According to a notice published in the Federal Register last week, this change is expected to take effect on 12/7. At that time, USPS will apply dimension declaration requirements to all packages, including smaller ones, moving beyond the current threshold for parcels exceeding one cubic foot (approximately 28,3 liters) or 22 inches (approximately 56 cm) in length.

Currently, services such as priority mail, priority mail express, usps ground advantage, and parcel select only require accurate dimension declarations if the package exceeds a specific threshold. Shipments failing to meet these requirements incur a dimension non-compliance fee of USD 1,5 per package.

Under the new proposal, the postal service will eliminate the dimension threshold entirely. This means all packages, regardless of size, utilizing these services must fully declare their length, width, and height on the shipping label. The only exceptions are flat rate packages and items returned via USPS.

"Failure to comply with this expanded requirement will continue to result in packages being assessed a dimension non-compliance fee", the USPS stated in its announcement.

The proposal is currently open for public comment until 9/2.

Carlos Barbosa, vice president of e-commerce solutions at ePost Global, noted that the actual impact of the new regulation remains unclear. This is because many large shipping companies already collect comprehensive dimension data for all packages. However, small businesses printing shipping labels from intermediary platforms, without dedicated systems or partners for package measurement, are most vulnerable to the changes.

"This regulation will affect anyone who prints their own labels and directly brings packages to USPS without measuring dimensions", Barbosa commented.

Some shippers may opt to shift their volume to carriers that do not require dimension measurement or partner with logistics providers equipped to handle this task. Other businesses might be compelled to adjust their internal processes to incorporate dimension measurement, thereby avoiding potential fees.

Fees related to package dimensions have already placed significant pressure on shipping costs. Previously, both UPS and FedEx adjusted their dimension calculation methods, rounding up all fractional measurements. This change risked increasing delivery costs even when actual package dimensions remained constant.

By Anh Duong (via Supply Chain Dive)