Explain the logic of USPS rate for irregular packages

[momnpopattic]

USPS says anything other than a rectangular/square box is irregular. Packages over 108 total inches pay a much higher fee. OK so using USPS guidelines let's figure the dimensions of a 60" x 10" tube. Take the length (60), plus height at the widest part of the package (10), plus width at the widest part (10). We have now created a virtual rectangle measuring 80 total inches.  We have determined how much space our package could possibly take up because the cylinder could fit INSIDE the rectangle. But USPS also wants the girth of the package, despite the fact that the package cannot occupy more space than our predetermined rectangle. So girth is 10" x Pi (3.14)  =  31.4". Now our dimensions are 111.4 total inches and over the 108" threshold. Can someone explain the logic, if any, of the USPS calculations? Is this not a blatant rip off?

[orangehound]

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@momnpopattic wrote:

Can someone explain the logic, if any, of the USPS calculations? Is this not a blatant rip off?

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The size/shape restrictions have to do with packages that are not compatible with automated handling systems.  They have to be handled manually ...

Granted, it might be able to handle a measurement of 111 just as easily as 108, but there has to be a cutoff somewhere and they made it 108.

[Anonymous]

The girth of your 10" rectangle is 40" + 60" length = 100" - the girth of the 10" tube is 31.4" + 60" = 91.4"

[andrew547]

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@orangehound wrote:The size/shape restrictions have to do with packages that are not compatible with automated handling systems.  They have to be handled manually ...

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They also create other inefficiencies, like tending to reduce the amount of mail USPS can fit into airline cargo hold containers. The more "irregular" the size and shape, the more empty space they create.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@momnpopattic wrote: ...  let's figure the dimensions of a 60" x 10" tube. Take the length (60), plus height at the widest part of the package (10), plus width at the widest part (10). We have now created a virtual rectangle measuring 80 total inches. ... USPS also wants the girth of the package .... girth is 10" x Pi (3.14)  =  31.4". Now our dimensions are 111.4 total inches and over the 108" threshold. Can someone explain the logic, if any, of the USPS calculations? Is this not a blatant rip off?

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Your calculations are double-counting the package's girth. USPS doesn't do that.

[momnpopattic]

USPS requires the girth of the actual package. I can see the need to measure overall width and height (10 + 10) because you need a 60 x 10 x 10 space to fit it on a truck or plane. But there is no reason to measure the girth of the object contained within that 60 x 10 x 10 space.

[momnpopattic]

The length, height and width measurements account for that extra (dead) space.  My 60 x 10 tube requires a rectangular space measuring 60 x 10 x 10. Makes perfect sense and I'll pay for the total amount of space my package will occupy. But why you would measure the girth of an object when the total amount of required space, 60 x 10 x 10 is already accounted for. 

[andrew547]

I think the answer is that packing irregular shapes is far less efficient than that tiny amount of dead space you imagine as the difference between a tube and a rectangle. You can stack and pack square and rectangle packages. You can't stack irregular shapes. You have to find room on top of the cargo container, or on the sides, or stuff them in somehow. They end up with more unused space than just that "dead air" you imagine.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

eBay shipping calculator didn't ask for girth so I went to USPS and clicked a rectangle of 60x10x10 and got a shipping quote of $50 then choose "irregular" package 60x10x10 + Girth of 32 and got a $44 quote. So a tube is a bit cheaper to ship than a rectangle. Surprisingly eBays calculator also comes up with $44 when selecting "irregular" but has no input for a girth or circumference and may just assume tube. eBay then discounts that $44 to $36.

They seem to only ask for girth or circumference of irregular packages at the widest part to double-check the height and widths you entered, the two different dimensions are not additive but rather the lesser of either H+Wx2 or girth.

[momnpopattic]

**bleep**, You're correct. Thanks for taking the time to compare regular and nonregular.  I had not checked the price of shipping a regular 60x10x10 box. II assumed (and you know what happens when you assume) that irregular would be higher because of the extra girth measurement. It does, in fact, cost more than a tube shape. 

Thanks to all who replied.

[nobody*s_perfect]

  The tube costs less because its volume is less.  The  "extra girth measurement" is used instead of the regular girth measurement.