Avoiding Fed Ex overage charges

I know Ewasted posted this somewhere at some time and I remember reading it. Unfortunately I didn't quite memorize it. I have done a general search using the advanced search function. Several times. I also searched through his buyer thread back when it was around 42 pages long and could not find it, even using the "find" function in my browser. I'm almost 100% positive he used the term "overage" to describe the extra charge and that was the main keyword I was using in my searches.

So I have to ask. I know what I want to know, but am struggling to come up with the right words to describe what I'm trying to figure out. So I'll do my best.

When it comes to box sizes, Fed Ex will charge an overage if the box is too big for its weight classification. This is what I recall from the post I can't find. But what I don't know is the box size maximum I can use to avoid that extra charge. I plan to pick up a box at Walmart that is 18x18x24 but don't know if that would result in an overage.

Does anyone know what the size limit is for the 65-70 lb maximum weight classification?

I thinks it's more about what the box is rated for and it should be on a stamp usually found on the bottom of the box. I use Heavy Duty Medium Size from Home Depot and I think they are rated for 80 pounds. They are approximately 18 x 18 x 18.

Corrugated fiberboard - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thanks, KZ.

I know about the box weight ratings listed on the bottom of the box. I do know what corrugated cardboard is.

But I don't know what Fed Ex's size limits are for certain weight categories, before they tack on extra charges. That's what I'm trying to find out.

Sorry BG...wasn't trying challenge your intelligence by giving you the definition of corrugated cardboard from Wiki, but rather provide the info about how they figure out how many pounds the box is rated for. All I know is that anything over 70 pounds and the price goes up at least $10.

No problem KZ! I was wondering why you were pointing me to the Wiki page for cardboard.

Anyway, I got the answer straight from the CFCS. 18x18x24 should be fine and not result in any oversize charges, but anything larger than that might.

This may have been the post you were looking for.

But, now I see you have the answer, anywho ;-)

I know the post office is more than 80 inches in total girth.

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Originally Posted by PartTimeScrapper

I know the post office is more than 80 inches in total girth.

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What is the formula for measuring "girth"? No offense PTS but that sounds like typical post office ambiguity.
I love the mail carrier, just not who they work for.

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Originally Posted by BRASSCATCHER

What is the formula for measuring "girth"? No offense PTS but that sounds like typical post office ambiguity.
I love the mail carrier, just not who they work for.

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Isn't that the total inches around it??

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Originally Posted by BroJer

This may have been the post you were looking for.

But, now I see you have the answer, anywho ;-)

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Yep, that was exactly the post I was looking for. But I would never guess the right keywords in a million years. Thanks for finding it. Going to print that out and keep it in my notebook.

As it turns out, unfortunately, I can't use the 18x18x24 box. Filling it up will put it over 70 lbs. Ugh!

If you have reached your target weight and still have room in the box make a cut in each corner down to the level of your boards or whatever, fold the flaps over and cut off the excess, then seal the top as you would normally.

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Originally Posted by billygoat

No problem KZ! I was wondering why you were pointing me to the Wiki page for cardboard.

Anyway, I got the answer straight from the CFCS. 18x18x24 should be fine and not result in any oversize charges, but anything larger than that might.

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thank you cause ive ben struggeling with this for days now.. I couldn't fill the 18x18x24 to the top for 64 lbs so I added some chunked styro... thought I should go see if the 20x20 box would be better.. with different size motherboards its a hard puzzle to pack them good I guess unless you spent hours making it better.

I think people have dimensional weight misunderstood.

Fedex will use the higher of actual weight or dimensional weight for calculating shipping charges. See their calculator here FedEx - Dimensional weight calculator

So, if I have an 18x18x20 box that weighs 69 pounds, I will pay for 69 pounds. But if I have the same size box and it only weighs 30 pounds I will be charged for shipping the dimensional weight of 47 pounds.

Big, light packages take up room - small, heavy packages take up weight. Their trucks and planes only have so much space and can only carry so much - so they charge you accordingly (does your package take up more weight or more space?).

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Originally Posted by KzScrapper

If you have reached your target weight and still have room in the box make a cut in each corner down to the level of your boards or whatever, fold the flaps over and cut off the excess, then seal the top as you would normally.

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yes! I lightly score the inside of the box at the level where I plan to fold down my new flaps

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Originally Posted by billygoat

Yep, that was exactly the post I was looking for. But I would never guess the right keywords in a million years. Thanks for finding it. Going to print that out and keep it in my notebook

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Despite my pointing it out more than once, the search function is not much help if you don't know what the term is you are looking for. People have asked questions and the answer will be "use the search function" as if the individual didn't try that.

I'm glad that BroJer was able to help you with the search.


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I do have a question related to searching. The link provided by BroJer takes you to the scrap room which is off limits to non members. Can non members see it with a search? Just wondering if that is part of the disconnect.

Bill

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Originally Posted by waredu

I think people have dimensional weight misunderstood.

Fedex will use the higher of actual weight or dimensional weight for calculating shipping charges. See their calculator here [fedex.com/be/tools/dimweight]FedEx - Dimensional weight calculator[/url]

So, if I have an 18x18x20 box that weighs 69 pounds, I will pay for 69 pounds. But if I have the same size box and it only weighs 30 pounds I will be charged for shipping the dimensional weight of 47 pounds.

Big, light packages take up room - small, heavy packages take up weight. Their trucks and planes only have so much space and can only carry so much - so they charge you accordingly (does your package take up more weight or more space?).

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waredu

Your dimensional calculations are right for international shipments. The divisor for domestic ground and express is slightly higher at 166. So to calculate dimensional weight you multiply L x W x H and divide by 166. This will give you the dimensional weight that your box will be charged. For international shipments the same formula applies but you divide by 139 rather than 166. So for a 18x18x20 box, the dimensional weight would be rated at 40 lbs not 47 lbs.

If the box is less than 5,184 cubic inches dimensional weight does not apply and the package will rate at actual weight. Dimensional weight applies as soon as the cubic inches exceed 5,184. In 2015 however this will change and FedEx will start applying dimensional weight to every package even if it is under 5,184 cubic inches.

If you poke around the fedex site enough, you should be able to find a pdf with the info you want. I looked it up about a year ago. it was something to do with adding the length, width, and height.

I read online somewhere that you can avoid FedEx overcharges by paying upfront in cash. I've never actually tried it though.

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Originally Posted by Evan

I read online somewhere that you can avoid FedEx overcharges by paying upfront in cash. I've never actually tried it though.

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Evan

By paying upfront in cash you will be overpaying drastically for your shipments. If you go into a UPS store or a FedEx Office the rates they use are different than if you have an account with UPS or FedEx. In most cases the rates are almost 30% higher than if you were to open your own account with no discounts. There are 3 different types of rates that UPS and FedEx use.

- Retail Rates (UPS store and FedEx Office)
- Daily Shipper Rate (anybody can set up an account online)
- Negotiated Rates (discounts off of the daily shipper rate)

It is worth it use your account to ship. Plus UPS and FedEx can either return the package to sender or hold the package for funds if there are excessive overages that need to be collected.

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Originally Posted by SuppliesGuy

Evan

By paying upfront in cash you will be overpaying drastically for your shipments. If you go into a UPS store or a FedEx Office the rates they use are different than if you have an account with UPS or FedEx. In most cases the rates are almost 30% higher than if you were to open your own account with no discounts. There are 3 different types of rates that UPS and FedEx use.

- Retail Rates (UPS store and FedEx Office)
- Daily Shipper Rate (anybody can set up an account online)
- Negotiated Rates (discounts off of the daily shipper rate)

It is worth it use your account to ship. Plus UPS and FedEx can either return the package to sender or hold the package for funds if there are excessive overages that need to be collected.

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Good to know. Has anyone here messed around with FedEx SmartPost or USP SurePost. I heard that those services are sucky, but they are supposed to be cheap.

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Originally Posted by Evan

Good to know. Has anyone here messed around with FedEx SmartPost or USP SurePost. I heard that those services are sucky, but they are supposed to be cheap.

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SmartPost and SurePost are considered last mile delivery services. FedEx and UPS will pickup the package and drop it off at the USPS BMEU (Bulk Mail Entry Unit). USPS delivers it from there. It is a 7-10 day delivery service. There prices are cheaper when you are shipping lighter weights around 1-5 lbs. The down side is there is usually a minimum of 100 packages per day to qualify. Unless you are shipping lightweight packages in quantity those services are not worth it.

Google " Fedex, girth " and the PDF should be the second link.