Checking Shipment Size and Weight

• If your package weighs more than 55 lbs, there may be an added fee for heavy or large packages. For more information, go to Costs and Rates.
• Remember, if it weighs more than 150 lbs, your package is considered freight. Click here to calculate how much it will cost to ship it.

• First things first—you need to pack your items in a sturdy box. If you don’t have one, you can order supplies online.
• Wrap items separately and use cushioning material. Get packaging tips.
• Keep in mind there are additional rules for special-care and prohibited items.
• Seal your box with heavy-duty tape (preferably reinforced), by applying three strips to both the top and bottom of the box, so that the middle seam and the two edge seams are sealed.
• You’ll need to know the dimensions and weight of your box. Keep them handy when you create a shipment.

• You must attach a heavy package sticker to all your packages that weigh more than 55 lbs.
• Apply the bright yellow UPS heavy package sticker to your package to the right of the address label for maximum visibility.
• Write the weight of your package in the white area on the label.
• Using highly visible heavy package stickers allows UPS to give your heavy packages the special attention and handling that they need and deserve. The stickers alert our employees and your customers that special care should be taken to safely handle these packages.
• You can get heavy package stickers by going to our Order Supplies page.

Packages can be up to 165 inches in length and girth combined.

To accurately determine length and girth, use the formula: Length + 2x Width + 2x Height

Remember, the longest side of your package will be your length.

Measure irregularly shaped packages as if they were in a rectangular box. Measure the length, width and height of the theoretical package from its extreme points to determine the package’s dimensions.

The actual weight is the package weight rounded up to the next pound.

Use a scale to determine the weight of the package. Round any fraction to the next pound.

Compare the package's actual weight to its dimensional weight. The greater of the two is the billable weight and should be used to calculate the rate. For multiple-package shipments, total the billable weight of all packages in the shipment.

Refer to the Determine the Weight and Size section of the Rate and Service Guide.

Dimensional weight reflects package density, which is the amount of space a package occupies compared to its actual weight. Dimensional weight may apply to all UPS domestic and international package services.

Determine the package measurement in inches. For each measurement, start at the longest point, rounding each measurement to the nearest whole number.

Multiply the package length (longest side of the package) by the width by the height. The result is the cubic size in inches.

Divide the cubic size in inches by the divisor. Increase any fraction to the next round number.

Compare the package's actual weight to its dimensional weight. The greater of the two is the billable weight and should be used to calculate the rate.

We have freight shipping services to get your heavy shipments exactly where they need to go. Click here to calculate how much it will cost.

Billable weight is the weight used to calculate the rate. The billable weight will be the greater of the dimensional weight, actual weight, and minimum billable weight. The minimum billable shipment weight is 90 lbs.

To determine billable weight:

Step 1. Determine actual weight. Actual weight is the weight of the items on the pallet and the weight of the pallet rounded up to the next round number.

• Use a scale to determine the weight. Round any fraction to the next round number.

Step 2. Determine dimensional weight. Dimensional weight reflects pallet density, which is the amount of space a pallet occupies in relation to its actual weight. Dimensional weight may apply to all UPS international parcel services.

• Determine the pallet dimensions in inches. For each dimension, measure at the longest point, rounding each measurement to the nearest whole number (e.g., 1.00 to 1.49 will be considered 1, and 1.50 to 1.99 will be considered 2).
• Multiply the pallet length by the width by the height. The result is the cubic size in inches.
• For import and export shipments, divide the cubic size by the divisor to determine the dimensional weight. Increase any fraction to the next round number.

Step 3. Determine billable weight.

• Compare the pallet's actual weight to its dimensional weight and minimum billable weight. The greater of the three is the billable weight and should be used to calculate the rate. For multiple-pallet shipments, the minimum billable shipment weight is 151 lbs.