USPS Surcharges & Fees
Beginning April 3, USPS will be introducing surcharges for oversized packages with sides over 20” or 30.” These surcharges were announced as part of USPS’s 2022 rate changes beginning in January but were delayed until April 2022. We understand these changes sound scary, so we’ve included more information about what the surcharges are and what you can do to avoid them.
What are surcharges?
Surcharges are additional fees added to packages that don’t comply with the regulations USPS gives for using their services. For example, if your package has longer sides than the regulations USPS has, your package can receive additional charges once it’s been scanned by USPS. For instance, if you send multiple packages with the same incorrect dimensions, surcharges can quickly add up, costing your business money from all the additional fees. Incorrect dimensions can even lead to potential order delays for your customers because these shipments can take longer to process.
What are the new surcharges?
Moving forward, USPS is going to charge more for really long and really big packages. These charges apply to Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, USPS Retail Ground, and Parcel Select, and these changes will not apply to Media Mail or the First Class Package Service. These surcharges will also be applied to both domestic and commercial shipments.
This means shipments with sides longer than 22” will be subject to $4 fees, and shipments with sides longer than 30” or over 2 cubic feet (3,456”) will be subject to $15 fees. If the dimensions of a package are incorrect, an additional fee of $1.50 will also be added. Your package’s cubic measurements can be found using [ Length x Width x Height ] / 1728.
Can I dispute an adjustment or surcharge?
If you believe you were incorrectly issued adjustment fees, you can dispute the charge with the USPS directly. You will need to contact the USPS Automated Package Verification department directly. Email [email protected] or call 1-844-819-5187, and provide as much of the below information as possible:
- Adjustment ID from your USPS postage account
- The last four digits of the Tracking Number
- The reason or explanation for the dispute (with as much detail as possible)
How can I save on shipping costs and avoid surcharges?
Ignoring the dimensions given by USPS can cause your package to be rerouted as Priority Mail, resulting in more adjustment fees. We recommend entering the dimensions for all of your shipments when possible to avoid any surcharges/USPS adjustments.
As with any shipping carrier changes, this serves as a great opportunity to review your shipping strategy to ensure you’re getting the best possible rates. If you are not already using the ShipWorks Best Rate Tool or our Advanced Order Routing services, contact our team for a features audit. Our team of experts can make sure you’re utilizing all of the features ShipWorks offers to help keep your shipping costs low and your workflows efficient.