UPS and FedEx rang in the New Year with ground service rate changes based on dimensional weight. Dimensional weight shipping is not a new concept and is now being applied to smaller packages.

What is “dimensional weight” and how is it calculated?

Multiply the outside measurements of a box (length x width x height). Then divide the answer by the applicable UPS and FedEx dimensional factor (166 for domestic shipments or 139 for international). The result is the dimensional weight. A 12”-cube box measures 13”x 13”x 13” on the outside. Its dimensional weight for domestic shipping is 14 pounds. Even if the actual weight of the box is five pounds, the shipping rate is calculated using 14 pounds. If the box weighs more than 14 pounds, it ships at the actual weight.

See FedEx and UPS Dimensional Weight Change for 2015: Time to Measure the Cost, a blog post by Charles Moore of Parcel Logistics, for an excellent discussion about dimensional weight shipping.

USPS Priority Mail can be used effectively for domestic shipping of smaller items and for items with a value under $50. UPS and FedEx are typically more cost effective than Priority Mail for domestic ground shipping of 12”-cube boxes and larger, and for items with a value over $50.

Non-fragile items should be packed in the smallest box possible to accommodate the item without causing the box to bulge. A two-pound box of shoes measuring 13”x 11”x 5” should be packaged in a 14”x 12”x 6” box, not a 14”x 14”x 14” box. The domestic dimensional weight for the smaller box is seven pounds; the larger is 17 pounds. Fragile items require more protection (see Packaging Fine China and Crystal).

Shipping stores like Pak Mail pack items securely and cost effectively by choosing the appropriate box for each shipment. Pak Mail is authorized to ship with UPS, FedEx, USPS, and DHL. Pak Mail helps its customers choose the best shipping option for each situation.

Have you ever been to London? In March? Three weeks of visiting our son, riding the Tube, and seeing the sights… what fun! After an up-and-down-cold winter in Colorado, it was a pleasant surprise to hear birds singing, see flowers and trees blooming, and soak in the color green. Every plant imaginable was putting on a show! Spring fever hit me with a passion.

Jet lag took a few days and then out came the cleaning supplies. Mind you, my husband and I have already downsized (from a 1200-sq-ft house to a one-bedroom apartment to a 35-ft fifth wheel) so spring cleaning doesn’t take a lot of time. Yet I remember our first steps after our decision to sell the house and can empathize with anyone going through the process. Essentially I followed my own downsizing tips and the task became less daunting.

Now I’m anticipating springtime in Colorado… probably in May. That will lead to another round of cleaning caused by spring fever. It’s amazing what you can accumulate in a home on wheels.

daffodils and green grass

forsythia blooms

weeping willow

magnolia blossoms

farm in Wales, UK

It’s that time of year… summer is waning and students are heading off to school. College freshman and upper classmen alike are wondering what they should take with them. The list includes bedding, books, computers, toys, and sports equipment, to name a few. If the college doesn’t provide a “to-do” list, there are plenty of resources online – College Packing List and Dorm Room Checklist are just two of them. A list like one of these can help simplify the process of gathering belongings needed for the school year        .

Once all the items are collected, the next question is how to pack and ship them. Some simple steps to follow are:

1. Make a complete list of all items including the value of each.
2. Separate the fragile items from the non-fragile ones.
   – Don’t pack glassware and computer equipment wrapped in clothing or bedding.
3. Pack similar non-fragile items together for easy unpacking in the dorm or apartment.
   – Don’t make the boxes too heavy; you might have to carry them up a few flights.
   – Pack books in smaller boxes no larger that 16”x16”x16”.
   – Pack bedding or clothing in boxes that are easy to carry 18”x18”x18” or 20”x20”x20”.
4. Pack fragile items allowing for at least 2″ of protective packaging materials around all dimensions.
5. Decide whether you’ll move the boxes with the family car or ship them.
6. Check with the college about receiving and storing a shipment until the student arrives.
7. Ship with a reliable carrier with tracking and declared value coverage.

If you decide to ship, choose a professional packing and shipping store. They can assist with the packing, especially the fragile items, and help determine the most cost-effective shipping method. If the load is small (two or three boxes), UPS or FedEx ground service will probably do. If the shipment is larger (all items needed for a dorm room or small apartment), LTL freight on a pallet will most likely be more economical.

College student shipping – their stuff, that is – can be simple and easy. Get that part of the “leaving home” process out of the way and enjoy some time together before the big day.

Folks sell their treasures online for a myriad of reasons. Some finish their spring cleaning and sell the only-used-once exercise equipment. Others reach new life stages – babies grow up, empty nesters decide to downsize. Occasional sellers are inclined to list items on ebay or craigslist. Artists sell their creations directly from their studios or list them on Etsy or similar venues. No matter the reason for selling, the goal is to make money.

Pak Mail ships for online sellers, both online businesses and sporadic peddlers. Online business owners have learned – usually through trial and error – how to estimate shipping costs. The occasional seller may be caught unaware. She used the online venue’s shipping estimator, but may have used the dimensions of the item instead of the outer dimensions of the packaging. Here are some tips for the occasional seller using an online estimator:

• Accurately measure the item – length, width, height – rounding up to the next inch.
• Determine the packaging needed for the item.
  • Non-fragile items can ship in a box with inner dimensions the same as the item.
  • Fragile items must ship in a box that allows for at least 2 inches of protective packaging (bubble wrap and packing peanuts, not paper) around all dimensions.
  • Very fragile items, especially those with a high value, should be double-boxed.
• Weigh the item, including the shipping box and all packaging materials.
• Enter the outer dimensions of the final box and the final weight into the shipping estimator. Keep in mind that a box stamped on the bottom flap with 12”x12”x12” (inside dimensions) actually ships at 13”x13”x13” (outer dimensions rounded to the next full inch).
• Enter the value of the item. UPS and FedEx include $100 declared value coverage at no additional cost. Items must be properly packaged to receive carrier compensation in the event of a damage claim.
• Post your item for sale, making sure to account for the cost of shipping in your price.

If you don’t have time to do the packaging or the item is extremely fragile, odd-shaped, very large, or very heavy, consider using the services of a professional packing and shipping store. Get a quote for packing (possibly a crate or pallet) and shipping before posting the item online.

Eliminate shipping surprises and keep your profit!