Overview
Measuring Length Plus Girth (201.7.0)
For parcels, length is the measurement of the longest dimension and girth is the distance around the thickest part (perpendicular to the length).
Except for Parcel Select, no commercial priced mailpiece may measure more than 108 inches in length and girth combined. Parcel Select pieces measuring over 108 inches but not more than 130 inches in combined length and girth are mailable at the applicable oversized price (253.1.0).
The Postal Service classifies parcels as machinable parcels, irregular parcels, or nonmachinable parcels.
Machinable Parcels (201.7.5)
If you prepare your parcels so that they can be processed on Postal Service equipment, your mail is “machinable.” Machinable parcels must meet specific standards for size, shape, content, and weight.
Minimum weight: 6 ounces (3.5 ounces for parcels prepared under 201.7.5.2).
Maximum weight: 25 pounds (35 pounds for Parcel Select and Parcel Return Service parcels that do not contain books and other printed matter). Lower weight limits apply to First-Class Package Service — Commercial, USPS Marketing Mail, and Bound Printed Matter.
Dimensions:
Soft goods wrapped in paper or plastic bags and printed matter are machinable only if all packaging standards in 601 are met.
Irregular Parcels (201.7.6)
Irregular parcels include parcels that do not meet the dimensional criteria of machinable parcels and other parcels that cannot be processed by parcel sorters, including:
Nonmachinable Parcels (201.7.7)
Nonmachinable parcels exceed any of the maximum dimensions for machinable parcels. This category also includes certain high-density items, cartons containing more than 24 ounces of liquids in one or more glass containers, cartons containing 1 gallon or more of liquid in metal or plastic containers, and items in 201.7.7.
First-Class Package Service — Commercial (201.8.3)
Maximum weight: less than 16 ounces.
Maximum dimensions: 22 inches in length, 18 inches in width, and 15 inches in thickness.
A surcharge applies for parcels with the following characteristics:
See Quick Service Guide 280, First-Class Package Service — Commercial parcels
Bound Printed Matter (201.8.6)
Maximum weight: 15 pounds.
For additional information, see Quick Service Guide 260b, Bound Printed Matter Nonmachinable and Machinable Parcels.
Media Mail
Maximum weight: 70 pounds.
For machinable parcels, see Quick Service Guide 270b.
For preparation of irregular parcels, see 275.6.3.
Library Mail
Maximum weight: 70 pounds.
Barcode discount: available for machinable parcels (50-piece minimum), mailed at Basic prices.
For prices, eligibility, postage payment, and mail preparation, see Quick Service Guide 270b.
USPS Marketing Mail Parcels (201.8.4)
Maximum weight: less than 16 ounces.
Except for USPS Marketing Mail Marketing parcels mailed as product samples, parcels using detached address labels (DAL), parcels bearing simplified addresses, or parcels prepared under the exception in 3.4.2, all USPS Marketing Mail parcels, must bear the correct Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb). Parcels not meeting the requirements for use of Intelligent Mail package barcodes will be assessed a nonbarcoded fee.
See Quick Service Guides:
240h USPS Marketing Mail Machinable Parcels
240i USPS Marketing Mail Irregular Parcels
240j USPS Marketing Mail Carrier Route Irregular Parcels
Parcel Select (201.8.5)
Parcel Select Destination Entry packages are priced as machinable or nonmachinable. Nonmachinable parcels are subject to the applicable nonmachinable surcharge. There is no Parcel Select nonmachinable surcharge for Parcel Select Ground.
Oversized Price: pieces measuring more than 108 inches in combined length and girth, but not more than 130 inches in combined length and girth, are mailable at the applicable Parcel Select oversized price.
Nonmachinable Parcel Select Destination Entry: Pieces that meet any of the following criteria must pay nonmachinable prices.
- A parcel more than 27 inches long, 17 inches wide, or 17 inches high.
- A parcel less than 6 inches long, 1/4 inch thick, or 3 inches high.
- A parcel that weighs less than 6 ounces (except under 201.7.5.2) or more than 35 pounds.
- A parcel containing more than 24 ounces of liquid in glass containers, or 1 gallon or more of liquid in metal or plastic containers.
- An insecurely wrapped or metal-banded parcel.
- A can, roll, or tube, or wooden or metal box.
- Books, printed matter, or business forms weighing more than 25 pounds.
- A high-density parcel weighing more than 15 pounds and exerting more than 60 pounds per-square-foot pressure on its smallest side.
- A film case weighing more than 5 pounds or with strap-type closures, except any film case the USPS authorizes to be entered as a machinable parcel under 201.7.5 and to be identified by the words “Machinable in United States Postal Service Equipment” permanently attached as a nontransferable decal in the lower right corner of the case.
- Parcels with characteristics (such as inadequate packaging) that could result in damage to the contents of the mailpiece, other parcels, or postal machinery if mechanical sortation is used.
Examples of Dimensional Weight, Nonmachinable, and Oversized Price |
Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and Parcel Select Destination Entry and Ground Dimensional Weight for Rectangular Shaped Parcels. For dimensional weight for nonrectangular shaped parcels, see 213.1.5.2, 223.1.5.2, or 253.1.3.2. | | Dimensional Weight: Yes In this example the dimensional weight for a package is 51 pounds. - Round off each measurement to the nearest whole number (length = 21, height = 20, and width = 20).
- Multiply length by height and then this total by width (21 x 20 x 20) = 8,400 cubic inches
- If more than 1,728 cubic inches, divide the result by 166 and round up to the next whole number to determine dimensional weight (8,400/166 = 50.60). Dimensional weight = 51 pounds.
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Parcel Select Destination Entry Nonmachinable Prices If: |
Parcel Select Destination Entry and Ground Oversized Price If: | | Oversized Price: Yes In this example, length and girth is 130 inches. |