New HAZMAT fees — handling & noncompliance
- HAZMAT handling fee: $7.50/package — applies to Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express when HAZMAT is declared. This does not apply to Ground Advantage.
- HAZMAT noncompliance fee: $50.00/package — applies across ALL USPS competitive services if HAZMAT is detected but was not declared or is improperly labeled.
Prohibited & Restricted Items — What's Changing
- Prohibited (never shippable): Explosives, poison gas, radioactive materials, mercury devices, magnetized materials, and alcoholic beverages.
- Restricted (shippable with proper declaration): Lithium batteries, perfume/fragrances, aerosol cans, flammable liquids (nail polish, hand sanitizer), corrosives, dry ice, and infectious substances — each requires specific packaging and labeling per USPS guidelines.
For full guidelines: USPS Publication 52 | HazMat Items Search Tool
Ensure that HAZMAT is accurately declared during label creation and that the appropriate sticker is applied. Do not include a HAZMAT sticker if your shipment does not contain HAZMAT.
Dimensions requirements
USPS is expanding its requirement that commercial parcel shipments include accurate dimensions (length, width, and height) in the shipment manifest. Dimensions must be provided for all applicable USPS commercial services: Ground Advantage, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, Parcel Select.
The $3.00 Dimension Noncompliance Fee applies to parcels over 1 cubic foot or longer than 22 inches with missing or inaccurate dimensions.
Dimensional weight changes
USPS is lowering the divisor used to calculate dimensional (DIM) weight for packages exceeding 1 cubic foot (length × width × height ≥ 1,728 in³) from 166 to 139. Each dimension is rounded up to the nearest whole inch before calculation.
DIM weight = (Length × Width × Height) ÷ 139
Billable weight is determined by whichever is greater: actual weight or DIM weight.
Applies to: Ground Advantage, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, Parcel Select.
Oversize/Overweight Item Fees:
The Postal Service™ maximum mailpiece weight limit is 70 pounds, and the maximum dimension (length plus girth) is 130 inches. Any item exceeding either of those measurements is nonmailable. If found in the postal network, the item either: - Must be secured for pick-up by the mailer or addressee, who will be charged the oversize/overweight item fee of $200.
- No fee is charged if the overweight/oversize item is discovered and picked up at the same facility where it was entered.
- Or unless authorized, it will be considered abandoned and disposed of at the discretion of the Postal Service if not paid for and picked up within 14 calendar days.