I recently noticed that I was receiving quotes for USPS Cubic Pricing on my Amazon shipping screens. There are MANY instances where this rate is MUCH lower than even Regional Priority Rates for small heavy packages. Cubic Pricing is reserved for companies that ship 50,000 parcels a year so this is a GIFT from Amazon to help us out. Basically, you are paying a Tier Rate for the VOLUME of the package up to 1/2 cubic ft in 0.1 cu ft increments no matter. I ship WIRE and this is giving me an advantage that I previously did not have.
I have only been using this for a few days and after much investigating and local Post Office Complaints, I have discovered the following restrictions (some are 100% verifiable and some are not). Many local post offices have no clue what this rate even is!!
I would love to know what you have found out and your experiences.
Thanks!
I have found that when purchasing shipping through Amazon, after I enter the box size and weight, Amazon automatically determines (no need to measure) if the package is eligible for Cubic. I read somewhere that tubes, padded envelopes are not eligible for Cubic, I’m under the impression it is only for boxes.
In my opinion, Flat Rate boxes do not qualify for cubic because just like it says on those boxes, they are for Flat Rate. I see no reason why regular Priority Boxes can’t be used for Cubic. I would think the Priority box marked Box 4 would be eligible for Cubic but I haven’t tried to use it for Cubic.
The thing to be aware of is Cubic pricing is not always cheaper than Priority if your package is not that heavy.
Flat rate and Regional Rate boxes can only be used for those services.
AS for the other USPS priority mail boxes, they can be used and if you look at the bottom of them, it actually gives you the outside cubic dimensions. This will of course change if you create any bulges or if you cut them down to a smaller sizes…
Get a small PO box at the closer one, then change your ship-from address.
why are you going to the post office? ask postmaster to be put on a commercial pickup route.
The cubic rate doesn’t make much of a difference from regular mail. It’s a matter of cents, not dollars on some packages.
I have been using cubic rates for over 2 years, well over 200 boxes. I many times bring these to other zipcodes to ship and never once did the PO I brought them to question the zipcode difference or tell me they would not accept my packages. I
you are making this too complicated. Let us start with this misconception.
Cubic Pricing is reserved for companies that ship 50,000 parcels a year so this is a GIFT from Amazon to help us out.
Cubic pricing is for Commercial plus and above customers. The USPS is fairly good about letting you become commercial plus as long as you spend a significant amount on postage or use a postal printing service Amazon, Stamps.com, etc.
Many local post offices have no clue what this rate even is!!
True. And they are not required to know because if they have to handle it the rate does not apply. That includes just going to the window and handing them the package. If your PO has a drop off location you can put prelabeled packages in that area. Most offices do.
1. Do not use Regional Rate or Flat Rate boxes with this postage (not 100% verifiable).
This is a duh moment. First they are not Regional rate so they do not qualify to use the regional rate box and may be returned to sender or delivered with postage due. Neither is a good option. 2. I have never had a problem using the flat rate box for “cubic” pricing as long as its dimension fit the requirements.
2. I believe you can use the other Priority Mail boxes that are not branded REGIONAL or FLAT RATE. I need some backup on this one.
see above
3. Measure the package and round DOWN to nearest 1/4". After rounding down each measurement, multiply LxWxH and divide the total by 1728 to get cubic feet. And here is the gotcha in Amazon’s System, you may need to put in a custom box for each time you ship the package. For instance, my 12x12x6 boxes are roughly 1/2" cu ft. BUT, after packing them with enough packing to protect my product, I have found that the box measures 12.25x12x6 after rounding down. This is OVER the 0.5 cu ft limit for cubic pricing.
** This can get you in trouble.**
Too hard. Go to your postage vendor and enter the dimensions of the box. If you qualify for the rate it will automatically apply it. Or so I believe. Stamps.com does it so why wouldn’t Amazon or other vendors. Why do the maths when the program will do it for you.
4. Weight does not matter as long as the package is less than 20 lbs. I have taken advantage of this by using more packing material to better protect my products.
OK but your packaging should always be sufficient to protect the product. Shipping cost should not be more than a minor consideration and using more packaging than is necessary is bad for the environment and an additional cost.
5. BIG ONE… this package, according to USPS DMM, must be dropped off in the SAME ZIP CODE as YOUR SHIPPING address. See 604.4.63 of the USPS DMM. I have a real issue with this as the post office for my zip code is not the closest to me. I will be talking with local postal officials about this over the coming weeks. My local Post Office has HORRIBLE hours -> 9:00 am - 4:30pm which does not work for normal working folks. They are only open for 2 hours on Saturday! IT also does NOT have a package drop off container.
Just have the USPS pick up the package when they deliver, after all they are in the same zip when they take control of the package. Problem over. Why go to the PO if you don’t have to. Especially with the holidays coming up. Pick up is free if you do a lot of business with them or if the item is Priority or Express
Most of my items fit in their 7x7x6 Priority Boxes, and when I enter that dimension in Amazon it gives me the option for Cubic shipping. But if it’s not the cheaper method, it recommends another option. It has saved me some money on several of my packages. I also use ShipStation for my other platforms and even though it gives me the option in the drop down list for “cubic” - I get the error: “Stamps.com: Requested value ‘Cubic’ was not found.”
We’ve used this for a few of our PM orders and waiting to see if there’s any blowback. So far, so good.
I recently noticed that I was receiving quotes for USPS Cubic Pricing on my Amazon shipping screens. There are MANY instances where this rate is MUCH lower than even Regional Priority Rates for small heavy packages. Cubic Pricing is reserved for companies that ship 50,000 parcels a year so this is a GIFT from Amazon to help us out. Basically, you are paying a Tier Rate for the VOLUME of the package up to 1/2 cubic ft in 0.1 cu ft increments no matter. I ship WIRE and this is giving me an advantage that I previously did not have.
I have only been using this for a few days and after much investigating and local Post Office Complaints, I have discovered the following restrictions (some are 100% verifiable and some are not). Many local post offices have no clue what this rate even is!!
I would love to know what you have found out and your experiences.
Thanks!
I recently noticed that I was receiving quotes for USPS Cubic Pricing on my Amazon shipping screens. There are MANY instances where this rate is MUCH lower than even Regional Priority Rates for small heavy packages. Cubic Pricing is reserved for companies that ship 50,000 parcels a year so this is a GIFT from Amazon to help us out. Basically, you are paying a Tier Rate for the VOLUME of the package up to 1/2 cubic ft in 0.1 cu ft increments no matter. I ship WIRE and this is giving me an advantage that I previously did not have.
I have only been using this for a few days and after much investigating and local Post Office Complaints, I have discovered the following restrictions (some are 100% verifiable and some are not). Many local post offices have no clue what this rate even is!!
I would love to know what you have found out and your experiences.
Thanks!
I have found that when purchasing shipping through Amazon, after I enter the box size and weight, Amazon automatically determines (no need to measure) if the package is eligible for Cubic. I read somewhere that tubes, padded envelopes are not eligible for Cubic, I’m under the impression it is only for boxes.
In my opinion, Flat Rate boxes do not qualify for cubic because just like it says on those boxes, they are for Flat Rate. I see no reason why regular Priority Boxes can’t be used for Cubic. I would think the Priority box marked Box 4 would be eligible for Cubic but I haven’t tried to use it for Cubic.
The thing to be aware of is Cubic pricing is not always cheaper than Priority if your package is not that heavy.
Flat rate and Regional Rate boxes can only be used for those services.
AS for the other USPS priority mail boxes, they can be used and if you look at the bottom of them, it actually gives you the outside cubic dimensions. This will of course change if you create any bulges or if you cut them down to a smaller sizes…
Get a small PO box at the closer one, then change your ship-from address.
why are you going to the post office? ask postmaster to be put on a commercial pickup route.
The cubic rate doesn’t make much of a difference from regular mail. It’s a matter of cents, not dollars on some packages.
I have been using cubic rates for over 2 years, well over 200 boxes. I many times bring these to other zipcodes to ship and never once did the PO I brought them to question the zipcode difference or tell me they would not accept my packages. I
you are making this too complicated. Let us start with this misconception.
Cubic Pricing is reserved for companies that ship 50,000 parcels a year so this is a GIFT from Amazon to help us out.
Cubic pricing is for Commercial plus and above customers. The USPS is fairly good about letting you become commercial plus as long as you spend a significant amount on postage or use a postal printing service Amazon, Stamps.com, etc.
Many local post offices have no clue what this rate even is!!
True. And they are not required to know because if they have to handle it the rate does not apply. That includes just going to the window and handing them the package. If your PO has a drop off location you can put prelabeled packages in that area. Most offices do.
1. Do not use Regional Rate or Flat Rate boxes with this postage (not 100% verifiable).
This is a duh moment. First they are not Regional rate so they do not qualify to use the regional rate box and may be returned to sender or delivered with postage due. Neither is a good option. 2. I have never had a problem using the flat rate box for “cubic” pricing as long as its dimension fit the requirements.
2. I believe you can use the other Priority Mail boxes that are not branded REGIONAL or FLAT RATE. I need some backup on this one.
see above
3. Measure the package and round DOWN to nearest 1/4". After rounding down each measurement, multiply LxWxH and divide the total by 1728 to get cubic feet. And here is the gotcha in Amazon’s System, you may need to put in a custom box for each time you ship the package. For instance, my 12x12x6 boxes are roughly 1/2" cu ft. BUT, after packing them with enough packing to protect my product, I have found that the box measures 12.25x12x6 after rounding down. This is OVER the 0.5 cu ft limit for cubic pricing.
** This can get you in trouble.**
Too hard. Go to your postage vendor and enter the dimensions of the box. If you qualify for the rate it will automatically apply it. Or so I believe. Stamps.com does it so why wouldn’t Amazon or other vendors. Why do the maths when the program will do it for you.
4. Weight does not matter as long as the package is less than 20 lbs. I have taken advantage of this by using more packing material to better protect my products.
OK but your packaging should always be sufficient to protect the product. Shipping cost should not be more than a minor consideration and using more packaging than is necessary is bad for the environment and an additional cost.
5. BIG ONE… this package, according to USPS DMM, must be dropped off in the SAME ZIP CODE as YOUR SHIPPING address. See 604.4.63 of the USPS DMM. I have a real issue with this as the post office for my zip code is not the closest to me. I will be talking with local postal officials about this over the coming weeks. My local Post Office has HORRIBLE hours -> 9:00 am - 4:30pm which does not work for normal working folks. They are only open for 2 hours on Saturday! IT also does NOT have a package drop off container.
Just have the USPS pick up the package when they deliver, after all they are in the same zip when they take control of the package. Problem over. Why go to the PO if you don’t have to. Especially with the holidays coming up. Pick up is free if you do a lot of business with them or if the item is Priority or Express
Most of my items fit in their 7x7x6 Priority Boxes, and when I enter that dimension in Amazon it gives me the option for Cubic shipping. But if it’s not the cheaper method, it recommends another option. It has saved me some money on several of my packages. I also use ShipStation for my other platforms and even though it gives me the option in the drop down list for “cubic” - I get the error: “Stamps.com: Requested value ‘Cubic’ was not found.”
We’ve used this for a few of our PM orders and waiting to see if there’s any blowback. So far, so good.
I have found that when purchasing shipping through Amazon, after I enter the box size and weight, Amazon automatically determines (no need to measure) if the package is eligible for Cubic. I read somewhere that tubes, padded envelopes are not eligible for Cubic, I’m under the impression it is only for boxes.
In my opinion, Flat Rate boxes do not qualify for cubic because just like it says on those boxes, they are for Flat Rate. I see no reason why regular Priority Boxes can’t be used for Cubic. I would think the Priority box marked Box 4 would be eligible for Cubic but I haven’t tried to use it for Cubic.
The thing to be aware of is Cubic pricing is not always cheaper than Priority if your package is not that heavy.
I have found that when purchasing shipping through Amazon, after I enter the box size and weight, Amazon automatically determines (no need to measure) if the package is eligible for Cubic. I read somewhere that tubes, padded envelopes are not eligible for Cubic, I’m under the impression it is only for boxes.
In my opinion, Flat Rate boxes do not qualify for cubic because just like it says on those boxes, they are for Flat Rate. I see no reason why regular Priority Boxes can’t be used for Cubic. I would think the Priority box marked Box 4 would be eligible for Cubic but I haven’t tried to use it for Cubic.
The thing to be aware of is Cubic pricing is not always cheaper than Priority if your package is not that heavy.
Flat rate and Regional Rate boxes can only be used for those services.
AS for the other USPS priority mail boxes, they can be used and if you look at the bottom of them, it actually gives you the outside cubic dimensions. This will of course change if you create any bulges or if you cut them down to a smaller sizes…
Flat rate and Regional Rate boxes can only be used for those services.
AS for the other USPS priority mail boxes, they can be used and if you look at the bottom of them, it actually gives you the outside cubic dimensions. This will of course change if you create any bulges or if you cut them down to a smaller sizes…
Get a small PO box at the closer one, then change your ship-from address.
Get a small PO box at the closer one, then change your ship-from address.
why are you going to the post office? ask postmaster to be put on a commercial pickup route.
why are you going to the post office? ask postmaster to be put on a commercial pickup route.
The cubic rate doesn’t make much of a difference from regular mail. It’s a matter of cents, not dollars on some packages.
The cubic rate doesn’t make much of a difference from regular mail. It’s a matter of cents, not dollars on some packages.
I have been using cubic rates for over 2 years, well over 200 boxes. I many times bring these to other zipcodes to ship and never once did the PO I brought them to question the zipcode difference or tell me they would not accept my packages. I
I have been using cubic rates for over 2 years, well over 200 boxes. I many times bring these to other zipcodes to ship and never once did the PO I brought them to question the zipcode difference or tell me they would not accept my packages. I
you are making this too complicated. Let us start with this misconception.
Cubic Pricing is reserved for companies that ship 50,000 parcels a year so this is a GIFT from Amazon to help us out.
Cubic pricing is for Commercial plus and above customers. The USPS is fairly good about letting you become commercial plus as long as you spend a significant amount on postage or use a postal printing service Amazon, Stamps.com, etc.
Many local post offices have no clue what this rate even is!!
True. And they are not required to know because if they have to handle it the rate does not apply. That includes just going to the window and handing them the package. If your PO has a drop off location you can put prelabeled packages in that area. Most offices do.
1. Do not use Regional Rate or Flat Rate boxes with this postage (not 100% verifiable).
This is a duh moment. First they are not Regional rate so they do not qualify to use the regional rate box and may be returned to sender or delivered with postage due. Neither is a good option. 2. I have never had a problem using the flat rate box for “cubic” pricing as long as its dimension fit the requirements.
2. I believe you can use the other Priority Mail boxes that are not branded REGIONAL or FLAT RATE. I need some backup on this one.
see above
3. Measure the package and round DOWN to nearest 1/4". After rounding down each measurement, multiply LxWxH and divide the total by 1728 to get cubic feet. And here is the gotcha in Amazon’s System, you may need to put in a custom box for each time you ship the package. For instance, my 12x12x6 boxes are roughly 1/2" cu ft. BUT, after packing them with enough packing to protect my product, I have found that the box measures 12.25x12x6 after rounding down. This is OVER the 0.5 cu ft limit for cubic pricing.
** This can get you in trouble.**
Too hard. Go to your postage vendor and enter the dimensions of the box. If you qualify for the rate it will automatically apply it. Or so I believe. Stamps.com does it so why wouldn’t Amazon or other vendors. Why do the maths when the program will do it for you.
4. Weight does not matter as long as the package is less than 20 lbs. I have taken advantage of this by using more packing material to better protect my products.
OK but your packaging should always be sufficient to protect the product. Shipping cost should not be more than a minor consideration and using more packaging than is necessary is bad for the environment and an additional cost.
5. BIG ONE… this package, according to USPS DMM, must be dropped off in the SAME ZIP CODE as YOUR SHIPPING address. See 604.4.63 of the USPS DMM. I have a real issue with this as the post office for my zip code is not the closest to me. I will be talking with local postal officials about this over the coming weeks. My local Post Office has HORRIBLE hours -> 9:00 am - 4:30pm which does not work for normal working folks. They are only open for 2 hours on Saturday! IT also does NOT have a package drop off container.
Just have the USPS pick up the package when they deliver, after all they are in the same zip when they take control of the package. Problem over. Why go to the PO if you don’t have to. Especially with the holidays coming up. Pick up is free if you do a lot of business with them or if the item is Priority or Express
you are making this too complicated. Let us start with this misconception.
Cubic Pricing is reserved for companies that ship 50,000 parcels a year so this is a GIFT from Amazon to help us out.
Cubic pricing is for Commercial plus and above customers. The USPS is fairly good about letting you become commercial plus as long as you spend a significant amount on postage or use a postal printing service Amazon, Stamps.com, etc.
Many local post offices have no clue what this rate even is!!
True. And they are not required to know because if they have to handle it the rate does not apply. That includes just going to the window and handing them the package. If your PO has a drop off location you can put prelabeled packages in that area. Most offices do.
1. Do not use Regional Rate or Flat Rate boxes with this postage (not 100% verifiable).
This is a duh moment. First they are not Regional rate so they do not qualify to use the regional rate box and may be returned to sender or delivered with postage due. Neither is a good option. 2. I have never had a problem using the flat rate box for “cubic” pricing as long as its dimension fit the requirements.
2. I believe you can use the other Priority Mail boxes that are not branded REGIONAL or FLAT RATE. I need some backup on this one.
see above
3. Measure the package and round DOWN to nearest 1/4". After rounding down each measurement, multiply LxWxH and divide the total by 1728 to get cubic feet. And here is the gotcha in Amazon’s System, you may need to put in a custom box for each time you ship the package. For instance, my 12x12x6 boxes are roughly 1/2" cu ft. BUT, after packing them with enough packing to protect my product, I have found that the box measures 12.25x12x6 after rounding down. This is OVER the 0.5 cu ft limit for cubic pricing.
** This can get you in trouble.**
Too hard. Go to your postage vendor and enter the dimensions of the box. If you qualify for the rate it will automatically apply it. Or so I believe. Stamps.com does it so why wouldn’t Amazon or other vendors. Why do the maths when the program will do it for you.
4. Weight does not matter as long as the package is less than 20 lbs. I have taken advantage of this by using more packing material to better protect my products.
OK but your packaging should always be sufficient to protect the product. Shipping cost should not be more than a minor consideration and using more packaging than is necessary is bad for the environment and an additional cost.
5. BIG ONE… this package, according to USPS DMM, must be dropped off in the SAME ZIP CODE as YOUR SHIPPING address. See 604.4.63 of the USPS DMM. I have a real issue with this as the post office for my zip code is not the closest to me. I will be talking with local postal officials about this over the coming weeks. My local Post Office has HORRIBLE hours -> 9:00 am - 4:30pm which does not work for normal working folks. They are only open for 2 hours on Saturday! IT also does NOT have a package drop off container.
Just have the USPS pick up the package when they deliver, after all they are in the same zip when they take control of the package. Problem over. Why go to the PO if you don’t have to. Especially with the holidays coming up. Pick up is free if you do a lot of business with them or if the item is Priority or Express
Most of my items fit in their 7x7x6 Priority Boxes, and when I enter that dimension in Amazon it gives me the option for Cubic shipping. But if it’s not the cheaper method, it recommends another option. It has saved me some money on several of my packages. I also use ShipStation for my other platforms and even though it gives me the option in the drop down list for “cubic” - I get the error: “Stamps.com: Requested value ‘Cubic’ was not found.”
Most of my items fit in their 7x7x6 Priority Boxes, and when I enter that dimension in Amazon it gives me the option for Cubic shipping. But if it’s not the cheaper method, it recommends another option. It has saved me some money on several of my packages. I also use ShipStation for my other platforms and even though it gives me the option in the drop down list for “cubic” - I get the error: “Stamps.com: Requested value ‘Cubic’ was not found.”
We’ve used this for a few of our PM orders and waiting to see if there’s any blowback. So far, so good.
We’ve used this for a few of our PM orders and waiting to see if there’s any blowback. So far, so good.