbsolutely, USPS makes the rules I do what is best for me within the rules.
monroe67
·1 month ago"Are you making your packages weigh more to save money on GA?"
No. That would be, like, lying. You know: Bearing False Witness.
I don't do that.
adamcartwright
·1 month agoNope, it's definitely not lying to make your package heavier so it ships at a lower rate.
It would be lying if it weighed 11 oz. and you said it weighed 3 lb.
krazzykats
·1 month ago · EditedI’m getting the same prices for packages over 3 lbs.
I rounded up to 4 lbs. and shipped a 4 lb 12x12x12 package yesterday for $9.65 from OR to CT.
The dimensions didn’t increase/decrease the price until it exceeded 12x12x12, even though the package was actually smaller. And for many packages I ship, smaller dimensions won’t affect the cost, so I will use 12x12x12 as my default size.
🐈⬛
stainlessenginecovers
·1 month ago@krazzykats That's because there is a 'penalty' fee for being over 1 cu ft (same with 'over 22" long and even more for over 31")
krazzykats
·1 month ago · EditedI've played a lot with weights and sizes. Most things I sell are under 1lb and will fall into: 4oz, 8oz, 12oz, 15oz.
I use 12"x12"x12" default dimensions on most listings as using actual sizes rarely changes the price if smaller. I round up my weights to the next weight level. 3oz ships at 4oz, 6oz ships at 8oz, etc... This also lets me switch packaging and boxes easily without having to reprint a label, if needed. (Ever get ready to mail something but decided to upgrade the packaging?) 😁
I ship mostly lighter and smaller things so rarely exceed 12x12x12 and have not had that 'penalty fee' added.
I've even found shipping in two boxes was cheaper than a larger one for a couple listings...
🐈⬛
fabrics24
·1 month agoYou know, I was wondering why one of my boxed orders was only $5.70.
authentic*vintage
·1 month agoWhy they are doing this:
USPS already has the market cornered on small package delivery - the goal is to capture heavier package delivery in direct competition with UPS and FedEx. These rates may not last. I am sure that USPS will reassess if this discount has resulted in more shipments in this weight class and determine whether it is feasible to continue or not.
mamacassidy
·1 month agoYeah, I just said pretty much the same thing. I put my 2lb poly envelope in a box and made it 3 pounds to save myself a couple of bucks. I don't think USPS thought this one through.
gloryglorygifts
·1 month agoNo, I will not be increasing the weight of my packages. It's now my goal to get my packages to weigh as little as possible.
inhawaii
·1 month agoA 10X10X10 package shipped GA from Hawaii to any other state costs me...
4 oz. $6.36
8 oz. $6.74
12 oz. $7.13
15 oz. $8.40
1 lb. $10.67
2 lb. $12.87
3 lb. $15.75
Why is the price not coming down as the package gets heavier?
stainlessenginecovers
·1 month ago@inhawaii I think it has to do with items in Zones 1 through 8; and you are in 9 so I don't think you get it?
mamacassidy
·1 month agoOn the USPS shipping zones chart, it is showing that Honolulu zip codes starting with 968 are still in zone 8 for me in zip coded 373.
It is showing zip codes starting with 969 to be in zone 9.
So the rate change should still apply for @inhawaii
stainlessenginecovers
·1 month ago@mamacassidy @inhawaii That is not correct. All of Hawaii is 96701 to 96898 and is Zone 9.
mamacassidy
·1 month agoThis is the USPS chart I was looking at:
Domestic Zone Chart
It is showing zone 8 for me shipping from zip code starting with 373
stainlessenginecovers
·1 month ago@mamacassidy All of Hawaii is Zone 9 to ANYONE in the 48 Continental States (where Cali 90xxx to NY 100xx) even though it's 3000 miles from Cali yet 6000 from NY.
I've shipped plenty to there, from SoCal and NV and it's always 'as much or more' than me shipping to NY or FL.
mamacassidy
·1 month agoOk, I'll send feedback on the USPS website and let them know their info is incorrect.
mamacassidy
·1 month agoI just packed up an item to ship from the east coast to the west coast. The ebay label discounted prices were:
1lb $10.01
2lb $10.80
3lb $7.95
I originally had it in a poly mailer, so it weighed 2lb. When I saw it was cheaper at 3lb, I put it in a cardboard box.
They will soon see the flaw in their new pricing system.
dhbookds
·1 month agoJust a general comment.....I've got to believe, at some point, this is going to corrected........and, depending on how you are reacting, you may need to change things....I'd put something in the sku field so that you can find the items that you changed based on what's happening now........
inhawaii
·1 month ago · Editedtsme35
·1 month agoOther question, is a lower rate showing up for the buyers or is this discount hidden for sellers.
stainlessenginecovers
·1 month agoWhat weight to you have in that 64" rod? I show $15.10 to 89029)
tsme35
·1 month agoI'm showing $19.- but was playing with the weight and the sweet spot is 3-5 lb, it drops $3.50 to $15.-, looks like the fishing rods are getting fishing weights too. I only ship one piece fishing rods through the PO, UPS starts at $35 and up for anything over 48" but under it about half what the PO charges.
stainlessenginecovers
·1 month agoI will use sand in a baggie, taped shut with a note clearly showing (For possible moisture absorption: throw away!)
This way, the buyer isn't wondering what 'marbles' or 'just rocks' etc. is doing in the package.
Regarding weights, since USPS does weigh somewhere along the line, when scanned it will simply show 'wrong weight' and then 'possibly' get a chargeback to ebay passed to you or worse- returned for 'insufficient postage' or you customer is asked to pay more; both very bad.
Someone mentioned 1 lb and change rounding up to 2lbs. Issue is, 2 lbs is not the discount, it is 3 lbs (to 5) so anything OVER 2 lbs (2 lbs NO, 2 lbs 1 oz gets discount)
mr_lincoln
·1 month ago · Edited@purchase1212
It is rather strange what they are doing, for myself I just list the correct weight and package dimensions on listings. Customers can see what shipping will cost them and decide to buy or not and my normal procedure is to refund the shipping overage if the difference between what they paid and what I paid is a certain amount or more.
I was however shocked to see 3-4lbs packages going from PA to VA and NY only costing me less than $ 6 to ship ... I had to refund a nice amount to those customers.
I think in the end they will walk this one back once they realize that it was not a good decision.
purchase1212
OP1 month ago · Editedthey have rounding covered.
Just tried with 2 lbs even (if 1 lb 5 oz rounded up) and it is the higher $8.13
2.1 lbs drops back down to $5.89
tealt
·1 month ago · EditedThank you for checking that.
I don’t think I’ll have to add marbles to get my 1-2 pound packages over 2 pounds. I’ll just use heavier wrapping materials for the items. Or use a heavier box.
meme6253
·1 month agoNo I would not intentionally increase the weight of my packages.
tealt
·1 month ago · EditedDoesn’t the USPS, for packages weighing over 1 pound, round up to the nearest pound, when calculating postage?
Thus, my 1.5 pound package would be treated by the USPS as 2 pounds when it calculated postage, and I wouldn’t need to add extra physical weight.
Or, has that rounding up changed with these new lower rates?
tsme35
·1 month agoI'm adding a free packet of weights for my fisherman, save me $2-$3, plus lead is only going for .50 a pound.
eoma689485
·1 month agoUSPS doesn't care what you add to the package - so feel free to ship some of those marbles if you care to. - as long as it weighs 2 lbs, you're good to go.
adamcartwright
·1 month agoIt has to be 2 lb. 1 oz. to trigger the 3 -5 lb. discount.
purchase1212
OP1 month agoI had changed a lot of my shipping to $5.75 to get things moving but now I could be losing over $3 a package (before it was maybe a buck)
shire123
·1 month agoInteresting point. But I do know that USPS does measure/weigh most (if not all) packages at some point as I have had refunds from USPS for over measuring/weighing. So in the long run your suggestion probably will not work.
gurlcat
·1 month agoBut the OP is not just asking about fudging the numbers -they're contemplating adding actual weight ("bag of marbles"), to match the numbers.