The USPS Introduces New Surcharges

As of July 9, 2023, Retail Ground, Parcel Select, and domestic First-Class Package Service will be combined into USPS Ground Advantage™. Visit our blog for more information.

Beginning April 3, the United States Postal Service added new surcharges to large packages with sides of more than 22 inches or 30 inches. The surcharges are not a surprise. They were introduced as part of the USPS’s rate increase for 2022. But these specific surcharges were delayed until April, though they are now in place.

The surcharges come in response to the significantly increased shipping volume that the USPS has experienced in recent years. Continue reading to learn more about these new surcharges and how they may affect ecommerce businesses.

The Cost of the New Surcharges

Most ecommerce brands that use the USPS want to know exactly how much these new surcharges are going to cost. The answer is: It depends on how large your package is.

If any side of your shipment exceeds 22 inches, it will receive a $4 surcharge. If any side of your shipment exceeds 30 inches, or if the package is larger than 2 cubic feet, it will receive a $15 surcharge. Also, entering incorrect dimensions that lead to an oversized surcharge will receive an additional $1.50 surcharge.

The USPS Services Affected

The surcharges listed above apply to four USPS services, both domestic and commercial. Anything sent via the USPS as Media Mail will not receive a surcharge. The four services impacted by the surcharges are: 

  • Priority Mail
  • Priority Mail Express
  • USPS Retail Ground
  • Parcel Select

If you feel that you have received a surcharge in error, you can get in touch with the USPS’s Automated Package Verification Department. You can reach them either by phone at 1-844-819-5187 or by email at [email protected]. When you reach out to them, make sure that you have the adjustment ID from your USPS postage account, your tracking number (at least the last four digits), and a detailed explanation of why you feel surcharges were applied mistakenly. 

Let ShipEngine Help

When you choose ShipEngine as your platform for ecommerce shipping, you immediately gain access to pre-negotiated discounts through several carriers — the USPS included. You also enjoy access to more than 100 carriers, including parcel carriers, international carriers, regional carriers, LTL carriers, and more.

Access to these discounts and the ability to shop rates across dozens of carriers help your business optimize its shipping costs for long-term savings.

Are you interested in saving on shipping? Get in touch with us to talk more about your business and its shipping needs, or start a free trial to explore what ShipEngine can do for you.

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