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.

If you ship small but dense packages, USPS^® Priority Cubic is the best rate

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 0.5 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 Pricing.

Small volume shippers can get access even if they don’t ship 50,000 packages per year

Even small shippers who ship only a few packages can gain access to the USPS Cubic rates if they use a product like FP Parcel Shipping. If you use an online shipping application, chances are you automatically qualify for Commercial Pricing and USPS^® cubic.

FP Parcel Shipping

How to calculate your parcel for cubic pricing

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.

Examples of USPS^® Priority Cubic packages

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.

FP Parcel Shipping Priority Mail Cubic Rates

Cubic Ft. Range (up to)

Zone

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

Zone 1

$7.00

Zone 2

$7.01

$7.13

$7.20

Zone 3

$7.05

$7.15

$7.20

Zone 4

$7.15

$7.18

$7.20

$7.23

$7.59

Zone 5

$8.18

$8.82

$9.59

$12.38

$13.89

Zone 6

$8.79

$9.94

$13.74

$16.41

$18.32

Zone 7

$10.07

$11.97

$15.48

$19.31

$22.97

Zone 8

$10.85

$13.17

$18.45

$22.48

$26.76

Zone 9

$20.42

$27.59

$37.43

$46.99

$56.29

Cubic Ft. Range (up to)

0.10

Zone 1

$7.00

Zone 2

$7.01

Zone 3

$7.05

Zone 4

$7.15

Zone 5

$8.18

Zone 6

$8.79

Zone 7

$10.07

Zone 8

$10.85

Zone 9

$20.42

0.20

Zone 1

$7.00

Zone 2

$7.13

Zone 3

$7.15

Zone 4

$7.18

Zone 5

$8.82

Zone 6

$9.94

Zone 7

$11.97

Zone 8

$13.17

Zone 9

$27.59

0.30

Zone 1

$7.00

Zone 2

$7.20

Zone 3

$7.20

Zone 4

$7.20

Zone 5

$9.59

Zone 6

$13.74

Zone 7

$15.48

Zone 8

$18.45

Zone 9

$37.43

0.40

Zone 1

$7.00

Zone 2

$7.20

Zone 3

$7.20

Zone 4

$7.23

Zone 5

$12.38

Zone 6

$16.41

Zone 7

$19.31

Zone 8

$22.48

Zone 9

$46.99

0.50

Zone 1

$7.00

Zone 2

$7.20

Zone 3

$7.20

Zone 4

$7.59

Zone 5

$13.89

Zone 6

$18.32

Zone 7

$22.97

Zone 8

$26.76

Zone 9

$56.29

Content has been updated from its originally published version on 03/28/2022

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Published at: 05/16/2023

Lucas Bingham

Lucas Bingham is the Product and Business Development Specialist at FP Mailing Solutions. He has been with FP since 2017 and spends the bulk of his time working on FP’s digital solutions. When not at work Lucas enjoys being outside and spending time with his wife and two puppies, Clark and Nova.