USPS rate change June 23, 2019

Beginning June 23rd, 2019 the USPS will enact rate changes that will affect Dimensional Weight Pricing for Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express and Parcel Select Ground. To ensure a smooth transition for your business be sure to review the upcoming changes listed below.

What Is Dimensional Weight?

Dimensional weight reflects package density, which is the amount of space a package occupies on a delivery truck in relation to its actual weight. Space is important for shipping carriers since they want to keep costs low by filling their delivery trucks with as many packages as possible.

Dimensional Weight can be calculated using the formula:

DIM Weight = (length x width x height)/DIM Divisor

Change #1: DIM Divisor Will Decrease

The DIM divisor will decrease from 194 to 166; this means packages greater than one cubic foot will have a higher billable weight. To illustrate this point, let’s look at a sample package with the dimensions 16” x 14” x 12” going to Zone 4 via Priority Mail:

Old DIM Divisor

Using the Dimensional Weight formula we can determine the package’s billable weight under the old Dim Divisor.

(16” x 14” x 12”)/194

(2688 cubic inches)/194 = 13.85 lbs.

The USPS Priority Mail Rate for this package would be $17.57

New DIM Divisor

Using the same formula, but with the new divisor, we see that billable weight is now higher.

(16” x 14” x 12”)/166

(2688 cubic inches)/166 = 16.19 lbs.

The USPS Priority Mail Rate for this package would be $20.35 ($2.78 increase)

Change #2: DIM Weight Pricing will be applied to New Zones

Currently, DIM Weight Pricing is only applied to zones 5-9 within select mail classes. Beginning June 23rd, 2019 the USPS will expand the list of zones in which DIM Weight Pricing is applied.

  • Priority Mail: DIM Weight Pricing will be expanded to include zones 1-4 for packages over 1 cubic foot. Currently, DIM Weight Pricing only applies to zones 5-9 for packages over 1 cubic foot*.
  • Priority Mail Express: DIM Weight Pricing will be applied to packages over 1 cubic foot for zones 1-9. Currently, DIM Weight Pricing is not applied to Priority Mail Express.
  • Parcel Select Ground: DIM Weight Pricing will be applied to packages over 1 cubic foot for zones 1-9. Currently, DIM Weight Pricing is not applied to Parcel Select Ground*.

*Prior to January 27, 2019, balloon pricing was used for Priority Mail (zones 1-4) and Parcel Select Ground (zones 1-9) packages under 20 lbs. if the combined length and girth measured more than 84 inches but 108 inches or less.

Stamps.com Makes Dimensional Weight Pricing Easy

Stamps.com software includes everything customers need to calculate current postage rates. For mail classes with Dimensional Weight Pricing all you need to do is weigh your mail piece, enter your package’s dimensions, enter your destination and Stamps.com will automatically calculate the required postage.

Recommended for you
What Are Demand Surcharges and How Do They Affect My Mailing & Shipping Costs?

What Are Demand Surcharges and How Do They Affect My Mailing & Shipping Costs?

Have you noticed that your mailing and shipping costs change even when you’re sending the same package to the same place? One key reason for these fluctuations is something called demand surcharges. What are demand surcharges? Demand surcharges are extra fees that shipping carriers add during busy times when demand for shipping is high. These […]

How Carriers Like FedEx, UPS, & USPS Are Turning to Dynamic Pricing

How Carriers Like FedEx, UPS, & USPS Are Turning to Dynamic Pricing

Historically, postage rates have been fixed. However, a significant shift is underway this year, as more carriers are adopting dynamic pricing models. This means that rates are no longer fixed but are adjusted in real-time based on various factors. These changes can make mailing and shipping difficult for businesses to keep up with and navigate. […]

2024 USPS Rate and Service Changes

2024 USPS Rate and Service Changes

Last updated September 10, 2024 At least once a year – and sometimes multiple times a year –  the United States Postal Service (USPS®) changes postage rates. At Stamps.com, we value transparency and strive to keep you updated on rate changes that can have an impact on your mailing and shipping expenses.  This blog will […]