USPS, FedEx, and UPS package types

Domestic shipping

Package sizes

The size and physical characteristics of your package determine the package type and service eligibility. When measuring, the length is the longest side of the package, and the girth is the distance around the two smallest sides.

Letter or envelope

A letter ranges between:

• Minimum: 5 inches long, 3+¹/₂ inches high, and 0.007 inches thick
• Maximum: 11+¹/₂ inches long, 6+¹/₈ inches high, and ¹/₄ inch thick

Machinable letters must be flexible and of uniform thickness or a non-machinable surcharge will apply when shipping with eBay Standard Envelope or First Class Mail. See USPS Physical Standards for Machinable Letters and Cards - opens in new window or tab for more details

Large envelope

A large envelope/flat ranges between:

• Minimum: 11+¹/₂ inches long, 6+¹/₈ inches high, and ¹/₄ inch thick
• Maximum: 15 inches long, 12 inches high, and ³/₄ inch thick

Large envelopes must be flexible and of uniform thickness or USPS will rate postage at the package rate. See USPS Physical Standards for Flats - opens in new window or tab for more details.

Package (or thick envelope)

• A package is a parcel (or box) less than 84 inches when you add the length plus girth 
• A thick envelope is a large envelope exceeding ³/₄ inch thickness
• Minimum package size:
  • USPS - 6 x 3 x ¼
  • FedEx - 7 x 4 x 2
  • UPS - 6 x 4 x ¾

Large package

USPS

USPS may apply additional charges if packages exceed certain size or shape limits, if dimensions are not accurately provided when shipping labels are being created, or if the packaging is irregular or nonconforming. These fees are in addition to standard postage costs and are applied to cover the extra handling required for these packages. These fees apply to Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage. Here are the types of nonstandard fees:

• Nonstandard Length fee is added for packages measuring between 22 inches and 30 inches, and packages greater than 30 inches
• Nonstandard Volume is added for packages with cubic volume exceeding 2 cubic feet (3,456 cubic inches)
• Dimensional Noncompliance fee applies when inaccurate or missing dimensions are provided when creating shipping labels

FedEx

Packages with dimensions exceeding 96 inches in length, or 130 inches if the length and girth is combined.

UPS

Packages with dimensions exceeding 96 inches in length, or 130 inches if the length and girth is combined. Minimum billable weight of 90lbs will be applied.

Tip
If you’re using eBay International Shipping, your package must meet specific dimension and weight requirements to be eligible. Learn more about our eBay International Shipping.

Irregular packages

If your shipment can’t be sorted with mail processing equipment because of its size, shape, content, or address legibility, additional handling charges may apply.

USPS

Select Irregular package if your package meets the criteria for Nonstandard Characteristics such as:

• Cylindrical tubes or rolls
• A can, or wooden or metal box
• A parcel containing more than 24 oz of liquid in glass containers, or 1 gallon or more of liquid in metal or plastic containers (see the USPS guidelines for Liquids - opens in new window or tab)
• Other (for example, if the contents may cause the parcel to roll or not maintain the integrity of the packaging during processing. See the USPS guidelines for packaging - opens in new window or tab and acceptable mailing containers - opens in new window or tab)

If your package meets the criteria above but it isn't declared as Nonstandard Characteristic, a noncompliance fee will be applied. Learn more about USPS Physical Standards for Parcels - opens in new window or tab.

FedEx

Select Irregular package if your package:

• Is not fully encased in an outer shipping container
• Is encased in an outer shipping container not made of corrugated fiberboard (cardboard) materials, including but not limited to metal, wood, canvas, leather, hard plastic, soft plastic (e.g., plastic bags), or expanded polystyrene foam (e.g., Styrofoam)
• Is encased in an outer shipping container covered in shrink wrap or stretch wrap
• Is encased in a soft-sided pack (e.g., courier packs, poly bags, and bubble mailers) that exceeds 18 inches along its longest side or 13 inches along its second-longest side or 5 inches in height
• Is round, cylindrical, or triangular in shape, including but not limited to mailing tubes, cans, buckets, barrels, tires, drums, or pails
• Is bound with metal, plastic, or cloth banding, or has wheels, casters, handles, or straps (e.g., a bicycle) (including packages where the outer surface area is loosely wrapped, or where the contents protrude outside the surface area) or could become entangled or cause damage to other packages or the FedEx sortation system

Learn more about FedEx additional handling charges - opens in new window or tab.

UPS

Select Irregular package if your package:

• Is not fully encased in a corrugated cardboard shipping container, including tires
• Has an outer shipping container not made of corrugated cardboard, including but not limited to canvas, leather, metal, wood, hard plastic, soft plastic (e.g., plastic bag) or expanded polystyrene foam (e.g., Styrofoam)
• Is encased in a soft-sided pack (e.g., poly bags and bubble mailers) that exceeds 18 inches along its longest side or 14 inches along its second-longest side or 6 inches in height
• Has an outer shipping container covered in shrink wrap or stretch wrap
• Is bound with metal, plastic or cloth banding, or that has wheels, casters, handles or straps (including packages where the outer surface area is loosely wrapped or where the contents protrude outside the container surface)
• Is cylindrical or triangular in shape, including but not limited to barrels, buckets, cans, drums, mailing tubes or pails
• Is routed through UPS’s irregular package sortation process, including but not limited to packages 1 inch or less in height
• Requires special handling, as determined by UPS in its sole discretion

Learn more about UPS additional handling charges - opens in new window or tab.