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Weights and Sizes

If your mailpiece isn’t a postcard, letter, or a flat (large envelope), then it’s a parcel. You may be surprised to find out that “parcels” are not just big boxes. Many mailers send small parcels in all classes of mail. Parcels offer some of the best value for your postage dollars.

Parcel Dimensions

Generally, commercial parcels must measure:

• At least 3 inches high x 6 inches long x 1/4 inch thick.
• Except for Standard Post and Parcel Select, no mail piece may measure more than 108 inches in length and girth combined. Length is the measurement of the longest dimension and girth is the distance around the thickest part (perpendicular to the length). Maximum weight is 70 pounds.

Some pointers to remember:

• Regardless of how much your shipment costs, if it is boxed up inside a box with Priority or Priority Express markings, you must pay for those rates instead of the parcel rates. 
• For mail that is processed by WOU Mail Services, any mail piece that is marked “Fragile” or “Do Not Bend” or something similar will be processed as parcels no matter how large they are or how much they weigh (this includes small letters). These markings communicate to the post office that the shipment should not be put through the automated machinery because it would break the contents; so a surcharge must be collected for “special handling”.