"Combined length and girth"...I want to make sure I'm doing this correctly

[cleaning.the.attic]

When I print labels, for a 1st class package it says "Up to 16 ounces and 84 inches in combined length and girth". I have always understood that to mean measure all the way around the package (add width+width+height+height) and then add length/longest dimension to all that. Is that correct?

And for a package that's not a box--for instance, a full plastic/poly mailer bag, so pretty much a big cylinder, that is 47" around -like a belt- and 28" long, (and it's under a pound) that fits the requirements for 1st class?

Just want to make sure I am doing that right, thank you!

[muttlymob]

I have always understood that to mean measure all the way around the package (add width+width+height+height) and then add length/longest dimension to all that. Is that correct?

Yup.

so pretty much a big cylinder, that is 47" around -like a belt- and 28" long, (and it's under a pound) that fits the requirements for 1st class?

Also yup, if the cylinder is longer than it is wide. 

If it is short and wide, the girth would be diameter + diameter + height + height.  Length would be the diameter (longest dimension of the cylinder.)

[nobody*s_perfect · Accepted solution]

First of all, you should ignore whatever the ebay programmers have set up, and instead heed the actual USPS regulations, which state:

8.3.2 Size

The address side of the parcel must be large enough to contain all delivery and return address, endorsement, postage, and label elements. A First-Class Package Service — Commercial parcel is:

1. A mailpiece that exceeds any one of the maximum dimensions for a flat (large envelope). See 4.0.
2. A flat-size mailpiece, regardless of thickness, that is rigid or nonrectangular.
3. A flat-size mailpiece that is not uniformly thick (has bumps, protrusions, or other irregularities that cause the thickness to vary more than 1/4 inch).
4. A mailpiece that does not exceed 22 inches in length, or 18 inches in width, or 15 inches in thickness.

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/201.htm#ep1097318

 So apparently an envelope that's 28 inches is too big.  

However, your understanding of length-plus-girth is correct.  A package that's 10 by 15 by 20 inches would have a length-plus-girth of 20 + (10 + 15 + 10 + 15)= 20 + 50 = 70 inches.

[cleaning.the.attic]

Well, that throws a wrench in the works.

BUT... I know I can mail a 15 ounce package via 1st class with eBay labels, but not if I go into my local PO with a small package for granny that weighs 15 ounces. Just through eBay.

So...if eBay label maker doesn't have the "does not exceed 22 inches in length, or 18 inches in width, or 15 inches in thickness" part, does that also trump the regular USPS mail rules?..

Thanks for the heads up though.

[nobody*s_perfect]

Nothing that eBay says about USPS rules would override USPS policy.

The USPS weight limit for retail first class packages is 13 ounces; for online labels, it's 15.999 ounces.

The text that I quoted above related to size limits for First Class packages was taken from the Domestic Mail Manual section about commercial rates, not the section about retail rates.

[cleaning.the.attic]

Okay, thank you, I see that now. 

I wish eBay had that info on their label form.

You don't even have to put dimensions in when doing a 1st class label. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

The eBay label prep form is very flawed.