I haven't done one of these shops in a while. The dimension of 12x12x12 - does that mean 12+12+12 (36) total for length, width and depth? I'm wondering if I could use this shop for a 13x13x5 box since l+w+d=31 or of 12" in the absolute maximum the box can be in any one direction.

Thanks for any help!

The folks on the forum say so. But I have chosen not to tempt the editing goddesses into giving them a reason to deny my shop. No box I ship is ever more than 12" on any side.

12 by 12 by 12 or smaller any side

As long as your box is less than 1728 cubic inches, you’re good. I’ve mailed some large boxes and I’ve had very lenient clerks who don’t even input dimensions.

Below is an example.

One cubic foot is 12" x 12" x12". A common box size is the 18" x 16" x 6" box. When the length, width, and height of this box are multiplied together, it is 1728 cubic inches - 1 cubic foot. Any box smaller than this is less than one cubic foot and not subject to dimensional weight.

Also if you use a flexible mailer or poly bag, you should be good.

What size box are you thinking of mailing? What’s the weight?

@olympia tennenbaum wrote:

I haven't done one of these shops in a while. The dimension of 12x12x12 - does that mean 12+12+12 (36) total for length, width and depth? I'm wondering if I could use this shop for a 13x13x5 box since l+w+d=31 or of 12" in the absolute maximum the box can be in any one direction.

Thanks for any help!

I think your 13 x 13 x 5 box should be fine, as it's less than the total volume of a 12 x 12 x 12 box, as @Capurato notes. I've mailed some boxes that had a longest dimension of maybe 14" or so and haven't had any issues.

I could swear that at one time there was a clarification from the MSC about this, and that was that as long as the cubic-inch total was equal to or less than the 12 x 12 x 12 box, it was OK. Except, for example, a long tube mailer. I don't remember when that was, and I don't see it in the current guidelines. Maybe it is or was in the quiz materials?

@gene wrote:

12 by 12 by 12 or smaller any side

The actual guidelines say - Size matters! The box needs to be 12” x 12” x 12” inches or
smaller. Does that mean a cubic foot or smaller?

I'm not seeing any restriction on the USPS site about those dimensions as a restriction.

@Morledzep wrote:

The folks on the forum say so. But I have chosen not to tempt the editing goddesses into giving them a reason to deny my shop. No box I ship is ever more than 12" on any side.

Ha, ha. The fewer questions, the better! I understand that!

I'm looking at 13x13x5 and I don't think it'll be over a lb. Well, with the box it probably will be but less than 2 lbs. It's a straw hat so very lightweight. And thank you!

@BirdyC wrote:

@olympia tennenbaum wrote:

I haven't done one of these shops in a while. The dimension of 12x12x12 - does that mean 12+12+12 (36) total for length, width and depth? I'm wondering if I could use this shop for a 13x13x5 box since l+w+d=31 or of 12" in the absolute maximum the box can be in any one direction.

Thanks for any help!

I think your 13 x 13 x 5 box should be fine, as it's less than the total volume of a 12 x 12 x 12 box, as @Capurato notes. I've mailed some boxes that had a longest dimension of maybe 14" or so and haven't had any issues.

I could swear that at one time there was a clarification from the MSC about this, and that was that as long as the cubic-inch total was equal to or less than the 12 x 12 x 12 box, it was OK. Except, for example, a long tube mailer. I don't remember when that was, and I don't see it in the current guidelines. Maybe it is or was in the quiz materials?

I'm going to just go with the less than a cubic foot and roll with that. My local USPS seems to be short on rulers and long on attitude so I'll just try to fly in and out as quickly as possible!

I just went online at the postal service and input several different package sizes. As long as my box stayed under the 1738 cu in the price of my package remained at $17.05. even with a side that was 14 inches or 15 inches. When my total went over 1738 cubic inches by a few cubic inches suddenly the same weight package to the same zip code was $57.65.
That is why the rule is there. It is the total cubic inches that is important along with a correct weight.

Just an FYI about these.... I was told by someone at the big "I" that my shop was rejected because the picture I took was "after" the visit. I'm not sure how they came to that conclusion....something about meta-data??? Anyway, I sent in the picture of the box I used in the shop and a second box I used for a shop done on the same day. What I did do though was rotate the picture on the submission form (it came off my phone at an angle) it which I guess violated the meta-data thingy whatever. Point being...the the picture you take of the box before going into the post office; don't try to crop it; enhance it, or anything else; just submit it as is.

Condor, I tried that, the editor said the didn't want to see the interior of my car, and I needed to crop the pics so that all they can see is the box. They also said the same thing about the food pics from the hedgehog that does know how to cook.

@condorchristi wrote:

Just an FYI about these.... I was told by someone at the big "I" that my shop was rejected because the picture I took was "after" the visit. I'm not sure how they came to that conclusion....something about meta-data??? Anyway, I sent in the picture of the box I used in the shop and a second box I used for a shop done on the same day. What I did do though was rotate the picture on the submission form (it came off my phone at an angle) it which I guess violated the meta-data thingy whatever. Point being...the the picture you take of the box before going into the post office; don't try to crop it; enhance it, or anything else; just submit it as is.

If you use an iPhone, you can adjust the date/time if the metadata as needed. I’m not suggesting you do anything nefarious or dishonest, but if you run into this again the option is there.

@sandyf wrote:

I just went online at the postal service and input several different package sizes. As long as my box stayed under the 1738 cu in the price of my package remained at $17.05. even with a side that was 14 inches or 15 inches. When my total went over 1738 cubic inches by a few cubic inches suddenly the same weight package to the same zip code was $57.65.
That is why the rule is there. It is the total cubic inches that is important along with a correct weight.

Thank you, Sandy! I did something similar as well which is why I figured it had to come down to a max cubic measurement. Thanks for taking the time

Thank you all for sharing your experiences and expertise. I'm always so grateful for this community!

I always take my picture of my package at the house before I leave

I am curious. If you do hazmat shops and have your package rejected with the same package you might use several different times do you take a new photo each time or just resubmit the same photo the next time?. I have not done many hazmat shops due to lack of bonuses combined with chances of being accepted to mail. It takes a few seconds to resnap a new photo each time but keeping track of which is the new one takes concentration on my brain's part.

Geesh..I know I've used the same HazMat photo more than once and haven't had a problem. I guess some editors are really picky or I've been lucky. I'll have to remember to take new photos each time.

Also, most times there's background stuff in my photos. I do crop to remove a lot of it, but again, I've never had a problem with the box photos except one time a long time ago when I snipped off too much of the box and I got a warning about the "whole box" being in the photo.

12 x12x12 is the max but ive gotten away with maybe 3/8" over. it really depends on the USPS clerk. Some are sticklers who pull out a tape measure and make sure. the weight is a hard limit though as it will change the price

There are also clerks who either mis-measure or round up, so be careful. A 12 x 12 x 12 could end up being measured as 13 x 13 x 13. It has happened to me. That should not be a problem, but if the "measured" box volume means that you get charged for "imputed" weight, the price will skyrocket, which is what Sandy observed in their test calculations.

@olympia tennenbaum wrote:

@sandyf wrote:

I just went online at the postal service and input several different package sizes. As long as my box stayed under the 1738 cu in the price of my package remained at $17.05. even with a side that was 14 inches or 15 inches. When my total went over 1738 cubic inches by a few cubic inches suddenly the same weight package to the same zip code was $57.65.
That is why the rule is there. It is the total cubic inches that is important along with a correct weight.

Thank you, Sandy! I did something similar as well which is why I figured it had to come down to a max cubic measurement. Thanks for taking the time

I would suggest, especially if you are re re re using a box at the limit of size that might have been pushed out of shape, pushing the edges back towards the inside when you tape it up. Sometimes these get misaligned. Those three re's in my first sentence were intentional.

Hi! Is there a hint you could give as to which MSC does these shops? Thanks!

@mjmariah13gmail.com wrote:

Hi! Is there a hint you could give as to which MSC does these shops? Thanks!

Sign up for the companies you see being discussed on the company forum and you'll be seeing many of these jobs you're asking about.

Here’s what I did for the USPS shops.

I went to Uline and bought a bundle of boxes for $0.79/each. Make sure you screenshot your receipt because each box is reimbursed as you use them.

Then, I went to Dollar Tree online and ordered a case of 24 boxes of baking soda for 50 cents per box. Each box is 1lb.

At this point, the requirements are filled. Correct size box and weight. Here are the NON-AFFILIATE links to each.

[www.uline.com]

dollartree.com (search for baking soda)


Make sure to buy the freezer bags to put the baking soda box in so it doesn’t spill out everywhere.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/13/2023 08:52PM by KingDouglasTheGreat.

I had this happen. I directed the clerk to look at the bottom of the box which showed 12x12x12. They said their measurement was correct.

I asked for my box back, went back in line and got a different clerk who just pushed it through. This was in Staten Island and they did not score well.

I googled this location and found they had a 1 star rating. Hmm. I wonder why.

@myst4au wrote:

There are also clerks who either mis-measure or round up, so be careful. A 12 x 12 x 12 could end up being measured as 13 x 13 x 13. It has happened to me. That should not be a problem, but if the "measured" box volume means that you get charged for "imputed" weight, the price will skyrocket, which is what Sandy observed in their test calculations.

@olympia tennenbaum wrote:

@sandyf wrote:

I just went online at the postal service and input several different package sizes. As long as my box stayed under the 1738 cu in the price of my package remained at $17.05. even with a side that was 14 inches or 15 inches. When my total went over 1738 cubic inches by a few cubic inches suddenly the same weight package to the same zip code was $57.65.
That is why the rule is there. It is the total cubic inches that is important along with a correct weight.

Thank you, Sandy! I did something similar as well which is why I figured it had to come down to a max cubic measurement. Thanks for taking the time

@mjmariah13gmail.com wrote:

Hi! Is there a hint you could give as to which MSC does these shops? Thanks!

A hint was already given.

KingDouglas, how much was shipping to get the case of baking soda sent to you? I'm curious because shop pay is $12 (unless bonused) but you voluntarily reduced it to $10.71, and possibly more for that shipping by buying stuff and boxes. Boxes are free at most grocery stores or gas stations. Rocks are free and non-hazmat. Or a can of something you'll never use in the kitchen. Or books.

Not trying to pick at you. Not at all. Just trying to help you retain more of your pay. Please don't be offended!

They will never reimburse for whatever you put into the boxes. Which is fine I spent $0.49 each on the canned goods that are in my boxes. The cans and the boxes have been all over the United States and back several times. The boxes get replaced periodically, like every fourth or fifth time they come back. Recently my son came across a big pile of dried beans in 2 lb bags in the trash cans (dumpster diving). As the need arises, when I change out boxes, I put 1 lb of the dried beans into a used zipper bag, and I put that into the new box that is going out.

I have been buying my boxes on Amazon in bundles of 25 or 50, depending on the size of the box. I have different sizes just to keep the mail people guessing, though I'm sure it's not necessary. And also for sending things to friends on One Way trips.

I don't jump through the receipt hoops anymore. I used to, until one of the editors decided that because my receipt was a year old it couldn't possibly be the actual receipt for the boxes that I was shipping. Because I bought a pack of 50 and every box makes at least five trips, so the receipt is old, in fact it's over 2 years old now, but the editor wouldn't accept that it's the actual receipt because there's no way a brand new box could be 2 years old. So now when I have to replace a box, I eat the $0.72 or $0.37 cents that the box cost me. I get tired of the rules for the receipts changing randomly depending on who's editing anyway, so I just do what I need to do.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/14/2023 02:25AM by Morledzep.

Not really. I reduced it to $11.50 because you get reimbursed for the box. Remember, it asks you,”Did you purchase a box for this assignment?” Say yes. Put the screenshot of the receipt. Show that you used 1 box at xyz cost. They give you that back in your reimbursement. I’m good at that point. All requirements are met. I’m not offended. I like hearing the opinions of others. It makes sure I’m not thinking incorrectly.

@sestrahelena wrote:

KingDouglas, how much was shipping to get the case of baking soda sent to you? I'm curious because shop pay is $12 (unless bonused) but you voluntarily reduced it to $10.71, and possibly more for that shipping by buying stuff and boxes. Boxes are free at most grocery stores or gas stations. Rocks are free and non-hazmat. Or a can of something you'll never use in the kitchen. Or books.

Not trying to pick at you. Not at all. Just trying to help you retain more of your pay. Please don't be offended!

I use Uline for my boxes because I can use an invoice for them and pay later. The transaction goes on my business credit report.

@Morledzep wrote:

They will never reimburse for whatever you put into the boxes. Which is fine I spent $0.49 each on the canned goods that are in my boxes. The cans and the boxes have been all over the United States and back several times. The boxes get replaced periodically, like every fourth or fifth time they come back. Recently my son came across a big pile of dried beans in 2 lb bags in the trash cans (dumpster diving). As the need arises, when I change out boxes, I put 1 lb of the dried beans into a used zipper bag, and I put that into the new box that is going out.

I have been buying my boxes on Amazon in bundles of 25 or 50, depending on the size of the box. I have different sizes just to keep the mail people guessing, though I'm sure it's not necessary. And also for sending things to friends on One Way trips.

I don't jump through the receipt hoops anymore. I used to, until one of the editors decided that because my receipt was a year old it couldn't possibly be the actual receipt for the boxes that I was shipping. Because I bought a pack of 50 and every box makes at least five trips, so the receipt is old, in fact it's over 2 years old now, but the editor wouldn't accept that it's the actual receipt because there's no way a brand new box could be 2 years old. So now when I have to replace a box, I eat the $0.72 or $0.37 cents that the box cost me. I get tired of the rules for the receipts changing randomly depending on who's editing anyway, so I just do what I need to do.