Priority Mail Fact Sheet (2024)

Priority Mail items are First-Class Mail items weighing more than 13 ounces and, at the mailer’s option, any other material (including First-Class Mail items) weighing 13 ounces or less.

• The weight limit for Priority Mail items is 70 lbs.
• The maximum size for Priority Mail items is 108 inches in combined length and girth (the length of the longest side, plus the distance around its thickest part).
• The Priority Mail Flat-Rate Box is priced at $8.95, regardless of weight, contents, or distance traveled. The Priority Mail Flat-Rate Envelope is priced at $4.60 — the same as the (unzoned) 1-pound rate.

An overview of Priority Mail dimensional-weight and balloon-rate pricing is provided below to help you under­stand the changes and be prepared to discuss them with customers.

Priority Mail Dimensional-Weight Pricing

Dimensional-weight pricing is based on the cubic capacity of a package rather than on weight. It converts the cubic size of a mailpiece into a dimensional weight. If a large package is relatively light and addressed for delivery to Zones 5–8, it could be charged as a heavier-weight item. Dimensional-weight pricing aligns our Priority Mail prices with the costs we incur for shipping these items by air. It is based on a standard issued by the International Air Trans­port Associations (IATA). Other commercial carriers use this standard to determine prices for packages shipped by air.

• Remind customers to practice “right-size shipping” when preparing their items for mailing. See the article titled “Holiday Mailing Tips and Reminders” on page 10 in this issue of the Postal Bulletin.
• No Priority Mail item will ever be subject to both dimensional-weight and balloon-rate pricing.
• Complimentary Priority Mail packaging — which is available for order online, by telephone (800-222-1811), and at Post Offices — is never subject to dimensional-weight pricing.

Priority Mail Balloon-Rate Pricing

Balloon-rate pricing applies to Priority Mail packages (addressed for delivery to local and Zones 1–4 only) mea­suring more than 84 inches in combined length and girth and weighing less than 20 pounds. These packages are charged the 20-pound balloon rate.

• The balloon rate is limited to local and Zones 1–4 only, to reflect the costs of handling and transporting large parcels via surface transportation.
• No Priority Mail item will ever be subject to both dimensional-weight and balloon-rate pricing.

Priority Mail Quick Tips

• Because the size of the box, rather than just the weight, affects postage prices, remind customers to practice “right-size” shipping (see page 10 in this issue of the Postal Bulletin) and select mailing con­tainers that are close in size to the item(s) being shipped.
• It is possible that a Priority Mail package subject to dimensional-weight pricing due to its size and desti­nation address may cost more to mail than an item of the same size/weight shipped to an international destination using Priority Mail International service. This is because dimensional-weight pricing does not apply to Priority Mail International service.
• Use the Smart Mat and a ruler to help determine if an item is subject to dimensional-weight pricing. (For instructions on using the Smart Mat, see the article titled “Attention to Dimension: Priority Mail Pricing — A Reminder for Retail Employees” on page 21 in this issue of the Postal Bulletin.) POS ONE and IRT will perform the calculations for dimensional-weight pricing.
• Manual offices with an ACE computer should use the Postal Explorer^® CD-ROM to perform the neces­sary dimensional-weight pricing calculations.
• Districts with manual offices that do not have an elec­tronic scale or an ACE computer should provide those offices with the Dimensional Weight Pricing Worksheet and a rate chart. The Worksheet appearson the Retail Operations Web page at http://blue. usps.gov/delret/L4RetOper_Price_Change_Resources_2007.htm; under the heading “Tools,” click on Dimensional Weight Calculations and Worksheet (Revised).
• Customers can also perform dimensional-weight calculations on the Rate Calculator available at www.usps.com/tools/calculatepostage/welcome.htm.
• If the dimensional weight exceeds 70 pounds, the appropriate maximum 70-pound rate is assessed.
• For more information on the May 14, 2007, changes, see the Retail Operations Web page at http://blue.usps.gov/delret/L3RetOper.htm — it contains standard operating procedures and other helpful information to assist you. Under the heading “Manager’s Link,” click on Rate Change Resources for Retail Operations.