USPS priority large box uses dimensional rates by fractions of inches

[boscobosco12]

                           I just packaged and shipped some china.  I put it in a USPS Priority large box  (Not flat rate).  I was charged dimensional rate, $ 15 more than regular rate.  The large priority box is a fraction of an inch too large on all 3 dimensions.  USPS says you have to round up= dimensional rate.  This was a total surprise to me. I assumed that USPS boxes would not require dimensional rate.  I will use my own box from now on for large items.  Thought others might not know this so its a heads up. 

[scga912]

None of the current USPS Priority boxes incur dimensional weight charges.

The Large, No 7 Box is 12x12x8.  Even if rounded up, it would be 13x13x9 which is still less than 1 cu ft.

For Dimensional Weight, USPS rounds to the closest whole number, so down is possible.

[scga912]

Here's the link:

https://pe.usps.com/text/qsg300/Q120.htm

The box in their example is 20 x 20.25 x 20.75

Priority Mail dimensional weight for rectangular shaped parcels to zones 1–9.

1. Measure the length, width, and height in inches. Round off 1 each measurement to the nearest whole inch:
   (length = 21, height = 20, and width = 20).

1. Round off (e.g., 20.5 rounded off to the next whole number is 21, and 20.4 rounded off is 20), see 604.7.1.3.

Or this link:

https://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/dmm300/123.pdf

[boscobosco12]

Did USPS discontinue the Priority Large that is 15 +" x 11+" x 11+" ? That is the box I used .  It was clearly marked USPS Priority Large Mailing Box.  Trust me, it takes dimensional rate.  I paid it. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@boscobosco12 wrote: ....  The large priority box is a fraction of an inch too large on all 3 dimensions.  USPS says you have to round up= dimensional rate ....

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Which box did you use?  The only free Priority Mail box that is over 1 cubic foot is the Regional C box, which hasn't been produced for many years; after it was discontinued USPS produced a  "large" box with identical dimensions but it was offered for just for a few months, apparently using up the stock.  Anyway, at 12 by 12 by 15 inches, that box is clearly subject to the dimensional rate.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@boscobosco12 wrote:

Did USPS discontinue the Priority Large that is 15 +" x 11+" x 11+" ? That is the box I used .  It was clearly marked USPS Priority Large Mailing Box.  Trust me, it takes dimensional rate.  I paid it. 

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That's probably the generic large box that was produced for a few months after the Regional C was discontinued.  I have one right here and it measures almost 15 inches on one side and almost 12 on the other two.   As noted above, that's clearly subject to the dimensional weight.  If you can get your items into a smaller box  then you should do so.

(EDIT: Even 11 by 11 by 15 inches would be dimensional rate, i.e., 1815 cubic inches.)