Questions about Box Dimensions and Weight?

[carl_ivory]

From what I understand, the dimesions printed on the outside of the box are the inside dimensions, so I should add 1 inch to each dimension when listing my item? I've seen people on youtube give tutorials and they never mention this and just put the dimensions that were on the box. If I have a 4 x 4 x 4 box. I should list it as 5 x 5 x 5, correct?

As for the weight, I know you should round up to the nearest pound. Should I add an extra 1 pound for the box and packing? For example, here is an item I have that I want to list.

Weight of main item: 17.2 lb. = 18 lb.

Weight of all additional things that come with it: 4 lb. 8.1 oz. = 5 lb.

Box and packing: 1 lb.

Total: 24 lb.

Is it a good rule of thumb to just add a pound for the box and packing? I heard someone else say to add 6 oz.

[hardrhymer76]

In the context of post-sale and actually purchasing the shipping label, you should just physically measure the box in its packed and sealed state, because that's how the carrier will be doing it. 

Weighing is the same, except the rounding can vary by carrier. UPS and FedEx typically work in 1 lb. increments, so any (even small) amount over the increment should be rounded up to the next pound. USPS deals in ounces, and rounding should be done accordingly.

For initial listing estimations, the best practice is (as you alluded to) is to overestimate in order to give you a cushion for any variances you might encounter later. Adding an inch to each printed dimension is a good idea (packaging can bulge in unexpected ways).

I like to have prepared "test" items on hand, such as a few different size bags of packing peanuts, small portions of bubble wrap, a blank shipping label, packing slip, etc. I just gather whatever box/mailer I intend to use with the appropriate test materials and weigh them together with the item. Then I round up to the next increment or even more if I think I need to.

Overall, I don't see it as big deal if I'm off by a buck or two unless the profit margin is that low. 

[hardrhymer76]

As for your example (which I didn't notice, sorry), it really just depends on how much faith you have in the accuracy of your scale. If you get a receipt upon drop-off, it will most likely have the actual weight printed on it. That should give you a pretty good idea for the future.

[richard1rst]

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@carl_ivory wrote:

From what I understand, the dimesions printed on the outside of the box are the inside dimensions, so I should add 1 inch to each dimension when listing my item?

I've seen people on youtube give tutorials and they never mention this and just put the dimensions that were on the box.

           And EXACTLY how old are those tutorials and how many rule changes have been made in the meantime.

If I have a 4 x 4 x 4 box. I should list it as 5 x 5 x 5, correct?

           NOPE 4x4x4 and 5x5x5 are both less than 1/10th of a cubic foot and will cost the same to ship regardless of their weight (it's called "cubic shipping" and it is your best friend)

As for the weight, I know you should round up to the nearest pound. Should I add an extra 1 pound for the box and packing? For example, here is an item I have that I want to list.

Weight of main item: 17.2 lb. = 18 lb.

Weight of all additional things that come with it: 4 lb. 8.1 oz. = 5 lb.

Box and packing: 1 lb.

Total: 24 lb.

Is it a good rule of thumb to just add a pound for the box and packing?

I heard someone else say to add 6 oz.

         ALL shipping companies round up the to next highest pound. 6 ounces? one pound?  24 pounds and six ounces VS 25 pounds? SAME THING

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[christworks]

The dimensions printed on the outside box can go either way. Some brands print the outside dimensions, other brand boxes print the inside dimensions.  You need to actually measure.

USPS rounds to the nearest whole inch. (e.g. 11.4" is 11"; 6.8" is 7")

FedEx and UPS always round up to the nearest whole inch.  (e.g. 11.1" is 12"; 11.8" is 12")

As far as weight, USPS has hard cutoffs for weights under 1LB.  They are 4oz, 8oz, 12oz, and 15oz. 15.1oz-15.9oz ships at the 1LB rate. From there, anything over a whole pound will round up to the next whole pound.

UPS and FedEx do not have hard cutoffs for weights under 1LB. Anything under 1LB ships at the 1LB rate. 

When I list I pretty much know what box my item will go in. I use flat rate shipping and have extra built into my rates, so even if I am off, there is almost always enough there to cover it. Maybe 1/60 packages I'm out a few dollars because I underestimated. Here lately, it has been a little more frequently when I ship to Zones 6-8 because I did not raise my rates after the last USPS hike. 

[deserdog]

13 -15.99  do not ship at the 1 lb. rate unless you buy postage directly from the post office. Example: 12x12x4, 15.99 shipped to zone 8 is $7.35 GA #12.17 priority. If I change the weight to 1 lb., then the rate is $10.02  GA and the same $12.17.

[fern*wood]

I advise having a scale and a tape measure so you don't have to guess.

[redmodelt]

You need to actually measure. Yes, yes, yes! 

[kalyoth]

I measure by packaging the item prior to listing. I use my measuring stick & measure the sealed dimensions externally,rounding each up to next inch. As to weight, only USPS has below 1lb. weight. Everyone 1lb. & up all increase per whole lb. going up.

[babyers88]

you need a scale and a tape measure

as for the rest it all depends..... on which service you are using

usps for example, anything under 12oz and not oversized all you have to enter is the weight, you can leave the size as 1x1x1 as the size is not applicable

once you hit 12oz or more then the size is calculated to the whole inch and it gives a cube rate (in many cases but not always). if you have doubts go try and enter 10oz weight and any size you want that is not oversize and the price will be the same no matter what you enter. on ground advantage.

fedex you want actual box size to the inch so if it is 12.1 it becomes 13, weight is fine 3.4lbs is 3.4lbs the system will automatically apply the weight as it wants to normally it just becomes a dimensional weight.
the latter also apply's to ups 

you can't really guess on this stuff unless you ship a ton of stuff for decades and have a pretty good idea of how much a particular item weighs based on experience.

the only thing I can add is if you are doing ups or fedex labels on there website instead of on ebay you will want to enter weight in lbs only.

****also note usps has recently added a extra fee for specific non standard packages like tubes or anything that roll's, liquid 1 gallon or more, wooden box, etc
fedex add's some HEFTY fee's for non standard packaging also I suggest reading what is applicable on there website. you can easily get hit with a pretty big fee thru fedex if you ship some particular things. I am talking hundreds, not little amounts.....

[redmodelt]

For UPS or FedEx suggest opening your own accounts and shipping through those services without going thru eBay. While you might not see discounts, any shipping issues can be handled directly by you instead of trying to go through eBay. 

[babyers88]

yes and no, yes create a free account for both

but...still use ebay for making labels, discounts, ease of use, etc

then, if you ever need to file a damage claim, then you go log into your free account and file thru there as the ebay label, shipper data, etc already matches yours

on super rare occasions if a account number is requested, you simply state you printed the label thru ebay and they can look internally and see that this is the case.

[fm2000]

The measurements on the bottom of the box are not always accurate, whether they are inside or outside dimensions. The dimensions of the box can also change when you stuff the box with dunnage like bubble wrap (the sides can bow out.) Take your box, pack it up nice and full with bubble wrap, and then measure the dimensions yourself.

Never trust what is written on the box without verifying it. Those measurements are critical for GA Cubic rates (one inch either can change the price, if the package is over a cubic foot, or is over 22" long when length surcharges kick in.

[ryry-jj]

Always measure and weigh each box, no guessing.  

[carl_ivory]

I understand that. I plan on UPS or FedEx boxing and packing it for me, because I don't have any supplies. I'm just trying to find out what box sizes they offer to fit a 41 x 12 x 4 inch Keyboard. I have a scale and I know the weight for everything (rounds up to 23 lb. + whatever the box and packing adds to it), I just need to know the exact dimensions of the box that'll be used before listing the item.