Exact Package Weight for USPS

[jchan1701]

Is USPS very picky about exact package weight? I know that the label can't be paid for less than the exact weight, but can I round up a pound or add a couple pounds so I'm sure it's covered?

[frodobagginskennedy]

round up to the nearest pond.  if the exact weight is1 pound 8 ounce then you would enter 2 pounds.  The USPS has a system in place that i supposed to auto correct and charge the senders ccount IF they under weigh.  Same if you add too much weight.  They are supposed to credit back the senders account.

[wastingtime101]

With the Lego set it's going to be more important you have accurate package dimensions. Those large sets often ship based on dimensional weight as it exceeds actual weight.

[robbie31415]

They are picky if you are on the border of the price tier and they measure it in the next tier. Otherwise it doesn't matter.

If your package is 1.1 lb.

you could put any number between 1.1-2.

If your package is 1.99 lb. And you buy label for 2 lb. If they measure 2.01 then you underpaid and they will adjust your price.

[bonanza125]

Yes they are picky and will return to sender if the package is under the weight. You are advised by Ebay to round up to the nears pound. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@bonanza125 wrote:

Yes they are picky and will return to sender if the package is under the weight. ...

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That is not true.  Several years ago, USPS installed special equipment at their sorting centers which can detect underpaid (or overpaid) postage, and will automatically charge 9or credit) the account of the sender.  The package recipient won't even know it happened.  

Returns to sender for underpaid postage have become very rare, in cases such as abuse of Media Mail which is detected by human staff rather than the APV machines. Here's some more information about the Automated Package Verification system:

https://link.usps.com/2017/10/05/what-is-apv/

http://pages.ebay.com/sellerinformation/ship-smart/ebay-shipping-partners/avoid-extra-postage-costs....

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@jchan1701 wrote:

Is USPS very picky about exact package weight? ... can I round up a pound or add a couple pounds so I'm sure it's covered?

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Why on earth would you voluntarily overpay for postage? Just get a good scale and enter the actual package weight. Round up to the nearest pound if it makes you feel better.

[bonanza125]

Lets look at this a different way. I personally have experienced typing in a weight of 5 oz and instead it was 6.2 oz. It got shipped back.  I also typed in 8 oz instead of 8.3 oz. The package got shipped back. The cost to ship was the exact same price but just a tad over as far as weight. I personally thought it was no big deal however the local post office shipped it back. So now I round up that way I avoid that problem.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@bonanza125 wrote: .... I personally have experienced typing in a weight of 5 oz and instead it was 6.2 oz. It got shipped back.  I also typed in 8 oz instead of 8.3 oz. The package got shipped back. The cost to ship was the exact same price ...

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That makes no sense at all, even when the weight difference would have affected the postage price (i.e., 8.0 vs 8.3 ounces).  Your local PO isn't even supposed to be checking up on the weights of packages with online postage labels, much less enforcing made-up rules. The APV system was developed to simplify the tasks of PO staff, especially as related to online postage.

[fern*wood]

Never heard of that happening before. 

BTW--the cost of an 8.3oz package isn't the same as an 8oz package..

[cottagehillvanilla]

Why would you 'round up a pound or two'?  purchase a reliable digital scale, when the wt. is for ex. is 2.8 lbs. round up to 3 lbs. I ship USPS Ground Advantage have not had any issues with Carrier 

[bonanza125]

Well not every post office is the same. My post office checks so does many other ones that I know of around the US.  I have actually seen clerks look at every label of packages dropped off at this one area where drop offs are made.  I hope you learned something new. Out of respect for the OP lets move on from this conversation.