280 Commercial Mail USPS Ground Advantage — Commercial
Overview
1.0 Prices and Fees
2.0 Content Standards for USPS Ground Advantage — Commercial Parcels
3.0 Basic Eligibility Standards for USPS Ground Advantage — Commercial
4.0 Price Eligibility for USPS Ground Advantage — Commercial
Except under items 1.1c and 1.1d, postage is based on the price (see Notice 123—Price List) that applies to the weight and zone of each addressed piece as follows:
- The price is charged at the 4-ounce, 8-ounce, 12-ounce, and 15.999-ounce increments. Any fraction of an ounce over the 4-ounce, 8-ounce, 12-ounce and 15.999-ounce increments is rounded to the next price increment. For example, if an item weighs 4.1 ounces, the next weight (price) increment is 8 ounces. If an item weighs 12.1 ounces, the next weight (price) increment is 15.999 pound.
- Per pound from 1 pound through 70 pounds. Any fraction of a pound is considered a whole pound. For example, if an item weighs 1.25 pounds, the weight (postage) increment is 2 pounds.
- The oversized price is based on the zone and applies to pieces that measure more than 108 inches but not more than 130 inches in combined length and girth.
- Cubic prices are based on the zone and cubic measurement (Tier) of the mailpiece with any fraction of a measurement rounded down to the nearest 1/4 inch. For example, if a dimension of a cubic piece measures 12-3/8 inches, it is rounded down to 12-1/4 inches.
Commercial prices are available when paid by one of the following methods:
- Registered end-users of USPS-approved PC Postage products when using a qualifying shipping label, managed by the PC Postage system.
- USPS-approved IBI postage meters that electronically transmit transactional data to USPS.
- Permit imprint.
- USPS Returns service used by permit holders for USPS Ground Advantage — Commercial packages when all requirements are met under 505.3.0.
Cubic prices are available to eligible USPS Ground Advantage — Commercial customers, including USPS Ground Advantage Return service customers, under 505.3.0. Each cubic mailpiece, including soft packs and padded envelopes under 1.3.4, must measure 1 cubic foot or less, weigh 20 pounds or less, and the longest dimension must not exceed 18 inches. Cubic-priced mailpieces must not be rolls or tubes.
Cubic prices consist of the following 10 tiers:
Follow these steps to determine the cubic tier measurement for rectangular and nonrectangular parcels:
- Measure in inches the length, width, and height at each dimension’s maximum point. 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 1,728. Example: 6" x 5-3/4" x 6-1/4" = 215.6 divided by 1,728 = 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, in inches, on the outside dimensions of length plus width of the original packaging material. Pleated (e.g., expandable) mailpieces must meet the measurement guidelines in 1.3.3 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 must not exceed 36 inches. See Exhibit 1.3.4 for corresponding price tiers.
Exhibit 1.3.4 Cubic-Pricing Tiers for Soft Pack and Padded Envelopes
1.4 [7-14-24] Dimensional Weight Price for Low-Density Parcels
Postage for USPS Ground Advantage – Commercial 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 1.4.2 or 1.4.3), 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.
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 1.8.
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, when determining single-piece weight for USPS Ground Advantage mailpieces, express all 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.
For each piece, affix correct postage for the weight (including any surcharges) and, if applicable, the zone to which the piece is addressed, as shown in 1.2 through 1.4. To calculate the total postage for the mailing, add all of the affixed postage amounts for each piece.
To compute the total postage for a mailing, for each weight increment, multiply the number of pieces by the applicable price per piece. Round each product off to four decimal places. Add the products and round up the total postage to the nearest whole cent.
[1-21-24] Eligible USPS Ground Advantage — Commercial pieces omitted from the manifest are subject to the unmanifested fee (see Notice 123–Price List), unless the piece is subject to the IMpb noncompliance fee specified in 3.4.
A USPS Ground Advantage — Commercial mailpiece is subject to a nonstandard fee (see Notice 123–Price List) as follows:
- A piece measures more than 22 inches up to 30 inches long.
- A piece measures more than 30 inches long.
- A piece measures more than 2 cubic feet (3,456 cubic inches). Dimensions for rectangular pieces are 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. Dimensions for nonrectangular pieces are calculated as above and the result multiplied by an adjustment factor of 0.785. If either calculation exceeds 3,456 cubic inches, the piece is subject to the nonstandard fee.
- A piece may be subject to both a length (1.7a, 1.7b) and a cube (1.7c) 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 exceeding 22 inches 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 1.8.
Mailers of USPS Ground Advantage — Commercial mailpieces required to include the mailpiece’s dimensions (length, width, height) in the Shipping Services file manifest or other approved electronic documentation under 1.4.3 or 1.7 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 electronic documentation. A mailpiece is subject to only one dimension-noncompliance fee.
In addition to restricted material described in 601.8.0, parcels mailed at USPS Ground Advantage — Commercial prices must not contain documents or personal correspondence, except for invoices, receipts, incidental advertising, and other documents that relate in all substantial respects to merchandise contained in the parcels.
See 233.2.0 for a detailed description of matter required to be mailed as First-Class Mail or Priority Mail. The following types of contents must be mailed as First-Class Mail or -Priority Mail:
- Bills and statements of account.
- Personal information.
- Handwritten and typewritten material.
[4-1-24] USPS Ground Advantage — Commercial parcels receive expeditious handling and transportation. USPS does not guarantee delivery of USPS Ground Advantage — Commercial mailpieces within a specified time. Certain USPS Ground Advantage — Commercial mailpieces, such as pieces containing hazardous material or considered nonmachinable (e.g., oversized priced pieces and nonstandard fee-priced pieces), may receive deferred handling.
Articles mailed at USPS Ground Advantage — Commercial prices are not sealed against Postal Service inspection. Regardless of physical closure, mailing articles at USPS Ground Advantage — Commercial prices constitutes consent by the mailer to Postal Service inspection of the contents.
The postage price of USPS Ground Advantage – Commercial parcels includes forwarding service to a new address for up to 12 months and return of undeliverable parcels to the sender.
Extra services are available for USPS Ground Advantage — Commercial parcels under 503 and for Hold for Pickup service under 507.3.0.
All USPS Ground Advantage — Commercial parcels must:
- Meet the applicable postage payment standards in 284 and 604.7.0.
- Bear a delivery address that includes the correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4.
- Bear a return address.
[1-21-24] All USPS Ground Advantage — Commercial parcels (outbound and returns) must bear an Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb) prepared under 204.2.0. Unless otherwise excepted, mailers of 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 Payment Systems, will be assessed an IMpb noncompliance fee. For details see PostalPro at https://postalpro.usps.com.
Single-piece prices apply to nonpresorted parcels mailed under 285.1.0.
