Does Usps Charge By Weight Or Size In 2022? (Full Guide)
It’s never been simpler to ship a package with FedEx, UPS and, yes, even the United States Postal Service (USPS).
Did you know that you could take your packages to the post offices and have them estimate the costs?
Perhaps you have ever wondered if USPS charges by weight? You might wonder how they arrived at this price. Let’s find out.
Is the USPS charging by weight or size in 2022?
Most often, the United States Postal Service charges by weight or distance. This is common with Priority Express and First-Class mail. If the parcel is larger than these limits, certain services might apply dimensional weight pricing. The dimensions weight pricing factor in the length, height, or width of the parcel. For parcels over 70 lbs, some services provide flat-rate shipping at a reasonable cost.
How Much Does USPS Shipping Cost Per Pound?
Shipping a parcel is priced per pound based on which USPS shipping option you choose and how far your item travels.
You can ship parcels via First-Class Package Service-Retail, Retail Ground, Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express.
Four of these may ship by dimensional weight (DIM), if the size maximum has been exceeded. USPS calculates DIM by: Length x Width x Height / 166.
These are all the parcel shipping options, broken down by the range of price per pound, Flat-Rate or DIM pricing.
First-Class Package Service applies to smaller packages that weigh less than 13 oz.
The price for one ounce starts at $4, and goes up to $6.25 for thirteen ounces.
Prices start at $7.70 a pound and reach $49 for 70lbs.
DIM pricing may be applied if parcel exceeds size limit.
For one pound prices begin at $7.70 and reach $49 for 70 pounds.
If the parcel is larger than the limit, DIM pricing could be used.
Prices for one-half-pound start at $26.35 and increase to $184.30 for 70lbs.
If the dimensions of the parcel are exceeded, DIM pricing is possible.
DIM pricing can be applied to parcels exceeding the maximum size.
Ultimately, the best way to calculate your shipping costs beforehand is to use USPS.com’s handy shipping calculator tool, here.
Is It Cheaper To Send A Box UPS Or USPS?
USPS can be beaten when it concerns low parcel shipping rates.
The same applies for UPS, a competitor shipping company that is usually priced higher than your government’s Postal Service basic parcel shipping.
USPS offers flat-rate shipping that is hard to beat. You can send a lot with one flat-rate box, as there is no weight limit.
You may have to shell out more for FedEx or UPS shipping, especially if the item you are purchasing is heavy.
USPS is unable to send items exceeding 70 lbs.
Is It Cheaper To Ship USPS With Your Own Box?
It is dependent on the item’s total weight whether USPS shipping with your own container will be cheaper.
If you’re shipping something heavy, like 60 pounds, it can fit in a USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate box. This is the cheapest option.
The box is free (you can pick one up in any post office lobby) and the flat rate for a large box is $21.90.
It costs $60 to ship a 60-lb. Shipping a 60-lb. item to your home starts at $42.90 and can go up as high as $277.15 depending on the distance.
What if I have my own box?
USPS does not allow you to use your personal box when shipping flat rates, including Priority Flat and Priority Express Flat Rate.
The USPS-approved boxes are better. You can choose from three sizes as well several different envelope options.
To learn more about Priority flat rate boxes, you can visit this page here (Priority Express only offers flat rate envelopes at this time, which you can find the prices for here).
However, you can still use your box to ship any other shipping service than the flat-rate shipping options offered by USPS.
To know more about USPS, you can also read our posts on whether or not USPS scans packages, if USPS updates tracking, and if USPS charges for change of address.
The USPS uses distance and weight most often to determine shipping costs. However, USPS can sometimes use weight, size, and distance when shipping costs exceed size limits.
A good way to save money, if your item fits, is to use USPS Priority Mail flat rate shipping, which often costs tens of dollars less than competitors like UPS or FedEx.
.Does Usps Charge By Weight Or Size In 2022? (Full Guide)