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

With options like UPS, FedEx or the USPS, shipping a parcel has never been more simple.

Did you know that you could take your packages to the post offices and have them estimate the costs?

Maybe you’ve wondered whether USPS charges for weight or size. It is not clear how the price was determined. What do you need to know?

Does USPS Charge By Weight Or Size In 2022?

The United States Postal Service most commonly charges based on weight and distance, as with First-Class mail and Priority Express. If the parcel is larger than these limits, certain services might apply dimensional weight pricing. Dimensional Weight Pricing factors length, width, and height. Flat-rate shipping is available for parcels up 70 pounds.

Is that 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. Continue reading to find out all the details.

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.

Parcels can be sent via First Class Package Service-Retail or Retail Ground as well as Priority Mail Express 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.

Below are some examples of the different parcel shipping services. Each is broken down according to the price-per pound and any Flat-Rate pricing.

First-Class Package Service-Retail

First-Class Package Service only applies to small packages with less than 13oz.

Packages take typically between 1 and 3 working days

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

Retail ground

This USPS tracking is available and can be used to locate packages too large for Priority Mail.

Retail Ground Limits: 70 lb 120 inches combined length and width

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

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

Priority Mail

This is the next step above First Class shipping

It is slightly faster (1-3 business days), can deliver on Sundays (for an additional fee) and includes shipping of letters, large envelopes and parcels

A parrot must be at least 70 lbs. Minimum 70-pounds, maximum 108ins in length and width

The prices start at $7.70 per pound and go up to $49 when you buy 70 lbs.

This flat rate shipping service is available at a starting price of $7.95 for envelopes and $8.45 in medium boxes. $15.50 in medium boxes, $21.90 in large boxes.

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

Priority Mail Express

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

Parcels must be 70 lbs. Minimum 70 pounds, maximum 108 ins.

Prices start at $26.35 for a half-pound, and climb to $184.30 for 70 lbs.

Priority Express also has flat-rate envelopes that range in price from $22.75 up to $23.25

DIM pricing may be applied if parcel exceeds size limit.

Select a Parcel

This service is designed for repeat shippers who do not need their parcels delivered in an urgent manner and are looking to save money on shipping.

There is a weight limit of 70 pounds Maximum length is 70 lbs.

A pound of meat costs only $3.30. For 70 pounds, the same price is available at $9.24. Packages start at $9.24

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

The most effective way to know your shipping costs in advance is to use USPS.com’s convenient shipping calculator.

Is It Cheaper To Send A Box UPS Or USPS?

USPS is the best when it comes parcel shipping prices.

This applies to UPS shipping rival, which can be more expensive than the government-run Postal Service’s basic parcel shipping.

USPS offers flat-rate shipping that is hard to beat. With a weight limit of 70 lbs., you can ship a lot of things in one of their flat-rate boxes and save a ton of money.

However, if you have a very large item, UPS and FedEx may charge extra.

USPS cannot ship anything over 70 lbs., so if your item exceeds that weight, you will have to turn to one of their competitors.

Shipping USPS with your own box is cheaper

It depends on how heavy your item is.

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.

It is available for free at all post offices. A large-sized box costs $21.90.

It costs $60 to ship a 60-lb. You can ship a 60-pound item in your box starting at $42.90. It could cost as much as $277.15 depending upon how far it is being shipped.

Can I Use My Own Box For USPS Flat Rate?

You cannot use your own box for USPS’s flat rate shipping options, such as Priority Flat Rate and Priority Express Flat Rate.

Instead, you must use the USPS-approved boxes, which come in three different sizes (as well as a few 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).

It is possible to send your own package for all shipping services except USPS’s flat rates shipping services.

For more information on USPS, please visit our post about whether USPS scans packages and updates tracking. Also, we have posts that explain if USPS charges for changing an address.

Conclusion

USPS typically uses weight and distance for shipping costs. But, sometimes weight, size and length are used when packages exceed the size limit.

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)