There’s no denying the growing trend of ecommerce business and the need to find the most efficient way to ship packages. It’s important for businesses to re-evaluate their shipping strategies and ensure they’re taking advantage of the most cost-effective options. So read on to learn more about the “secret service” of the USPS® for shipping smaller but heavier parcels.

Priority Mail^® Cubic is a special rate or sub-service of Priority Mail^® for smaller packages where a mailer pays based on the size of the mail piece instead of the weight. It has a maximum weight of 20 pounds and the size can be no bigger than .5 cubic feet. This rate is not available at the post office and is not available in all online shipping platforms. This rate can only be used by shippers who have access to Commercial Plus Pricing. 

Even small shippers who ship only a few packages can gain access to the USPS Cubic rates if they are partnered with a large volume shipper. If you use an online shipping application, chances are you automatically qualify for Commercial Plus Pricing and USPS^® cubic, the lowest USPS^® published rates.

In simplest terms, it’s a dense parcel or a heavy envelope. If you want to measure it yourself, you multiple the length (L) x width (W) x height (H) and then divide the sum by 1728. Note, the maximum dimension of any side is 18”. If that seems complex, don’t worry, applications like FP Parcel Shipping does the calculation automatically for you ensuring accuracy.

If you ship smaller but heavy packages you can save big. Examples include: auto parts, medical instruments, home décor and artwork, small parts and paper goods.

The savings is up to 88% but the averages are more likely between 25-40%.

If you mail a 3 lb. large envelope that measures 10”x13”x2” then it is .2 cubic. Priority Mail retail, zone 5, costs $13.70 but with USPS^® cubic it is only $9.12 for the same mail piece. That’s a 33% savings.

Let’s say you ship auto parts, like brake rotors. The package measures 11”x11”x4” with a weight of 10 pounds. That’s .3 cubic and therefore you would pay $10.03 if the package was going to zone 5. If you paid Priority Mail^® Retail it would be a whopping $22.20 or 120% more than cubic. What’s more is that with Commercial Plus Pricing you also get $100 of free insurance.  

FP offers an online shipping application, FP Parcel Shipping, that gives customers access to Commercial Plus Pricing and the USPS Cubic Rates. FP Parcel Shipping calculates the cubic pricing automatically to ensure you get the best rate with accurate rating. Additionally, when using FP Parcel Shipping, you are partnered with FP which allows you to classified as a ‘large volume shipper’ and obtain access to all the money saving rates.

On top of the huge savings, the biggest advantages with FP Parcel Shipping are the tracking, tracking emails and the $100 in free insurance. Delivery is typically within 1-3 business days including Saturday. FP Parcel Shipping also CASS validates addresses preventing shipping to incorrect or incomplete addresses that would delay shipment or even cause a return. Of course, with the USPS^®, unlike the carriers, you never get hit with fuel surcharges or residential delivery fees.