Shipping dimensions

OK, I probably should remember this from grade school math but it was so long ago.... If I need something to be under 12x12x12, is it ok if it's 15x10x8? It's still less than the total - technically. Not sure if editors know their math either and I don't want these shops excluded. I have a bunch of things this size.

Shopping domestic and international locations since 2003.

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It used to be ok but I haven't done them since the big changes. Hopefully another shopper has and can tell us how it worked out.

Grr....just phoned and they won't accept it if any one side is over 12 inches.

Shopping domestic and international locations since 2003.

@pambam wrote:

Grr....just phoned and they won't accept it if any one side is over 12 inches.

See??? Now that's what I don't like about this new company....grrrr!!! With the old company, there were times when one side of my box would be 14", but the total dimensions still came in less than the 12x12x12 dimensions, and it was never a problem!

Do not go over 12" on any side. The clerk measures the box and it will void your shop if you exceed by even 1/8"
I have done these shops and they always measure.

I've done over 200 of these shops and they've never measured. But maybe I haven't come close and that's why.

Shopping domestic and international locations since 2003.

To be honest, since the MS company is using I Secret Shop - which is a nice, clear environment - things aren't as bad as I thought. Since I'm only taking them bonused, I'm getting more than with the old company and since I usually reused free boxes, I didn't get reimbursed for boxes anyway. Now that hazmat doesn't have to be Zone 5 or greater anymore, that's a lot less stress. Still will miss the quick payments though.

Shopping domestic and international locations since 2003.

The new MSC is confused yet again, it seems. The information about them "not accepting it" - thats not correct. First of all, they have no idea what the dimensions of the box are as you don't put this on the report, although they do ask how much the package weighed since their editors don't seem to be able to see it right on the receipt. As long as the package is 1728 square inches or smaller (12x12x12=1728), the item is not shipped as over-sized. So your example of 15x10x8=1200 square inches is just fine. Yes, they may measure at the Post Office, but what they are measuring is total square inches. This is why you see them flip the box around to measure all sides (when they measure, they usually don't...I ship at least 50 packages a week).

They measure if they think there is a chance that one side is 12 inches or more. If it is, they measure the other sides as well. If it isn't 12 inches or more, they stop. Most of my boxes are much less than 12 inches so a visual check suffices.

In the past, I have had some boxes measured incorrectly, so be careful. Just like with weight, any fraction over 12 inches is rounded up to 13 inches. If one side exceeds 12 inches, they are supposed to measure all three sides. Sometimes the dimensions appear on the receipt.

Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008

@Cassiespark is spot on. Your box has to be 1 cubic foot (or 1728 cubic inches) or less. It does not matter how you get to that 1 cubic foot. Anything over that is considered dimensional weight, and an additional charge may apply, if the dimensional weight cost is greater than the actual weight cost.

I assume with the new company they require a photo of the package. If so, I suppose the MSC could look at the package photo and know if one side is greater than 12" and not accept it based on that, though it would be difficult to tell 15" from 12" in a photo, as an example. It still does not impact how USPS handles it. As long as it is less than 108" (length + girth), a package can go Priority Mail.

That is why I always used the 52 cent boxes from Walmart that had the dimensions on one side. I purposely wrote the addresses on a side NOT opposite of the dimension side. So, when I took the photograph, it showed the addresses and the dimensions = no questions from the editors and no measuring from the postal clerk.

To make it a little easier, just make sure your 3 dimensions are under 36, instead of having to multiple to be sure you're under 1728 cubic inches. The only way an editor would know your box was over 12" on any side is if you have a surcharge but those are charged at 22" and again at 30". If your receipt doesn't show a surcharge, you're fine. I had a box recently that was 18" x 8" x 2" and the postal employee didn't even measure it because it didn't matter since it wasn't long enough that a surcharge would be applied or oversized because of the 2 smaller sides.

@purpleicee wrote:

That is why I always used the 52 cent boxes from Walmart that had the dimensions on one side. I purposely wrote the addresses on a side NOT opposite of the dimension side. So, when I took the photograph, it showed the addresses and the dimensions = no questions from the editors and no measuring from the postal clerk.

I had a couple shops rejected with the old MSC because they had a word printed on the box so I'm surprised they accepted it when it had the dimensions printed on it.

A couple of months ago I specifically asked the MSC if all sides had to be 12" or less or if one side could be over as long as the total was 36" or less. I received a promptish reply that 12" was the maximum dimension of any side. Period. I have therefore kept my box sizes to 12" or less and have had several assignments accepted.

I have not had the dimensions printed on the receipt ever. I just shipped a puzzle in a 15" x 10" x 4" box. No problem. I would not test it with anything close to 36 combined inches.

The rule for the old company was total. I used to mail boxes that had one side longer than 12 inches many times. USPS charges more if the total is more than 12x12x12. I believe that is why the rule for the old company existed.

However, one time, a USPS clerk measured my box on one side that was over 12 inches and immediately charged me for an oversized box. I explained to her that the total dimensions needed to be more than 1728 which mine were not. I had purchased a particular size box to make sure I followed the guidelines. She wasn’t having it. So I just told her I changed my mind and left with my box. I did my other USPS shops for the day, where all of my boxes had one side longer than 12 inches no problem. I returned hoping I’d get a different clerk who understood the rule correctly, which I did and I was able to perform that shop.

If you have done this job a few times already you will have an idea of what the postage should be. If the clerk has measured your box incorrectly and is charging you quite a bit more than the expected price based on either looking it up before you go or knowing what you always pay, then tell the clerk to re measure. There is no way the editors can know the size of your box unless you have placed a ruler on the floor or some standard measure item next to it. I have never seen dimensions listed on a receipt.
pambam to figure out what you are allowed take out your calculator and input the first of the three numbers, hit x, input the second of the three numbers , hit x again and then = and you will have the total which is your answer. If you forget the number 1728 all you need to do to remember it is on your calculator input 12 then x then 12 then x again, then 12 a third time then x and =. The answer will be 1728. You cannot exceed that number.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/21/2024 02:21AM by sandyf.

What? I think a digit was left out of the equations shown.

You simply multiple all 3 numbers together, in any order. If the result is 1728 or less, your package meets the size requirements. If the result is 1729 or more, the package will be considered oversized.

The MSC has said so many incorrect things about this project, its mind boggling.

That was my point. The example was only referencing 2 of the numbers and could confuse someone who does not know how this should be done.

yes, I guess i got tired of writing the same thing over and over and missed the last one. 12x12x12= osis correct

@purpleicee wrote:

What? I think a digit was left out of the equations shown.

I got the impression that what you call simple is not simple for everyone. The poster said they do not know how to do that which is why I spelled it out. And yes, you are correct I left one of the digits out.

@Cassiespark wrote:

You simply multiple all 3 numbers together, in any order. If the result is 1728 or less, your package meets the size requirements. If the result is 1729 or more, the package will be considered oversized.

The MSC has said so many incorrect things about this project, its mind boggling.

I think that you are all making it too difficult. The sum of the sides must be less than or equal to 36".

12+12+12 pass
12+10+15 fail
14+14+4 pass

If all 3 sides are less than 12, nothing to worry about.

I can add 3 numbers much easier than I can multiply them and determine if the number is less than 12 cubed.

Adding the 3 sides does not always work.

Try 20 x 12 x 7

Adding = 39, which is greater than 36 which according to you would mean a fail.
But multiplying 20 x 12 x 7 = 1680 which is a pass according to the post office.

Here is another that fails according to your addition method, but passes when multiplication is used as specified by the USPS: 19 x 12 x 7. Addition gives 38 (fails according to you), but multiplication gives 1596 which is an easy pass.,

@BayShopper22 wrote:

I think that you are all making it too difficult. The sum of the sides must be less than or equal to 36".

12+12+12 pass
12+10+15 fail
14+14+4 pass

If all 3 sides are less than 12, nothing to worry about.

I can add 3 numbers much easier than I can multiply them and determine if the number is less than 12 cubed.

Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008

9 x 9 x 14 fail
no one side should be more than 12

This has become a bonehead thread. Why is it so hard for some to understand to just multiply the 3 numbers and stay within or under the limit?

@Rho wrote:

9 x 9 x 14 fail
no one side should be more than 12

Nope. I have sent boxes over 12" on one side MANY times.

@purpleicee wrote:

This has become a bonehead thread. Why is it so hard for some to understand to just multiply the 3 numbers and stay within or under the limit?

I suppose. I thought that the sides were added, not multiplied. I learned something new.
I just don't push the limit. I would not use a 12x12x12 box because the clerk might decide it is 1/16" over 12" and round up to 13".

Thats not accurate. The new MSC is super confused and told someone this, but its the overall dimensions that matter. I do 20-30 a month for the new MSC and a huge percentage of the time I have a box with one side longer than 12 inches. Is the postal provider's pricing guidelines that matter, not the confused MSC.

@Rho wrote:

9 x 9 x 14 fail
no one side should be more than 12

I buy the 12x12x12 boxes in bulk and use them all the time. they will have the dimensions printed on the bottom, in case the clerk needs to reference that.

@BayShopper22 wrote:

@purpleicee wrote:

This has become a bonehead thread. Why is it so hard for some to understand to just multiply the 3 numbers and stay within or under the limit?

I suppose. I thought that the sides were added, not multiplied. I learned something new.
I just don't push the limit. I would not use a 12x12x12 box because the clerk might decide it is 1/16" over 12" and round up to 13".

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