Illustration of how Dimensional Weight Affects Costs
Summary: The discussion revolves around the impact of dimensional weight on shipping costs, particularly when shipping large packages. shire123 noted that large dimensions can significantly increase costs, using a hypothetical example of shipping a 24x24x24-inch box. eoma689485 explained FedEx's calculation methods, and ryry-jj expressed mistrust in FedEx's estimates on eBay. Participants also discussed various factors that affect FedEx and USPS pricing, including zone rates and additional surcharges. Overall, the conversation highlighted that size, rather than weight, often dictates shipping expenses, and that user errors contribute to price discrepancies in shipping charges.
For the heck of it, I plugged in a shipping weight of 4 oz and a box that was 24x24x24 inches. (note I do ship things that large on occasion but certainly not that light). USPS cost for an ebay label was $224. Fed/Ex was something like $65.
Sellers really need to change their thinking that weight is the major factor in determining shipping costs.
jdbelt1960
·Jul 11, 2026 at 6:04 PMI hope that these were hypothetical values you plugged in and not actual shipments. That for sure would not be a good look on you. Some people I suppose would do anything to prove a point.
shire123
OPJul 11, 2026 at 6:16 PMOf course, they were hypothetical.
christworks
·Jul 11, 2026 at 5:40 PMUSPS does not want to be in the business of having to transport 2 cubic foot sizes packages, hence why they charge so much. They don't want that business. Their delivery trucks are not designed to handle that size of a box. When you don't want a certain type of business, you price consumers out.
shado-x
·Jul 11, 2026 at 5:14 PMThe USPS is dinging a $200.00 fee on top of the $24.00 to ship it. Be grateful that a 4oz package doesn't need a 24x24x24 box. Again, the USPS is the Numero Uno cause of inflation on the US Consumer, above and beyond everything else because they have no other way to generate income except from postage and money order generation. Notice their 8% fuel surcharge hasn't gone away when oil is at 67 bucks now. They really need to become a bank to earn interest income and create consumer credit so that they can lower postage costs.
shire123
OPJul 11, 2026 at 5:31 PMAgain, the fictitious example was only made to illustrate how large packages greatly increase shipping costs.
I have had many packages to ship that were 24x24 x12 and weighed about 15 pounds. UPSP was always over $100 for those with Fed/Ex or UPS only about 40-50. And again. To date. I have never had a shipping adjustment from UPS or FedEx.
thriftyfiftyfifty
·Jul 11, 2026 at 3:34 PMFor a package that size, eBay is automatically adding their "Non-Standard" Fee's even BEFORE Calculating Weight and Dimensions. That can get costly.
ryry-jj
·Jul 11, 2026 at 3:15 PMIf you trust the FedEx rate you will get smoked. This is the disconnect with FedEx and UPS on eBay, they are suppose to figure in DW, but they don't. With that test, don't put in 4oz as weight, put the DW in as the actual weight, I bet cost is close to $150
shire123
OPJul 11, 2026 at 3:24 PMCompletely disagree. I have sent boxes that size via FedEx and the price I paid through ebay labels was right on. Have never had an adjustment.
Yes. There are horror stories around but I believe they don't occur nearly to the extent that people believe.
shire123
OPJul 11, 2026 at 3:28 PM · EditedJust tried it again as you suggested. Put 18 pounds for the weight with the 24x24x24. It came to $87. As an aside I have actually shipped several boxes like this and paid around the $70-80 amount. Never an adjustment. Note the USPS charge for this example was $224.
ryry-jj
·Jul 11, 2026 at 3:59 PMI still don't trust it. I ran it on my Fedex account, with a volume discount, 1 lb from CA to TN it is $149 ground..fuel charges alone was $29.81..same when I put in 18 lbs. The actual shipping base rate is $78.48...then FedEx adds on the $29.81 surcharge and a $40.75 size surcharge. And I believe eBay calculates the base rate as the estimate and we all get hit with the surcharges later
See, this is still why I don't trust FedEx on eBay at all, something is missing, and by all the complaints we read about added charges later, not touching FedEx here. But your point is on about size being the factor
christworks
·Jul 11, 2026 at 5:37 PM@ryry-jj I get sick of these lies about FedEx. People get adjustments becuase they fail to understand that with FedEx and UPS you must always round up or they have some other things going on with their package; such as, non-standard packaging that results in additional charges. Also, FedEx's fuel adjustment charge is dynamic. In some cases sellers print the postage on Friday, for exmple, then dont' ship until Monday or Tuesday and can get additional charges then..
Mark my words. Now that USPS will require sellers to always round up, we will have people moaning about how unfair it is that USPS charged them more.
FedEx isn't the issue. User error is.
ryry-jj
·Jul 11, 2026 at 5:53 PMI use FedEx 100% of the time in my work, never an issue, when I try it on eBay, wholly crap it looks messed up to me, and I'm not trusting it...and I know what I'm doing. There is a strong disconnect beyond just human error...which I do agree is the #1 issue. But with this example the OP gave us, I don't trust that figure of $87 at all as holding up.
eoma689485
·Jul 11, 2026 at 12:14 PMSorry don't know where you live, but using FedEx from Ohio for that size package.
Short Distance (Zones 2-3, e.g., NY to PA): $45 – $60
Medium Distance (Zones 4-5, e.g., Chicago to Dallas): $65 – $90
Long Distance / Cross-Country (Zones 6-8, e.g., LA to NY): $105 – $145
Because your box sits at 13,824 cubic inches, it triggers a steep Additional Handling Surcharge of $26 to $40+ per package (depending on your shipping zone).
Residential Surcharge: FedEx Home Delivery includes this, but if you choose standard Ground and it goes to a home, expect a $4 to $6 adjustment later.
Even after all of that, FedEx is still a little bit cheaper.
shire123
OPJul 11, 2026 at 12:29 PMI 'm located in Wisconsin. The example I used was from here to the east coast. So zone 4-5 (and it was FedEx Home)
But the whole point of the EXAMPLE was that dimensional weight overrides weight at some point. It seems so many sellers are totally unfamiliar with the concept given all the complaints on these boards about shipping costs of relatively lighter but larger packages.
fern*wood
·Jul 11, 2026 at 3:20 PMI've always figured that dimensional rates override weight once I'm over 12x12x12. That may not always be the case, but I count on it anyway so I'm not surprised.
eoma689485
·Jul 11, 2026 at 4:48 PM · EditedFedEx and UPS calculate every package regardless of size to determine the DIM weight against the actual weight.
USPS, if the item is 12 x 12 x 12 or under will go with the actual weight, any larger and DIM weight is considered.