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USPS Package Dimensions

February 16, 2022 07:17PM
I've always mailed packages with every dimension (length, width, height) under 12 inches. But now i have a long item to ship where the length will be around 15 inches. Does anyone know if this is allowed for the regular box shops? For example, a 15x10x8 box. Thanks!
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February 16, 2022 11:00PM
Yes! The three sides just have to be 36” or less combined.
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February 17, 2022 12:43AM
NO, the package has to be smaller than 12 x 12 x 12. None of the sides can be over 12". I've tried, and didn't get paid for my shop. I also have 11" x 6" x 9" boxes and 9 x 9 x 9 boxes because of this.
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February 17, 2022 01:03AM
Interesting, different opinions. Thanks for the replies. I think i remember a question on one of the previous quizzes regarding this, and it seems like one of the acceptable answers had a box where the overall dimensions are under 36". But i can't remember for sure. The guidelines don't go into much detail except for saying that the box must be under 12x12x12. I think that leaves some room for interpretation. I've emailed the scheduler for an answer but haven't heard back yet. Anyone else have input on this?
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February 17, 2022 01:05AM
@Snuffycuts99 wrote:

I've always mailed packages with every dimension (length, width, height) under 12 inches. But now i have a long item to ship where the length will be around 15 inches. Does anyone know if this is allowed for the regular box shops? For example, a 15x10x8 box. Thanks!

You’ll be good as long as the weight is in line. How much is it to weight? The maximum girth allowed around the thickest part is 108”. The guidelines say the max is 12x12x12 but you should be good with your dimensions, just don’t include a measuring stick or a picture of the dimensions if they are on the box lol.
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February 17, 2022 01:24AM
I haven't bought the box yet. I think I could get by with a 14" length. The width and height can both be under 10". So I'll have to do some searching for the right size. Strangely, my local Walmarts are EXTREMELY low on their supply of boxes. The weight is a little above 2 lbs (probably just under 3), but I've done that before with no issues. Especially when it falls within the reimbursement. Looks like it should cost 11.75 to ship so I'm hoping it'll be fine. But Morledzep has me a bit concerned if they didn't get paid.
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February 17, 2022 02:01AM
@Snuffycuts99 wrote:

I haven't bought the box yet. I think I could get by with a 14" length. The width and height can both be under 10". So I'll have to do some searching for the right size. Strangely, my local Walmarts are EXTREMELY low on their supply of boxes. The weight is a little above 2 lbs (probably just under 3), but I've done that before with no issues. Especially when it falls within the reimbursement. Looks like it should cost 11.75 to ship so I'm hoping it'll be fine. But Morledzep has me a bit concerned if they didn't get paid.

My Walmart is low too. I’ve gone to Staples to get my boxes, I just don’t photograph the side with the dimensions or submit a box reimbursement.

You’re good with that weight. I’ve sent 5+ lb boxes before and always been accepted. Just don’t have your size/weight hit the DIM weight as your receipt will show that and your shop will be rejected.
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February 17, 2022 05:47AM
I have mailed numerous items with one side longer than 12 inches. As long as you are under 36 inches for the three sides, I have had no issues.
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February 19, 2022 08:17PM
@Equine24 wrote:

I have mailed numerous items with one side longer than 12 inches. As long as you are under 36 inches for the three sides, I have had no issues.

Love to know how you got away with it. The only time I've ever been able to use larger boxes was with the old Dimension/weight shops that we don't do anymore. I had an old dim/weight box, 14" long on one side, and I used it for a reg box, the editor caught it and I didn't get paid.
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February 19, 2022 10:06PM
Nothing “to get away with”. I often have boxes that are longer than 12” on one side with the total being 36” or less. This is especially true when doing the shops at holidays and birthdays. This past December I had one in particular that was 20” x 10” x 2” and had no problem.

Perhaps you had an editor who didn’t understand the guidelines. I have done these shops for at least six years with no issues.
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February 22, 2022 02:43AM
The question on the quiz says 1 cubic foot. The guidelines say 12"x12"x12", which is 1 cu ft.

12x12x12= 1728 cu in
15x10x8= 1200 cu in

You are under a cu ft and should be good.
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March 03, 2022 10:06PM
I ROUTINELY mail USPS shop packages with a dimension over 12". i have never had a shop declined for shipping a larger box.
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March 03, 2022 10:12PM
Y'all buy boxes? I use my old amazon boxes. i ask friends to save me their small / medium size boxes. i have never ever had an issue with a shop being kicked back because i used a used box.
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March 03, 2022 10:26PM
I assume you turn the boxes inside out?
@cherokitty wrote:

Y'all buy boxes? I use my old amazon boxes. i ask friends to save me their small / medium size boxes. i have never ever had an issue with a shop being kicked back because i used a used box.

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt
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March 03, 2022 10:39PM
I turn amazon and walmart boxes inside out and re glue them. Cant have any logos showing on them!
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March 04, 2022 12:42AM
@Susan L. wrote:

I turn amazon and walmart boxes inside out and re glue them. Cant have any logos showing on them!
Me too! It's been a long, long time since I've had to buy a box for a shipping shop! I turn the inside out and tape them with packing tape. I've never had any issues doing this.
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March 04, 2022 02:15AM
I feel like it's wasteful to buy boxes when there are so many free ones that will go to the dump instead of recycle.
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March 04, 2022 03:07AM
Not only are the free boxes turned inside out ---the packing tape used to was purchased during another USPS shop when that package was not permitted to be shipped. I stockpile boxes when I see them in grocery stores.
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March 05, 2022 01:17AM
Just to update...my shop was accepted without any issues. Thanks for all the helpful replies!
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March 12, 2022 06:18AM
@KathyG
nope, i have never turned a box inside out. i have never covered the logo UNLESS the logo etc. was on the side of the box that i needed to photograph. i do have brown packing tape that i use to cover the box if it is too marked up but i don't even do that 90% of the time. I do as many USPS shops as i can get so in my opinion i do a lot of them. the box used has never been an issue.
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March 13, 2022 09:08AM
@Snuffycuts99 I’m glad they reimbursed you it sounds like the editor did not catch it. The USPS is supposed to mark it as an oversized package. If they did you most likely would not have been reimbursed because it also prompts them to add an additional charge and to make it as oversized. That’s why they are so specific with respect to the size.

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March 13, 2022 03:03PM
@succeedin2 wrote:

@Snuffycuts99 I’m glad they reimbursed you it sounds like the editor did not catch it. The USPS is supposed to mark it as an oversized package. If they did you most likely would not have been reimbursed because it also prompts them to add an additional charge and to make it as oversized. That’s why they are so specific with respect to the size.

One time I had a very large box that clearly exceeded the dimensions, however the clerk just put 12x12x12 in their system and I was charged the regular priority price versus the DIM price.

Other times I’ve had clerks measure small boxes to the inch. I think it just depends on what mood the clerk is in when we drop the packages off.
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March 14, 2022 03:17AM
Its not over sized if under 36 total inches. All was stated in a prior response.
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March 14, 2022 04:04AM
@Capurato wrote:

The maximum girth allowed around the thickest part is 108”.

Not exactly.... For Priority Mail, the total dimension allowed is the length of the package plus the girth can't exceed 108". This isn't the same as the MSC's rule of 1 cubic foot max.

I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
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