USPS Cubic Rates in ShipWorks

USPS offers volume-based cubic pricing. Cubic rates are ideal for small, heavy packages since the pricing is based on the volume of the package instead of the weight. ShipWorks can make these rates available to shippers of all sizes.

ShipWorks will automatically apply the cubic rate whenever it's cheaper than the Priority rate. This is determined by entering the weight and dimensions of the shipment, then selecting the eligible service. For details on how cubic pricing is calculated, see the section Calculating Cubic for Domestic Priority and Ground Advantage.

The following USPS services are eligible for cubic pricing:

USPS Priority Mail

USPS Priority Mail cubic pricing can apply to small packages that meet the following requirements:

Weighs less than 20 pounds
Measures 0.50 cubic feet or less
Longest dimension does not exceed 18 inches

USPS Ground Advantage

USPS Ground Advantage cubic pricing is the most cost-saving - and slowest - option for shipping packages that meet the following requirements:

Weighs less than 20 pounds
Measures 1 cubic foot or less
Longest dimension does not exceed 18 inches

Receive Cubic Rates in ShipWorks

To receive cubic rates in ShipWorks:

Choose USPS Ground Advantage (formerly Parcel Select Ground) or a domestic Priority service.
Package Requirements

You may use any box that meets the dimensional requirements as long as the following are true:
- The longest dimension does not exceed 18 inches
- Is not a tube or a roll
- Is not a USPS Flat Rate box. Flat Rate boxes must be used with the designated package type selected when creating a label.
Enter the package weight & dimensions. Dimensions must be rounded down to the nearest 0.25 inch.

Once you have entered package dimensions, ShipWorks will automatically evaluate your shipments to determine which rate is less: weight-based or volume-based (cubic) rates. The lower of the two will appear as your postage cost.

Calculating Cubic for Domestic Priority and Ground Advantage

The cubic feet measurement for the package is calculated by: [ Length x Width x Height ] / 1728 = Cubic Feet

All measurements should be rounded down to the nearest 0.25 inch.

The appropriate USPS tier will be assigned to the shipment depending on the service type selected.

Domestic Priority Cubic Measurements

Cubic measurements for Domestic Priority has five tiers:

Cubic Price Tiers	Mailpieces Measuring	Cubic Foot
0.1	measuring up to and including	.10
0.2	measuring more than	.10 up to and including .20
0.3	measuring more than	.20 up to and including .30
0.4	measuring more than	.30 up to and including .40
0.5	measuring more than	.40 up to and including .50

Ground Advantage Cubic Measurements

Cubic measurements for Ground Advantage has 10 tiers:

Cubic Price Tiers	Mailpieces Measuring	Cubic Foot
0.1	measuring up to ...	0.1
0.2	measuring more than ...	.10 up to .20
0.3	measuring more than ...	.20 up to .30
0.4	measuring more than ...	.30 up to .40
0.5	measuring more than ...	.40 up to .50
0.6	measuring more than ...	.50 up to .60
0.7	measuring more than ...	.60 up to .70
0.8	measuring more than ...	.70 up to .80
0.9	measuring more than ...	.80 up to .90
1	measuring more than ...	.90 up to 1.00

Still Need Help?

Please feel free to reach out to one of our awesome Technical Support Representatives in St. Louis. We are happy to help.

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