illustration of box for shipping

Sometimes Bigger is Better and Other Times… it’s Just Not

Last Updated: August 10, 2023By Tags: ,

Sometimes Bigger is Better and Other Times… it’s Just Not

Updated 8/4/2023

First off, it will be helpful to familiarize yourself with these two terms in regard to shipping. Length is the measurement of the longest side, and girth is the distance around the thickest part (perpendicular to length). 

Use these guidelines to get your package ready right! Adhering to the rules will help keep your item from being returned to you and prevent extra charges.

USPS Guidelines

The package cannot be over 70 Ibs. 

Length + Girth cannot exceed 108 inches.

*With USPS, a package is considered heavy at 35 Ibs. If your package is “heavy,” a bright pink sticker will be placed on the box at the retail counter. If you send a lot of heavy packages, you can order the stickers online on the USPS.com website – https://store.usps.com/store/product/shipping-supplies/caution-heavy-id-sticker-label-035ch-P_Label_035CH

FedEx Guidelines 

FedEx Express®

The package cannot exceed 150 Ibs.

Length cannot exceed 119 inches, and length and girth combined cannot exceed 165 inches.

* With FedEx, a package is considered heavy when it weighs 75 Ibs. or more. If your box is considered “heavy” place the yellow and black heavy labels on the corners of the box. You can get these stickers online through your FedEx account, from a FedEx Express courier,  FedEx account executive, a FedEx Office® Print and Ship Center or FedEx Ship Center® (FedEx “General Packaging Guidelines” 2020).

UPS Guidelines

The package cannot exceed 150 Ibs.

Length cannot exceed 119 inches, and length and girth combined cannot exceed 165 inches.

Packages with a large size-to-weight ratio need specific pricing and dimensional weight calculations. 

* If your UPS package weighs over 70 Ibs. it is considered “heavy” and a bright yellow caution heavy sticker is necessary. See more here

Resource Links:

https://www.fedex.com/content/dam/fedex/us-united-states/services/GrlPkgGuidelines_fxcom.pdf

https://www.ups.com/assets/resources/webcontent/en_US/Packaging_Guidelines.pdf

https://www.usps.com/ship/shipping-restrictions.htm

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