The balloon rate is limited to local and Zones 1–4 only, to reflect the costs of handling and transporting large parcels via surface transportation.These packages are charged the 20-pound balloon rate. Complimentary Priority Mail packaging - which is available for order online, by telephone (80), and at Post Offices - is never subject to dimensional-weight pricing.īalloon-rate pricing applies to Priority Mail packages (addressed for delivery to local and Zones 1–4 only) measuring more than 84 inches in combined length and girth and weighing less than 20 pounds.No Priority Mail item will ever be subject to both dimensional-weight and balloon-rate pricing.See the article titled “Holiday Mailing Tips and Reminders” on page 10 in this issue of the Postal Bulletin. Remind customers to practice “right-size shipping” when preparing their items for mailing.Other commercial carriers use this standard to determine prices for packages shipped by air. It is based on a standard issued by the International Air Transport Associations (IATA). Dimensional-weight pricing aligns our Priority Mail prices with the costs we incur for shipping these items by air.

If a large package is relatively light and addressed for delivery to Zones 5–8, it could be charged as a heavier-weight item. It converts the cubic size of a mailpiece into a dimensional weight. Priority Mail Dimensional-Weight Pricingĭimensional-weight pricing is based on the cubic capacity of a package rather than on weight. The Priority Mail Flat-Rate Envelope is priced at $4.60 - the same as the (unzoned) 1-pound rate.Īn overview of Priority Mail dimensional-weight and balloon-rate pricing is provided below to help you understand the changes and be prepared to discuss them with customers. The Priority Mail Flat-Rate Box is priced at $8.95, regardless of weight, contents, or distance traveled.The maximum size for Priority Mail items is 108 inches in combined length and girth (the length of the longest side, plus the distance around its thickest part).The weight limit for Priority Mail items is 70 lbs.Priority Mail items are First-Class Mail items weighing more than 13 ounces and, at the mailer’s option, any other material (including First-Class Mail items) weighing 13 ounces or less.

Size of large usps flat rate box