USPS Priority Mail Changes
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TellicoTurning
Member
This is "volume" weight.. we used it in both domestic and international forwarding with the airlines.. (I used to be a member of an IATA forwarding company) If I remember my conversions a 12 x 12 x 12 in package is deemed to be equivalent to 8.9 lbs domestically.. the conversion faxtor is 194..
Internationally I think the conversion factor is 166.. so the same package would be 10.4 lbs usually counted as 10 lbs or 4.5 kilograms.
I didn't see this letter and can't open the link posted.. will the rates remain the same, only be applied to actual weight or "volumne" weight whichever is greater?
Internationally I think the conversion factor is 166.. so the same package would be 10.4 lbs usually counted as 10 lbs or 4.5 kilograms.
I didn't see this letter and can't open the link posted.. will the rates remain the same, only be applied to actual weight or "volumne" weight whichever is greater?
Randy_
Member
Well, that certainly answers all of my questions. Now how much is it going to cost to ship that pen, again??
Pipes
Member
Why couldn't they just raise everthing like a buck and be done with it [
!]
!]
Rifleman1776
Member
Originally posted by Pipes
<br />Why couldn't they just raise everthing like a buck and be done with it [
Pipes, they did it that way because they are bureaucrats. And that is how bureaucrats maintain control over the citizens. [}
] They make the rules incomprehensible and we just cave in because we have no choice. [!]
KenV
Member
It is a reflection that these mailings are going via airplane and space is valuable. Be glad that flat rate shipping options will remain. Smarter packaging usually results from shippers paying more attention to size and weight - Either way, the cost to mail a pen will still be minimal. The density of wood and other turning materials will still be high. High speed steel is not light either.
Frank -- it is not bureaucrats as much as it is all the thise auditors and analysists with MBAs that need to make a "corporate" mark.
Frank -- it is not bureaucrats as much as it is all the thise auditors and analysists with MBAs that need to make a "corporate" mark.
awinegar17175442
Member
i own my own business nothing to do with pens i wish it did. but i find that shipping with dhl is cheaper for me than using priority mail just changed a month ago. yes i know it depends on volume, i thought i would throw it out there.
Mikey
Member
Having sat through 2 hours of a Pitney Bowes presentation and explanation on the new mailing fees and structures, I can say that a lot of you may be sending out stuff without enough postage.
There are now classes for regular first class letters, then flats, and Parcel Post. Un machinable pieces will be charged even more, so we will all need to be careful how we send stuff. For example, if you slide a pen into a bubble mailer, you will be charged parcel rate because it cannot be run through the machine. (4oz used to be $1.11, but will now cost you $1.64) Of course, Priority mail has added a new zone 3 which will cost us more unless you gl flat rate. I would also suspect that the flat rate envelopes will have stricter rules and that our usual mailing method will be crushed. Heck, even a CD slid into a 6x9 envelope will have to be sent at the Parcel Post rate because it does not meet machineable characteristics.[]
There are now classes for regular first class letters, then flats, and Parcel Post. Un machinable pieces will be charged even more, so we will all need to be careful how we send stuff. For example, if you slide a pen into a bubble mailer, you will be charged parcel rate because it cannot be run through the machine. (4oz used to be $1.11, but will now cost you $1.64) Of course, Priority mail has added a new zone 3 which will cost us more unless you gl flat rate. I would also suspect that the flat rate envelopes will have stricter rules and that our usual mailing method will be crushed. Heck, even a CD slid into a 6x9 envelope will have to be sent at the Parcel Post rate because it does not meet machineable characteristics.[
]
Randy_
Member
Mikey: I've seen the term "machinable" before on the USPS site; but never quite understood what it meant. Can you explain?? Thanks.
whatwoodido
Member
Keep in mind that UPS and Fed Ex also charge based on the size of the package. The Postal Service is just using the same process used by most other parcel shippers. Also keep in mind that volume will not effect cost until the package exceeds 1 cubic foot. For example, 12X12X12 24X12X6 24X24X3. A flat rate box is well below a Cubic Foot.
Drew
Drew
Mikey
Member
I'll give it a shot.
A machinable piece has certain characteristics to it which will alloew it to go through the automatic sorters and coders that the post office uses.
As an example, a standard #10 envelope has 2 long sides and 2 short sides. the machines optical system orients the long sides horizontal so that an address can be read and the barcode can be placed on the mailing. If an envelope was square or close to square, the machine does not know which way to orient the piece, so someone does that by hand. This would be considered not machinable. Also, items that are too thin would get kicked out.
Some things that make an item not machinable:
1) Has an aspect ratio (length divided by height) of <1.3 or >2.5 is not machinable
2) if a letter is poly bagged, poly wrapped, or enclosed in any plastic material.
3) first class letters weighing more than 3.5 ounces (they will go as flats or parcel post)
4) items that are too thin -measures more than 4 1/4" high or 6" long and thickness is less than .009 inch. (folded paper with a stamp would be bad)
5) first class letters having a non machinable characteristic will be charged a $.17 surcharge (or it could be classified as something else, possibly costing $1 or more extra)
6) is ridgid or contains odd shape contents (pencils, pens, keys, coins etc)
7) Has clasps, strings, buttons, or similar cosure devices. (don't use those envelopes with metal close tabs that you bend over)
8)self mailers with folded edges perpendicular to the address and not folded and secured (little tape dots -tabbed)
9)any booklets with abound edge along the long edge that do not have pages secured (tabbed)
10 flats that are too ridgid -there is actually a test you can do that requires you bend an envelope a certain way to test.
Basically, any letters must be rectangular, uniform in thickness, and flexible.
Thick letters will be treated as flats and require more postage. Flats must be flexible or else that will be charged the Parcel Post rates.
One big way to avoid some charges is by using standard mail. (you can look up the def.)
I sent out a box yesterday that cost $2.31. That rate will go up to $2.49 should I have to send the same thing again. If it would have weighed less, the difference in cost would be more significant. (1 oz letter cost $.41 next month, mailing a 1oz CD would cost $1.13)
If you have something specific, I could probably help better. I know I mentioned Priority in the post before, but the breakout of zone 3 could add as much as $1 to packages and that also means all other zones increase even more.
A machinable piece has certain characteristics to it which will alloew it to go through the automatic sorters and coders that the post office uses.
As an example, a standard #10 envelope has 2 long sides and 2 short sides. the machines optical system orients the long sides horizontal so that an address can be read and the barcode can be placed on the mailing. If an envelope was square or close to square, the machine does not know which way to orient the piece, so someone does that by hand. This would be considered not machinable. Also, items that are too thin would get kicked out.
Some things that make an item not machinable:
1) Has an aspect ratio (length divided by height) of <1.3 or >2.5 is not machinable
2) if a letter is poly bagged, poly wrapped, or enclosed in any plastic material.
3) first class letters weighing more than 3.5 ounces (they will go as flats or parcel post)
4) items that are too thin -measures more than 4 1/4" high or 6" long and thickness is less than .009 inch. (folded paper with a stamp would be bad)
5) first class letters having a non machinable characteristic will be charged a $.17 surcharge (or it could be classified as something else, possibly costing $1 or more extra)
6) is ridgid or contains odd shape contents (pencils, pens, keys, coins etc)
7) Has clasps, strings, buttons, or similar cosure devices. (don't use those envelopes with metal close tabs that you bend over)
8)self mailers with folded edges perpendicular to the address and not folded and secured (little tape dots -tabbed)
9)any booklets with abound edge along the long edge that do not have pages secured (tabbed)
10 flats that are too ridgid -there is actually a test you can do that requires you bend an envelope a certain way to test.
Basically, any letters must be rectangular, uniform in thickness, and flexible.
Thick letters will be treated as flats and require more postage. Flats must be flexible or else that will be charged the Parcel Post rates.
One big way to avoid some charges is by using standard mail. (you can look up the def.)
I sent out a box yesterday that cost $2.31. That rate will go up to $2.49 should I have to send the same thing again. If it would have weighed less, the difference in cost would be more significant. (1 oz letter cost $.41 next month, mailing a 1oz CD would cost $1.13)
If you have something specific, I could probably help better. I know I mentioned Priority in the post before, but the breakout of zone 3 could add as much as $1 to packages and that also means all other zones increase even more.
Randy_
Member
Thanks, Mikey. That helps a lot!![^]
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