USPS Proposed Nonstandard Surcharges effective July 2025 (tubes and more)
Starting July 2025 USPS will probably be applying a nonstandard surcharge to tubes, anything that rolls or doesn't maintain its structure, and some changes for liquids. This was proposed a couple days ago, it's pending approval.
If you want to read the full proposal, see this document. The nonstandard section is on page 11.
https://postalpro.usps.com/july-2025-release-overview
14.0 Nonstandard Fee and Dimension Noncompliance Fee Updates
The US Postal Service is considering updating the rules for package Nonstandard Fee structures. These fees are applicable to Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, USPS Connect Local and Parcel Select packages based on the following criteria:
The Nonstandard Fee is currently charged for packages meeting the following criteria:
a) Length greater than 22 inches but less than or equal to 30 inches.
b) Length greater than 30 inches.
c) Cubic volume greater than 2 cubic ft.
The Nonstandard Fee will now also include the Package Characteristics as a criterion:
a) Cylindrical tubes or rolls.
b) A can, or wooden or metal box.
c) A parcel containing more than 24 ounces of liquid in glass containers, or 1 gallon or more of liquid in metal or plastic containers (see DMM 601.3.4).
d) Other (e.g., parcels prepared under DMM sections 601.3.0 and DMM 601.4.0. with contents that may cause the parcel to roll or not maintain the integrity of the packaging during processing)
The assessment for packages may result in following Nonstandard Fees being charged:
a) Nonstandard Fee for one of two Length criteria (noted above)
b) Nonstandard Fee for Volume criteria (noted above)
c) Nonstandard Fee for Package Characteristics criteria (noted above)
d) Nonstandard Fee Length + Volume) Nonstandard Fee Package Characteristics + Volume
Note: Only the greater of the two: Length vs. Package Characteristics may be assessed per package.
The Dimension Noncompliance Fee will reflect the changes to the Nonstandard Fee criteria. This update will include identification of Package Characteristics in the Manifest.
wastingtime101
OP1 year agoDon't know if you still sell beverages @inhawaii , but if you do that liquid's going to cost extra to ship in a month if 24 oz or more if in a glass bottle - or a gallon or more in plastic/metal. So if you have a buyer purchasing several cans/bottles of beverage I believe they'd go by the cumulative total inside the package.
wastingtime101
OP1 year agoBumping this. The surcharges are happening effective July 13th.
On the USPS price change files (link) it's listed as: Nonstandard Characteristic Fee $4.00
As of today (June 11) it's not possible to account for package type with calculated shipping on eBay so you may want to consider adding a handling fee on impacted listings.
simba6
·1 year agoJust means USPS will be joining UPS and FEDEX in back billing. It had been with USPS there was less risk of a thousand bill coming after you shipped a package. I will say however their mailing tube was shaped like a triangle and not a round tube.
stainlessenginecovers
·1 year agoSo basically something in a Bubble Manilla Envelope that can 'change dimension' or 'move inside the envelope' would be considered 'D' above?
wastingtime101
OP1 year agoYeah, I was thinking that. Like if you stick a round thing in a polymailer and it can roll around you can get hit with the surcharge. Box is a better option for roll-y things. Or stick a piece of cardboard inside a little smaller than the envelope - that'll prevent the roll. And make sure the label is on the side with the cardboard - flat surface means fewer label scan issues.
roccotacodad54
·1 year agoYes tube in a box. I order items that come in a tube from a non-Ebay site. They always put the tube inside of a rectangular box. The tubes are thick and sturdy. I always figured it was to prevent problems in transit.
It looks as if there's another reason to do this now..................
wastingtime101
OP1 year agoI've actually done tube-in-a-box with UPS for years @roccotacodad54 and it's to avoid that surcharge.
The only new part is this will now apply to USPS (or will if it's approved, and I expect it will be).
richard1rst
·1 year agoPersonally I think you are seeing things which are not there. Actually what D says is
d) Other (e.g., parcels prepared under DMM sections 601.3.0 and DMM 601.4.0. with contents that may cause the parcel to roll or not maintain the integrity of the packaging during processing)
There is nothing there that says "change dimensions" or "move inside the envelope"
A large can inside an envelope is going to cause the parcel to roll
Something capable of cutting through the packaging (including envelopes) will not maintain the integrity of the packaging
stainlessenginecovers
·1 year agoFar from it. As I highlighted in Red- it is NOT just 'something that rolls' but ALSO states "not maintain the integrity of the package", so if the item 'moves' inside the package to a point that the envelope may get 're-shaped'; then that could CLEARLY fall under that statement.
"D" is very vague, trying to mimic what UPS/Fedex does with 'surcharges'.
wastingtime101
OP1 year agoActually I disagree with that part of it. If you have something in an envelope that moves around inside the envelope - that won't make a difference.
If you have something inside an envelope that's round and causes the envelope to roll - that's where there will be a problem.
As for not maintain integrity - that is mostly for items that are, for example, too heavy for the box and the box shape gets distorted and gets reshaped.
stainlessenginecovers
·1 year ago@wastingtime101 I hope you are correct. I'll find out come July/August as many of the items I send in a Bubble Manila Envelope that are much smaller than the envelope and can 're-shape' the envelope; in fact, it does when I simply put on the label or stuff it in the bag for the mailman to pick up.
wastingtime101
OP1 year agoYeah I don't think you need to spend a nanosecond worrying about that @stainlessenginecovers - not at all what this is about. You'll be fine.