Physical Standards (201.7.0)
Maximum weight: 70 pounds.
Cubic maximum weight — 20 pounds
Maximum length and girth: 108 inches.
Prices and Fees (223.1.0)
For a complete listing of commercial Priority Mail prices, see Notice 123–Price List.
Except for Flat Rate packaging, balloon, or dimensional weight, and cubic items, Priority Mail commercial prices are based on weight and zone. Mailpieces are charged per pound; any fraction of a pound is rounded up to the next whole pound, except for Priority Mail commercial plus items that weigh up to 1/2 pound are charged the 1/2-pound price.
Dimensional Weight Price: 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, whichever is greater. (See QSG 120 for examples on how to measure dimensional weight.)
Matter mailed in USPS-produced Priority Mail packaging is charged one flat price regardless how much the item weighs (up to 70 pounds) or domestic destination. Only USPS-produced Flat Rate packaging is eligible for Priority Mail Flat Rate pricing. For a complete list of Flat Rate packaging items, see the Flat Rate Quick Reference section of Notice 123–Price List. USPS-produced Flat Rate Envelopes must only be used by customers at the applicable Flat Rate Envelope price. USPS-produced packaging, including Flat Rate containers, is not eligible for shipping mailable hazardous materials or live animals.
eVS Unmanifested Fee: Eligible eVS Priority Mail pieces omitted from the eVS manifest are subject to the eVS Unmanifested fee (see Notice 123–Price List), unless the piece is subject to the IMpb noncompliance fee.
Nonstandard Fees: Except for Flat Rate packaging and Priority Mail Return service packages, a Priority Mail 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).
Dimension Noncompliance Fee: 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 223.1.4.4 or 223.1.11 will be charged a Dimension Noncompliance fee if the piece’s dimensions are omitted or inaccurate in the Shipping Service’s file manifest or other approved electronic documentation.
Content (223.2.0)
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 (233.2.0). All mailable matter may be sent as Priority Mail, except matter prohibited by standards (e.g., certain hazardous materials) (601.8).
Postage Payment and Documentation (224)
Commercial prices are available for postage paid through:
