Dimensional Rate Change in Effect

Okay, so despite the helpful graphic above, I'm still a bit perplexed by the new rate change for packages. What is Dimensional Weight anyways? (L x W x H)/166 = Dimensional weight which is easy, right? (No.) If the calculated Dimensional Weight is higher than the physical weight of a package, you are required to pay the higher of the two.

Basically, it boils down to big boxes cost more even if they weigh less, which makes sense, but is also a big (pun intended) bummer. Oh, you didn't know there was a new rate for packages? Well, it's not like they exactly shout these things from the rooftops. And PDFs of rates, while full of information, aren't exactly helpful. This means that you'll be seeing a lot more smaller boxes sent with a lot less packing material. When you think about it, this does have the potential for good. It'll mean less waste, smaller boxes, and less packing materials used. It will also mean a big change in price. Here's the example that Shopify emailed me:

Example shipment:

Priority Mail 5 lb box measuring 15 x 15 x 15 in. from New York to Washington DC (Zone 3)

	New	Previous
DIM weight	21 lbs	Did not apply
Cost	$19.27	$8.25

There is a big difference between those prices. I'm posting about it here because I don't want you to be mailing a cookie jar to your grandma and think "I'll put this in a big ol' box with lots of packing peanuts for safety" and then get to the Post Office and they say, "That'll be elventyjillion dollars." "It only weighs 3 pounds!" "But the DIM weight is elventyjillion." Pitney Bowes is pretty good at explaining it. They have the graphic I used above. Unfortunately, they haven't updated the rest of their helpful site tips yet with the new rate info. 

Don't know your zone? Here's a calculator. Put in the first three digits of your ZIP and they'll give you the zone calculation for the ZIP you're mailing. Ok, now you at least know to be on the lookout for the difference in price. When in doubt, use a smaller box. That's my advice.

Comments

[Cynthia]

Just in time! I was going to buy stock in box manufacturing companies, but not now! It is ridiculous how large the boxes are for small items. Good move, I think.

[Kevin]

Had not heard about this--thanks for the info!

[Kristy]

It will probably mean more broken things through the mail too :(

[Alan B]

Cubic inches divided by 166 = pounds? This seems like the postal equivalent of 'confusion marketing'. I pity US postal users.