USPS Charges Fee On “Underweight” Items?

[living.on.auctions]

Hi!

Does anyone have a chart or some type of outline of what we are charged if the usps says we “underpaid” for shipping.

I can’t find any info on whether there is a surcharge or not.

Example: 

our scale says a package is 1 pound 0 ounce (shipping costs 10.50) but the usps says it weighs 1 pound 2 ounce (shipping would cost 12.50).

Will they charge just the missing postage of 2.50 or will they also charge some kind of fee?

[inhawaii · Accepted solution]

They charge only the difference.

No fee or penalty.

[dhbookds]

You will be billed for the difference..........the amount will be deducted from your payouts.... it's not a fee.....but rather the amount you should have paid......

You need to re calibrate your scale if there is a difference between it and the USPS weight.......

[living.on.auctions]

Thanks!

[coolections]

NO, fee. They only charge the difference in cost. Sounds like it is time for a new scale.

[hurryagain]

Now if it makes it to your buyer as postage due, that's a whole other story.

The postage due difference on that end will be the retail rate and not the lower commercial rate that we currently pay so it gets quite expensive if USPS only catches the descrepency on the receiving (buyers) end so do try to be as accurate as possible.  I personally would add a few ounces to my postage when I know that it won't cost me more or much more.

Example:  I will put 8oz on my label even if the package only weighs 6oz because there isn't any difference in cost on the commercial rate but if it got to my buyer as being 7oz instead of 6oz, technically USPS can charge us a retail rate for that descrepency.

@living.on.auctions 

[postcardcountry]

They have said (some where, some time) that if you ship first class parcel and it's overweight / oversize for that category, they will up the shipping to the cost of priority.

If your box is exactly 1 lb, I would still be inclined to ship as if 2 lbs......then if my scale is off I am covered.

[a_c_green]

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@hurryagain wrote:

Example:  I will put 8oz on my label even if the package only weighs 6oz because there isn't any difference in cost on the commercial rate but if it got to my buyer as being 7oz instead of 6oz, technically USPS can charge us a retail rate for that discrepancy.

@living.on.auctions 

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No, 7 ounces vs. 6 ounces is still within the same 4-ounce price range (4.1 - 8.0 ounces), regardless of the price (commercial vs. retail). There would be no discrepancy to be flagged.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@a_c_green wrote:

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@hurryagain wrote:

Example:   ...  if it got to my buyer as being 7oz instead of 6oz, technically USPS can charge us a retail rate for that discrepancy.

@living.on.auctions 

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No, 7 ounces vs. 6 ounces is still within the same 4-ounce price range (4.1 - 8.0 ounces), regardless of the price (commercial vs. retail). There would be no discrepancy to be flagged.

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I think he was implying that the PO could charge you the difference between the online price for 6 ounces vs the retail price for 7 ounces. I don't find that plausible; the online label wasn't underpaid.  

[hurryagain]

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@a_c_green wrote:

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@hurryagain wrote:

Example:  I will put 8oz on my label even if the package only weighs 6oz because there isn't any difference in cost on the commercial rate but if it got to my buyer as being 7oz instead of 6oz, technically USPS can charge us a retail rate for that discrepancy.

@living.on.auctions 

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No, 7 ounces vs. 6 ounces is still within the same 4-ounce price range (4.1 - 8.0 ounces), regardless of the price (commercial vs. retail). There would be no discrepancy to be flagged.

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I don't take my chances.  Reason being is say they did flag it... even though we know that 4-8oz is the same $ amount, I would worry that since I was one oz off they could charge me the RETAIL difference from the commercial rate. 

So say the retail rate was $4.25 for 4-8oz but the commercial rate was $4.85 for 4-8oz.

Just because I put 6oz instead of 7oz I wonder if they could charge me the 60 cents difference between retail and commercial rate because I made a clerical error (even though 4-8oz is the same cost) they get you on a technical thing.

I just don't take the chance.  To each their own.  It gives me peace of mind.

🙂

[iamalwaysright]

Your title is misleading. It made me wonder why would USPS charge you if your package was underweight?

You are asking about USPS charging you if your package is overweight (heavier than your postage states).

[hurryagain]

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@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

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@a_c_green wrote:

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@hurryagain wrote:

Example:   ...  if it got to my buyer as being 7oz instead of 6oz, technically USPS can charge us a retail rate for that discrepancy.

@living.on.auctions 

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No, 7 ounces vs. 6 ounces is still within the same 4-ounce price range (4.1 - 8.0 ounces), regardless of the price (commercial vs. retail). There would be no discrepancy to be flagged.

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I think he was implying that the PO could charge you the difference between the online price for 6 ounces vs the retail price for 7 ounces. I don't find that plausible; the online label wasn't underpaid.  

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I like that explanation.  I will take it up with someone that I have gotten a great relationship with and ask him.  He knows that I do what I do but has never said that it wouldn't matter because the label itself isn't underpaid.  It's a great view of this scenario.

@nobody*s_perfect Thank you

[living.on.auctions]

Thanks so much for that help!

I just went ahead and made all my auctions that were 4oz or below a 4oz rate and then anything from 4.1oz to 8oz a 8oz rate!

that’s a great tip!

[living.on.auctions]

With the old difference in shipping I would always round up but the prices fluctuate so much (almost 3.50 more for the next ounce up for my package going to CA from NY) that I just took the risk and left it.

[living.on.auctions]

LoL thanks for the correction!

Youre absolutely correct