223 Prices and Eligibility
Overview
1.0 Prices and Fees
2.0 Content Standards for Priority Mail
3.0 Basic Eligibility Standards for Priority Mail
The following price applications apply:
- Except Commercial Plus items weighing up to 0.5 pound (see 1.1c) and Commercial Plus cubic items (see 1.1d), Priority Mail mailpieces are charged per pound; any fraction of a pound is rounded up to the next whole pound. For example, if a piece weighs .08 pound, the weight (postage) increment is 1 pound.
- Flat Rate prices are not based on weight and zone but are charged a flat rate regardless of actual weight (up to 70 pounds) of the mailpiece and domestic destination.
- The minimum postage amount per addressed piece is the 1-pound price except Commercial Plus items weighing up to 0.5 pound. Charge the 0.5-pound price for Commercial Plus items up to 0.5 pound. Items over 0.5 pound are rounded up to the next whole pound. For example, if a Commercial Plus piece weighs 0.10 pound, the weight (postage) increment is 0.5 pound; if a piece weighs 0.75 pound, the weight (postage) increment is 1 pound.
- Commercial Plus cubic prices are not based on weight, but are charged by zone and cubic measurement of the mailpiece with any fraction of a measurement rounded down to the nearest 1/4 inch. For example, if a dimension of a Commercial Plus cubic piece measures 12-3/8 inches, it is rounded down to 12-1/4 inches.
- Regional Rate Box prices are not based on weight but are priced based on box size and the zone to which it is sent.
- Priority Mail Open and Distribute tray boxes mailed at Commercial Plus prices are not based on weight but are charged based on the tray box and zone to which it is sent.
- Priority Mail items mailed under a specific customer agreement are charged according to the individual agreement.
For prices, see Notice 123—Price List. The Commercial Base prices are available for:
- Click-N-Ship customers mailing Regional Rate Boxes.
- Registered end-users of USPS-approved PC Postage products when using a qualifying shipping label managed by the PC Postage system used.
- Customers using permit imprint.
- Priority Mail Open and Distribute customers using permit imprint with a qualifying address label under 705.18.5.7. Priority Mail Open and Distribute is not available for customers using Regional Rate Boxes.
- Permit holders using USPS Returns service for packages returned at Priority Mail prices when all requirements are met under 505.3.0.
- Customers using USPS-approved IBI postage meters that print the IBI with the appropriate price marking (see 202.3.3) and electronically transmit transactional data to the USPS.
For prices, see Notice 123—Price List. Commercial Plus prices are available to Priority Mail customers who qualify for Commercial Base prices and whose cumulative account volume exceeds a combined total of 5,000 letter-size and flat-size pieces (including Flat Rate Envelopes, but not the Padded Flat Rate Envelope) or 50,000 total pieces in the previous calendar year (except Priority Mail Open and Distribute) and who have a customer commitment agreement with USPS (New Priority Mail customers see 1.3.2), and are:
- Registered end-users of USPS-approved PC Postage products.
- Permit imprint customers.
- Priority Mail Open and Distribute (PMOD) customers whose account volume exceeds 600 PMOD containers (see 705.18.5.1).
- Permit holders using USPS Returns service for packages returned at Priority Mail prices when all requirements are met under 505.3.0.
- Customers using USPS-approved IBI postage meters that print the IBI with the appropriate price marking for commercial price items (202.3.3) and electronically transmit transactional data daily to USPS for all mailpieces and mail categories.
Commercial Plus prices are available for new Priority Mail customers who have a customer commitment agreement with the USPS. Shippers must contact their account manager or the manager, Shipping Support, Shipping Services (see 608.8.0 for address) for additional information.
Commercial Plus cubic prices are generally available to Priority Mail customers whose account volumes exceeded 50,000 pieces in the previous calendar year and have a customer commitment agreement with the USPS. New Priority Mail customers see 1.4.5. Each mailpiece must measure .50 cubic foot or less, weigh 20 pounds or less, and the longest dimension may not exceed 18 inches. Cubic-priced mailpieces may not be rolls or tubes. The Commercial Plus cubic prices are available for:
- Registered end-users of USPS-approved PC Postage products.
- Permit imprint customers. Customers are required to use the Electronic Verification System (eVS) program or submit an electronic postage statement with a computerized manifest under 705.2.0. Mailings must contain at least 200 pieces or 50 pounds of mail. Mailpieces are not required to be identical in weight.
- Permit holders using USPS Returns service for packages returned at Priority Mail prices when all requirements are met under 505.3.0.
Cubic prices consist of the following five tiers:
- Tier 1 - mailpieces measuring up to .10 cubic foot
- Tier 2 - mailpieces measuring more than .10 up to .20 cubic foot
- Tier 3 - mailpieces measuring more than .20 up to .30 cubic foot
- Tier 4 - mailpieces measuring more than .30 up to .40 cubic foot
- Tier 5 - mailpieces measuring more than .40 up to .50 cubic foot
Follow these steps to determine the cubic tier measurement for rectangular and nonrectangular parcels:
- Measure the length, width, and height at each dimension’s maximum point, in inches. Round down (see 604.7.0) each measurement to the nearest 1/4 inch. For example, 6-1/8" x 5-7/8" x 6-3/8" is rounded down to 6" x 5-3/4" x 6-1/4".
- Multiply the length by the width by the height and divide by 1728. For example: 6" x 5-3/4" x 6-1/4" = 215.6 divided by 1728 = 0.125 (This piece exceeds 0.10 - Tier 1 threshold). It is calculated at Tier 2 - 0.101 to 0.20.
Cubic tier measurements for soft pack (poly, plastic, cloth, or similar soft packaging) and padded envelopes are based on the outside dimensions of length plus width, in inches, of the original packaging material. Mailpieces that are pleated (e.g., expandable) must follow the measurement guidelines in 1.4.3 to be eligible for cubic pricing. Determine cubic tier measurements as follows:
- Measure the length and width separately in inches.
- Round down (see 604.7.0) each measurement to the nearest 1/4 inch. For example, 10-1/8 inches is rounded down to 10 inches.
- Add the two measurements together. The maximum total of length plus width cannot exceed 36 inches. See Exhibit 1.4.4 for corresponding price tiers.
Exhibit 1.4.4 Commercial Plus Pricing Tiers for Soft Pack & Padded envelopes
Commercial Plus cubic prices are available for new Priority Mail customers who have a customer commitment agreement with the USPS. Shippers must contact their account manager or the manager, Sales and Communication, Expedited Shipping (see 608.8.0 for address) for additional information.
Postage for parcels addressed for delivery to Zones 1-9 and exceeding 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches) is based on the actual weight or the dimensional weight (as calculated in 1.5.1 or 1.5.2), whichever is greater.
Follow these steps to determine the dimensional weight for a rectangular parcel:
- Measure the length, width, and height in inches. Round off (see 604.7.0) each measurement to the nearest whole inch.
- Multiply the length by the width by the height.
- If the result exceeds 1,728 cubic inches, divide the result by 166 and round up (see 604.7.0) to the next whole number to determine the dimensional weight in pounds.
- If the dimensional weight exceeds 70 pounds, the customer pays the 70-pound price.
Follow these steps to determine the dimensional weight for a nonrectangular parcel:
- Measure the length, width, and height in inches at their extreme dimensions. Round off (see 604.7.0) each measurement to the nearest whole inch.
- Multiply the length by the width by the height.
- Multiply the result by an adjustment factor of 0.785.
- If the final result exceeds 1,728 cubic inches, divide the result by 166 and round up (see 604.7.0) to the next whole number to determine the dimensional weight in pounds.
- If the dimensional weight exceeds 70 pounds, the customer pays the 70-pound price.
[1-9-22]
Shipping Services file manifests or other approved electronic documentation must include the accurate dimensions (length, width, height) of all pieces that exceed 1 cubic foot. Mailers of pieces exceeding 1 cubic foot and with Shipping Services file manifests, or other approved electronic documentation, that do not meet the requirement to include the piece’s accurate dimensions will be assessed a dimension-noncompliance fee under 1.13.
Only USPS-produced Flat Rate Envelopes or Flat Rate Boxes are eligible for the Flat Rate price and are charged a flat rate, regardless of the actual weight (up to 70 pounds) of the mailpiece or domestic destination. Customers must only use USPS-produced Flat Rate containers at the applicable Flat Rate price. USPS-produced packaging, including Flat Rate containers, is not eligible for shipping live animals.
There are two types of USPS-produced Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelopes: A paperboard envelope and a padded envelope. All USPS-produced Priority Mail envelopes smaller than the EP14F/W envelopes (12.5 inches by 9.5 inches) are eligible for the Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope price whether or not they are marked “Flat Rate Envelope.” Each type of USPS-produced Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope is priced at a flat rate regardless of the actual weight (up to 70 pounds) of the mailpiece or domestic destination.
Only USPS-produced Flat Rate Boxes are eligible for the Flat Rate Box prices. Each USPS-produced Priority Mail Flat Rate Box is charged a flat rate regardless of the actual weight (up to 70 pounds) of the mailpiece or domestic destination. See Notice 123—Price List for applicable prices. Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes are as follows:
- Small Flat Rate Box to domestic, APO/FPO, and DPO destinations.
- Medium Flat Rate Boxes (FRB-1) or (FRB-2) to domestic, APO/FPO, and DPO destinations.
- Board Game Large Flat Rate Box or Large Flat Rate Box to domestic destinations.
- Board Game Large Flat Rate Box or Large Flat Rate Box and “special version of this box” identified with the additional logo: “Americasupportsyou.mil.” to APO/FPO and DPO destinations is priced less than the conventional domestic Large Flat Rate Boxes. If the special version of the APO/FPO Flat Rate Box is used for non-APO/FPO and DPO destination addresses, the domestic or international Large Flat Rate Box prices will apply.
Regional Rate Box prices are available to Priority Mail Commercial Base and Commercial Plus customers who use one of the USPS-produced Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes and meet the requirements in 1.2 or 1.3. Prices are based on box size and zone. When sealing a Regional Rate Box, the container flaps must be able to close within the normal folds. Regional Rate Boxes that exceed the maximum weight limit as specified below, or the container flaps do not close within the normal folds will be assessed the applicable Priority Mail single-piece prices. Regional Rate Box options are:
- Box A: (Side loading or top loading box) has a maximum weight limit of 15 pounds.
- Box B: (Side loading or top loading box) has a maximum weight limit of 20 pounds.
Priority Mail is eligible for Hold For Pickup service under 507.3.0.
To determine single-piece weight in any mailing of nonidentical-weight pieces, weigh each piece individually. To determine single-piece weight in a mailing of identical-weight pieces, weigh a sample group of at least 10 randomly selected pieces and divide the total sample weight by the number of pieces in the sample. Except for mailers using eVS, express all single-piece weights in decimal pounds rounded off to two decimal places. Mailers using eVS may round off to four decimals, and eVS will automatically round to the appropriate decimal place. If a customer is using a manifest mailing system, the manifest weight field must be properly completed by adhering to the rules relative to the specific manifest.
Determine weight increment for each piece and pay postage under 224.1.0. For permit imprint mailings, multiply the number of addressed pieces at each weight increment by the corresponding postage price.
Eligible eVS Priority Mail pieces omitted from the eVS manifest are subject to the eVS unmanifested piece fee (see Notice 123—Price List ), unless the piece is subject to the IMpb noncompliance fee specified in 3.2.
[1-9-22]
The following provisions apply:
- Except for Flat Rate and Regional Rate packaging, a Priority Mail piece is subject to a nonstandard fee (see Notice 123—Price List) if it measures:
- More than 22 inches up to 30 inches long;
- More that measures more than 30 inches in long; or
- More than 2 cubic feet (3,456 cubic inches).
- Cube dimensions are determined based on the following:
- Rectangular pieces: Determined by measuring the length, width, and height in inches, rounding off (see 604.7.0) each measurement to the nearest whole inch, and multiplying the length by the width by the height.
- Nonrectangular pieces: Calculated the same as above and the result multiplied by an adjustment factor of 0.785.
- If either calculation above exceeds 3,456 cubic inches, the piece is subject to the nonstandard fee.
- A piece may be subject to both a length and a cube nonstandard fee.
- Shipping Services file manifests or other approved electronic documentation must include the accurate dimensions (length, width, height) of all pieces that exceed 22 inches.
- Mailers of pieces that exceed 22 inches and with Shipping Services file manifests, or other approved electronic documentation, that do not meet the requirement to include accurate dimensions will be assessed a dimension-noncompliance fee under 1.13.
[1-9-22]
Mailers of Priority Mail mailpieces required to include the mailpiece dimensions (length, width, height) in the Shipping Services file manifest or other approved electronic documentation under 1.5.3 or 1.12 will be charged a dimension-noncompliance fee (see Notice 123—Price List) if the piece’s dimensions are omitted or inaccurate in the Shipping Services file manifest or other approved documentation. A mailpiece is subject to only one dimension-noncompliance fee.
All mailable matter may be sent as Priority Mail, except matter prohibited by standards (e.g., certain hazardous materials).
Unless Priority Mail Express is used, Priority Mail prices are required for a mailpiece that weighs more than 13 ounces when the mailpiece contains matter that must be mailed as First-Class Mail (see 233.3.0).
Priority Mail is an expedited service and may contain any mailable matter weighing no more than 70 pounds. Lower weight limits apply to Commercial Plus cubic (see 1.4); Regional Rate Boxes (see 1.8); APO/FPO mail subject to 703.2.0 and 703.4.0 and Department of State mail subject to 703.3.0.
Unless authorized to use a unique IMb on Priority Mail letters and flats prepared in high-speed environments, all Priority Mail pieces must bear an Intelligent Mail package barcode prepared under 204.2.0. To obtain information on how to acquire an authorization to use an IMb on Priority Mail letters and flats, mailers can contact USPS Shipping Information Systems at IMPB@usps.gov. Unless otherwise excepted, mailpieces not meeting the requirements for use of unique Intelligent Mail package barcodes or extra services barcodes, as outlined in section 204.2.1.8 and Publication 199: Intelligent Mail Package Barcode (IMpb) Implementation Guide for: Confirmation Services and Electronic Verification System (eVS) Mailers, will be assessed an IMpb noncompliance fee. Detailed specifications are available on PostalPro at https://postalpro.usps.com.
Service objectives for delivery are 1 to 3 days. However, USPS does not guarantee the delivery time.
Priority Mail matter is closed against postal inspection.
