{"id":43379,"date":"2022-06-17T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-17T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shippingeasy.com\/?p=43379"},"modified":"2022-06-30T09:30:42","modified_gmt":"2022-06-30T14:30:42","slug":"faqs-about-shipment-dimensions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shippingeasy.com\/blog\/faqs-about-shipment-dimensions\/","title":{"rendered":"Shipping Unboxed: FAQs about Shipment Dimensions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Calculating your shipping rates isn\u2019t always as simple as grabbing your scale and tape measure. Sometimes, you have to know your package\u2019s DIM weight instead of the number you see on the scale. Other times, you may need to know the girth of your package to avoid surcharges or your package being returned. In this installment of our Shipping Unboxed series, we\u2019re tackling questions about shipment dimensions, and we won\u2019t keep you weighting any longer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out the first entry in our Shipping Unboxed series – Shipping Unboxed: FAQs about USPS<\/a>!<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

Question Quick Jump <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. What is actual weight?<\/a><\/li>
  2. What is billable weight?<\/a><\/li>
  3. What is DIM weight?<\/a><\/li>
  4. How do I calculate DIM weight?<\/a><\/li>
  5. What is a cubic foot?<\/a><\/li>
  6. What is girth?<\/a><\/li>
  7. What are USPS non-machinable surcharges?<\/a><\/li>
  8. What are UPS Additional Handling charges?<\/a><\/li>
  9. What are the maximum weights for USPS services?<\/a><\/li>
  10. What is the maximum weight for UPS services? <\/a><\/li>
  11. What are some UPS adjustments I can avoid?<\/a><\/li>
  12. What is override weight?<\/a><\/li>
  13. What is add to weight?<\/a><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n

    What is actual weight?<\/h2>\n\n\n

    When you place your package on the scale, the number you see is your shipment\u2019s actual weight. <\/p>\n\n\n

    What is billable weight?<\/h2>\n\n\n

    Your shipment\u2019s billable weight<\/a> is the weight the carrier actually uses to calculate your shipping cost. This weight might be your shipment\u2019s actual weight, or it might be charged by something known as DIM weight – it depends on which number is higher. Don\u2019t worry, we\u2019re about to explain DIM weight! <\/p>\n\n\n

    What is DIM weight?<\/h2>\n\n\n

    Unlike the actual weight of your shipment, DIM weight is a weight calculated by your package’s volume and not the weight you see when you place your shipment on a scale. The volume of a package is the number you get when you multiply your shipment\u2019s length x width x height, so it\u2019s based on a measurement of your package. The weight is that number we mentioned you see on the scale. <\/p>\n\n\n

    How do I calculate DIM weight?<\/h2>\n\n\n

    To find the DIM weight of your package, you\u2019ll measure your package\u2019s length, width, and height and round each side up to the nearest inch. For example, if your package\u2019s width is 4.9,\u201d you\u2019ll round it up to 5.\u201d If it\u2019s 4.3,\u201d you\u2019ll round it down to 4.\u201d Once you\u2019ve rounded those numbers, you\u2019ll multiple them together to get your shipment\u2019s volume. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Length x Width x Height = Volume <\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    If you\u2019re shipping with USPS, and the number you get for your volume is smaller than 1728, your shipping cost will be calculated using its actual weight. However, if the volume is larger than 1728, you\u2019ll move on to the steps below to find your DIM weight and get a better idea of your shipping cost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For USPS and UPS One Balance<\/a> shipments, you\u2019ll divide the volume of your shipment by 166. If you’re using your personal UPS account, you’ll divide this number by 139. For FedEx, you\u2019ll divide this number by 139. The number you get from this division is your shipment\u2019s DIM weight, and you\u2019ll compare it to your shipment\u2019s actual weight. Whichever number is bigger is the weight that\u2019ll be used for your shipment! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To recap, the actual weight of your package is what you see on the scale, and your package\u2019s DIM weight come from the volume of your package. For many carrier services, whichever number is larger is the weight you\u2019ll be charged for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Length
    DIM weight calculation for USPS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Note: Some carrier services like Regional Rate and Flat Rate Boxes are dependent on your shipment\u2019s zone and\/or have a fixed shipping rate, so we recommend reaching out to your carrier directly with any questions you may have. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Find new ways to define your shipping in Small Business Shipping Terms<\/a>.<\/h6>\n\n\n

    What is a cubic foot?<\/h2>\n\n\n

    A cubic foot is 1,728.\u201d That\u2019s where the number we mentioned in your DIM weight calculation comes from! <\/p>\n\n\n

    What is girth?<\/h2>\n\n\n

    The girth<\/a> of your package is (2 x the width of your package) + (2 x the height of your package). You might need this number if you\u2019re trying to figure out if a bigger package is mailable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"The<\/figure>\n\n\n

    What are USPS non-machinable surcharges?<\/h2>\n\n\n

    Okay, we know how scary this sounds, but it\u2019s not as scary as you think! With USPS, mail and packages are mostly sorted through machines. If you have a package or piece of mail that isn\u2019t a traditional size or shape, has a hard to read to address, or other things to make it hard for a machine to sort, you may get non-machinable surcharges<\/a>. When this happens someone with USPS has to physically sort your package or mail through the system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can find more info about non-machinable surcharges in our blog: How to Calculate the Postage of Greeting Cards<\/a>.<\/h6>\n\n\n

    What are UPS Additional Handling charges?<\/h2>\n\n\n

    Note: These charges also apply to UPS One Balance users. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Similar to USPS non-machinable surcharges, UPS Additional Handling charges are extra fees applied to your shipping cost for shipments that need different handling. Some of these include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n