Does Usps Charge By Weight Or Size In 2022? (Full Guide)

The options of UPS, FedEx, and the United States Postal Service have made it easier to send a package.

But have you ever brought your package to the post office, had them price it for you and found yourself surprised by the cost (in a good or a bad way)?

The question you might be asking is: Is USPS charged by weight, or size? They arrived at the same price by calculating weight and size. This is the information you should know.

Are USPS charges by size or weight in 2022?

The United States Postal Service usually charges according to weight and distance. However, some postal services may use dimensional-weight pricing to charge parcels exceeding certain size limitations. Dimensional Weight Pricing factors length, width, and height. Some companies offer flat-rate shipping options for parcels that weigh up to 70 lbs.

Do you find this confusing? Let me tell you what USPS charges per-pound for each service. It will also explain whether USPS is charging more to ship UPS, or USPS. And whether your box costs less to ship. Keep reading for all those details!

How much does USPS shipping cost per pound?

Cost to ship a package depends on how far it will take and what type of USPS service you have chosen.

Parcels can be sent by First-Class Package Service Retail Ground, Priority Mail Express or Retail Ground.

If the maximum size has not been reached, four of these items may be shipped by their dimensional weight (DIM). USPS calculates DIM by: Length x Width x Height / 166.

Here’s a list of all types and prices for parcel shipping, with their respective ranges in price per pound.

First-Class Package Service-Retail

First-Class Package Service can be used for small packages less than 13 oz.

Packages usually take anywhere from 1 to 3 days.

Prices start at $4/oz. for 1 oz.; rise to $6.25/13oz.

Retail ground

This USPS tracking service can be used when the packages are too big for Priority Mail, Priority Express or Priority Express.

Retail ground limits are 70 lbs 120 inches combined length and width

Prices start at $7.70 for one pound and climb to $49 for 70 lbs.

If the parcel is larger than the limit, DIM pricing could be used.

Priority Mail

This service is the “next step up” from First Class shipping

The delivery time is slightly faster, usually within 1-3 business day. Sunday deliveries are possible (for an additional cost). This includes sending letters, large envelopes, and parcels.

All parcels must weigh no more than 70 lbs. Minimum 70-pounds, maximum 108ins in length and width

For one pound prices begin at $7.70 and reach $49 for 70 pounds.

Flat Rate Shipping is also available. It starts at $7.95 per envelope, $8.45 to small boxes, $15.50 to medium boxes and $21.90 large boxes.

If the parcel’s dimensions exceed those limits, DIM pricing is possible.

Priority Mail Express

This is the fastest service and offers next-day or 2-day delivery on all letters, parcels, and envelopes

All parcels must weigh no more than 70 lbs. or less, with a combined length and girth of 108 inches max

The prices start at $26.35 per half-pound and go up to $184.30 when you buy 70 pounds.

Priority Express also offers flat rate envelopes at a range of $22.75 to $33.25

If the parcel is larger than the limit, DIM pricing could be used.

Select parcel

This is for frequent shippers that don’t require their parcels to arrive in a hurry, and want the lowest shipping rates.

Limit weight to 70 lbs the combined size and length limits are 108 inches long and 108 inches wide

The price of one pound starts at only $3.30, while the cost for a 70-lb. Only $9.24 for a package!

If parcels exceed the size limit, DIM pricing might be applied.

The best method to determine your shipping costs before you ship is by using the USPS.com shipping calculator.

Are You More Affordable to Ship a USPS Box or UPS Mail?

USPS can be beaten when it concerns low parcel shipping rates.

That applies to shipping competitor UPS, which is generally priced higher (sometimes much higher) than your government-run Postal Service for basic parcel shipping.

Additionally, USPS’s flat-rate shipping options are difficult to beat. Their flat-rate shipping options are affordable and you will be able to ship many items in one box.

If your item is extremely heavy, though, it may not be possible to pay extra for UPS or FedEx shipping.

USPS won’t send anything heavier than 70 lbs. so you should consider a different shipping company.

Are You able to send USPS parcels with your own boxes?

It all depends on your item’s weight whether it is cheaper to send USPS without your box.

You can ship something 60 lbs. or more and fit into a USPS Priority Mail Flat rate box. That is the most economical option.

You can get the box free of charge at any post office. The flat rate is $21.90 for large boxes.

A 60-lb. item can be shipped for as low as $42.90. A 60-lb. package in its own box costs $42.90. The cost of shipping could rise to $277.15 depending how far away you ship it.

Are my boxes eligible for flat USPS rates?

USPS flat rate shipping options are not available to you. These include Priority Flat Rate Flat Rate or Priority Express Flatrate.

Instead of using the USPS-approved box, which comes in three sizes (aswell as some envelope options), you should use them.

You can learn more about Priority Flat Rate Boxes by visiting this page. Priority Express currently offers flat rate envelopes, for which the prices can be found here.

For any USPS flat rate shipping service, your personal box can be used.

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.

Conclusion

USPS most commonly uses weight and distance to calculate shipping costs, though sometimes, when a package exceeds size limits, weight, size and distance come into play.

Use USPS PriorityMail Flat Rate Shipping to Save Money – If you own an item that fits well, it will often cost tens or more than FedEx.

.Does Usps Charge By Weight Or Size In 2022? (Full Guide)