Physical Standards (101.7.0)
Maximum weight: 70 pounds.
Maximum length and girth: 130 inches.
Prices and Fees (153.1.0)
For a complete list of prices, see Notice 123–Price List.
Except for items mailed under USPS Retail Ground — Limited Overland Routes retail prices (153.1.3), USPS Retail Ground prices are available for eligible mailable items sent to Zones 1 through 9.
USPS Retail Ground is charged per pound or fraction thereof; any fraction of a pound is considered a whole pound.
Dimensional Weight Price: Except for USPS Retail Ground – Limited Overland Routes parcels, postage for parcels addressed for delivery to zones 1 through 9 and exceeding 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches) is based on the actual weight or the dimensional weight, whichever is greater.
Oversized price: pieces exceeding 108 inches but not more than 130 inches in combined length and girth are mailable at the oversized price for the zone to which addressed, regardless of weight.
Balloon price: USPS Retail Ground – Limited Overland Routes parcels that weigh less than 20 pounds but measuring more than 84 inches (but not exceeding 108 inches) in combined length and girth are charged the 20-pound price for the zone to which addressed.
Nonstandard Fees: A USPS Retail Ground or USPS Retail Ground — Limited Overland Routes piece is subject to a nonstandard fee if it measures:
- More than 22 inches up to 30 inches long;
- More than 30 inches long; or
- More than 2 cubic feet (3,456 cubic inches).
Content (153.3.0)
USPS Retail Ground is mailable matter that is neither mailed or required to be mailed as First-Class Mail nor entered as Periodicals (except as permitted or required by standard).
Generally used for shipping merchandise.
Eligibility Standards (153.2.0)
Each piece must include a complete delivery and return address.
Mailing items with no ancillary service endorsement obligates the mailer to pay any applicable forwarding and return postage charges at the single-piece price (507.1.5.4).
Postage Payment (154)
Stamps (604.1.0) or Meter (604.4.0). Pieces with postage affixed must bear the correct postage. Precancelled stamps and permit imprint not permitted.
Mail Preparation (155)
Marking: Pieces must be marked “USPS Retail Ground” in the postage area (155.1.3).
There are no presort, sacking, or labeling standards for USPS Retail Ground with the correct postage affixed.
Enter and Deposit(156)
USPS Retail Ground is primarily intended to be presented at a USPS retail service counter where USPS Tracking service can be initiated. USPS Retail Ground items weighing more than 10 ounces, or measuring more than 1/2-inch in thickness, bearing only postage stamps as payment must be presented to an employee at a retail service counter in a Postal Service facility.
Extra Services (503)
May use USPS Tracking, insurance, and Signature Confirmation. Return receipt and restricted delivery are available for COD mail or mail insured for more than $200.00.
Determining USPS Retail Ground Dimensional Weight |
USPS Retail Ground dimensional weight for rectangular shaped parcels to zones 1–9. - Measure the length, width, and height in inches. Round off 1 each measurement to the nearest whole inch:
(length = 21, height = 20, and width = 20). - Multiply length x height x width: (21 x 20 x 20) = 8,400 cubic inches.
- If the result exceeds 1,728 cubic inches, divide the result by 166 and round up2 to the next whole number to determine dimensional weight in pounds:(8,400/166 = 50.60) 50.60 rounded up to the next pound is 51.
- The price is based on the actual weight or dimensional weight, whichever is greater.
In this example the dimensional weight for this rectangular package to zones 1–9 is 51 pounds. |
USPS Retail Ground dimensional weight for nonrectangular shaped parcels to zones 1–9. - Measure the length, width, and height in inches at their extreme dimensions. Round off1 each measurement to the nearest whole inch: (length = 30, height = 9, and width = 18).
 - Multiply length x height x width: (30 x 9 x 18) = 4,860 cubic inches.
- Multiply the result by an adjustment factor of 0.785: 4,860 x 0.785 = 3,815.1 cubic inches.
- If the final result exceeds 1,728 cubic inches, divide the result by 166 and round up2 to the next whole number to determine the dimensional weight in pounds: (3,815.1/166 = 22.98) 22.98 rounded up to the next pound is 23.
- The price is based on the actual weight or dimensional weight, whichever is greater.
- If the dimensional weight exceeds 70 pounds, the package pays the 70 pound price.
In this example the dimensional weight for this nonrectangular package to zones 1–9 is 23 pounds. |
Additional examples of nonrectangular measurement. 
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1. Round off (e.g., 20.5 rounded off to the next whole number is 21, and 20.4 rounded off is 20), see 604.7.1.3.
2. Round up (e.g., rounding up either 44.2 or 44.8 to the next whole pound is 45).
