Box size and weight

[morsedolls]

I have a question on entering weight and box size when listing an item to sell.

If the box size is 8 1/2" wide for example, do I enter 9"?  or 8"?

If the weight is  2lbs and 8.5 oz for example, do I enter 2lbs and 9oz?

Thank you for your help.

[1786davycrockett]

@morsedolls 

To be on the safe side for shipping, round upwards and not downwards.

So 8-1/2" becomes 9", and 2 lbs, 8.5 oz should be 2 lbs, 9 oz.

Keep in mind that your packages may become more flattened during the shipping process, and may also acquire some additionally weight from exterior soiling -- so always think "up," instead of "down."

[morsedolls]

Thank you so much for your reply.  Just what I wanted to know.

[kalyoth]

you always round up to next whole inch on dimensions. Same for weight - below 1 lb. it is nearest ounce. In some cases I add up to 3 ounces if the weight doesn't change pricing. It is safer & tends to protect you on dimensional changes. For all the charge stories - hasn't hit me once.

[nobody*s_perfect]

---

@kalyoth wrote:

you always round up to next whole inch on dimensions. Same for weight - below 1 lb. it is nearest ounce....

---

Incorrect.  USPS always rounds UP on weights. For instance, 8.3 ounces would be entered as 9 ounces, not as 8 ounces.

For dimensions it's more complicated. For most services, they round to the NEAREST inch.  So 8.3 inches would be entered as 8 inches. But for Cubic rate measurements they round DOWN to the nearest 1/4 inch for packages, and it's even trickier for envelopes:

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/223.htm#ep1405178

.

[1786davycrockett]

@nobody*s_perfect 

@morsedolls 

The information which you provided is listed by USPS under "Cubic Mail."

When a seller is preparing to make a shipping label from the "Ship your order screen," what is clearly requested is the weight to the next upward ounce, plus the height, width & depth to the next upward inch.

The eBay instructions read as follows --

"Is your package size correct?

Please make sure you enter the correct package size and dimensions to avoid additional charges from your chosen carrier (i.e., enter 14 when it weighs 13.2 oz)"

[nobody*s_perfect]

---

@1786davycrockett wrote:

@nobody*s_perfect 

@morsedolls 

The information which you provided is listed by USPS under "Cubic Mail."

When a seller is preparing to make a shipping label from the "Ship your order screen," what is clearly requested is the weight to the next upward ounce, plus the height, width & depth to the next upward inch.

The eBay instructions read as follows --

"Is your package size correct?

Please make sure you enter the correct package size and dimensions to avoid additional charges from your chosen carrier (i.e., enter 14 when it weighs 13.2 oz)"

---

As noted above and in the eBay instructions, USPS rounds up for weights.

Package dimensions affect the price of eBay's USPS postage labels only (1) for Cubic rates; (2) when packages incur dimensional rates; or (3) surcharges for length over 22 inches.  I provided details about the Cubic measurement process because it's complicated.  As noted, otherwise dimensions are rounded OFF to the nearest inch; they are not rounded up.  Here's the DMM section on rounding off package dimensions:

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/223.htm

[1786davycrockett]

@nobody*s_perfect 

Right -- I can see the confusion now.

Thanks for the clarification.