Misconceptions about the USPS Dim Weight increase.

[penguins_dont_fly]

Good morning all ...

I've been browsing the forum this morning and have seen a lot of comments about "New dimensional weight" pricing and there seems to be a bit of confusion going on.

Not all USPS packages are affected by this change. Shipping regular sized boxes is not affected.

First Class Package services is not affected at all. Only lightweight oversized boxes shipped Priority, Priority Express and Parcel are affected.

""Oversized" = a total dimension of over 1 cubic foot.

If you are shipping small items in a box, padded envelope or poly mailer ... this does not affect you at all.

Priority has always had what was called a "balloon rate" charge for oversized packages.  In fact, between January and today, the balloon rate charges have been suspended altogether because of the delay in making this change ... before the regular January increase, you were charged dim weight at the old formula. This s nothing new. They have only changed the way it is calculated.

Shipping Easy has a really good explanation, easy to understand:

https://shippingeasy.com/blog/2019-dimensional-weight-changes/

[penguins_dont_fly]

To add to my post ... If you use USPS packaging or eBay branded boxes ...

There are no USPS branded boxes that are over 1 cubic foot. (Unless you have some old Regional C boxes laying around).

There is only 1 eBay branded box that would be considered oversized ... and I don't even think they carry it anymore... 18x14x12

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@penguins_dont_fly wrote: ... Not all USPS packages are affected by this change. Shipping regular sized boxes is not affected.

First Class Package services is not affected at all. Only lightweight oversized boxes shipped Priority, Priority Express and Parcel are affected.

""Oversized" = a total dimension of over 1 cubic foot....

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USPS uses the term "Oversized" in a different way: To describe Parcel Select Ground and Retail Ground packages that have a length-plus-girth over 108 inches.  So it's best to not use that term to describe packages that are subject to the dimensional weight policies.

As noted, dimensional weight only affects packages that are over 1 cubic foot (1728 cubic inches).

There are 3 changes:

1. Dimensional weight now applies to all zones, not just 5 - 9.

2. Dimensional weight now applies to Parcel Select Ground as well as to Priority Mail.

3.  The divisor, formerly 194, is now 166.

[beez5720]

I think the problem that most sellers will have with this is that if the dimensions or packaging preferences are not already specified in the listing, they still have to provide those for any PM shipment. Most packages probably do not go over the one cubic foot threshold, but there's no way to know it until those dimensions are given.

[penguins_dont_fly]

@nobody*s_perfect 

I know that 🙂

I was really just trying to keep it simple for the "I can't afford to ship in a box" panic-stricken folks. And why I linked the very user-friendly explanation from Shipping Easy.

[penguins_dont_fly]

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@beez5720 wrote:
I think the problem that most sellers will have with this is that if the dimensions or packaging preferences are not already specified in the listing, they still have to provide those for any PM shipment. Most packages probably do not go over the one cubic foot threshold, but there's no way to know it until those dimensions are given.

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Yes.  Which it is why sellers should be vigilant about providing exact package sizing when listing.

[fern*wood]

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@beez5720 wrote:
I think the problem that most sellers will have with this is that if the dimensions or packaging preferences are not already specified in the listing, they still have to provide those for any PM shipment. Most packages probably do not go over the one cubic foot threshold, but there's no way to know it until those dimensions are given.

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We have always needed to be conscientious of the box dimensions when listing, due to the rates to far off zones.  When I buy items I have always imagined the box size before making my final decision.  

Sellers that didn't take the size into account would complain about where the seller lived and want to block those locations since the calculator didn't charge enough, but they could have avoided the problem by listing properly.  Now a seller can't be lazy and hope for a local sale to bail them out.

[orangehound]

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@penguins_dont_fly wrote:

Good morning all ...

I've been browsing the forum this morning and have seen a lot of comments about "New dimensional weight" pricing and there seems to be a bit of confusion going on.

Not all USPS packages are affected by this change. Shipping regular sized boxes is not affected.

First Class Package services is not affected at all. Only lightweight oversized boxes shipped Priority, Priority Express and Parcel are affected.

""Oversized" = a total dimension of over 1 cubic foot.

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I plan to get some clarity today on whether or not USPS Retail Ground has the dim weights ... the eBay calculator is showing the dim weights for Retail Ground, but the USPS Notice 123 does not.   The postmaster at my local branch said that they wouldn't be able to tell me one way or another until today (after the software updates).

[mycheaperstuff]

I am confused by what USPS services are available for large heavy packages over 1 cu ft (e.g. over 10 pounds). Are all the service options available from ebay labels?

Today if see just priority mail, express priority, and parcel select.

I look forward to your findings, @orangehound. Currently eBay shows the cost of priority and parcel select are about the same.

It would think USPS would provide some alternative services at lower prices.

[baantiques]

fed ex has been doing that for years

[orangehound]

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@mycheaperstuff wrote:

I am confused by what USPS services are available for large heavy packages over 1 cu ft (e.g. over 10 pounds). Are all the service options available from ebay labels?

Today if see just priority mail, express priority, and parcel select.

I look forward to your findings, @orangehound. Currently eBay shows the cost of priority and parcel select are about the same.

It would think USPS would provide some alternative services at lower prices.

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@mycheaperstuff 

The results of my questions are in this thread

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/How-to-ship-large-packages-via-USPS-shipping-WITHOUT-dimension...

However, that doesn't necessarily address large heavy packages ... just large.

[penguins_dont_fly]

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@mycheaperstuff wrote:

I am confused by what USPS services are available for large heavy packages over 1 cu ft (e.g. over 10 pounds). Are all the service options available from ebay labels?

Today if see just priority mail, express priority, and parcel select.

I look forward to your findings, @orangehound. Currently eBay shows the cost of priority and parcel select are about the same.

It would think USPS would provide some alternative services at lower prices.

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@mycheaperstuff 

"Heavy" is relative.

The way Dim Weight works is that you pay whichever is greater ... the dimensional weight or actual weight.

USPS has a Max weight of 70 lbs.

[frodobagginskennedy]

I ship large 24/12/12 or 18/18/18 boxes all the time.  Very seldom can I use USPS due to the extra charges.  FEDEX is my go to shipper.

[penguins_dont_fly]

So … I just threw together a very simple (non-professional LOL) flow chart for anybody who might still have questions about whether Dim Weight applies when using USPS for shipping.

[berserkerplanet]