Does FedEx charge by size or weight?
April 7, 2023 •Chase Flashman
So you're ready to send out your package via FedEx. But you're not sure whether you'll be charged by the box size or the weight of the package. The short answer is that FedEx charges by size AND weight. Read on to find out more about parcel shipping costs.
Does FedEx Charge by Size or Weight?
FedEx considers both the size and weight of your package when determining how much to charge you to ship it. However, those two are only some of the factors it considers. Your FedEx rates also depend on your chosen service, delivery times, shipping distance, and additional services.
How FedEx Uses Size and Weight To Determine Shipping Rates
The weight of a package is one of the most important pricing factors for FedEx since it directly affects the carrier's operation and shipping costs; the heavier a package is, the more energy (fuel) needed to carry it from the source to the destination.
Dimensional Weight vs Actual Weight
In most cases, the actual weight of a package, its weight on a scale, is used to determine shipping rates with prices starting at 1 pound up to 150 pounds, with 1-pound increments.
Sometimes, however, pricing needs to be based on the density of a package rather than its actual weight. This kind of density-based pricing uses a measure known as dimensional (DIM) weight to determine rates rather than the actual weight.
You see, if a shipping truck is filled with many large but half-full packages, FedEx will have to make more trips than if the packages were filled to the brim. By using dimensional weight, FedEx can take into account the empty spaces in the boxes and therefore avoid losing money. DIM weight pricing also encourages shippers to pack their items tightly to avoid paying higher rates than needed.
How Dimensional Weight Is Calculated
To calculate your FedEx dimensional weight:
Measure your package's length, width, and height in inches. Round each measurement to the nearest whole inch.
Multiply the length by the width by the height. The resulting figure is the cubic size of your package.
Dividing the cubic size by 139. Round up the result to the nearest whole pound to find your package's dimensional weight in pounds.
You can also use centimeters instead of inches and kilograms instead of pounds.
You can also use the FedEx dimensional weight calculator.
Dimensional Weight vs Rated Weight vs Actual Weight
FedEx will calculate the actual weight and dimensional weight of each package. Prices will be based on whichever of the two is higher. The weight on which shipping rates are based is the rated weight.
What Does FedEx Consider an Oversized Box?
The dimensions of your package determine whether it is classified as oversized or not.
FedEx U.S. Ground and Express services apply an oversized charge for shipping packages with a girth of more than 130 inches.
At What Weight Does FedEx Charge Extra?
Shipments over a certain weight are charged freight rates instead of standard package rates. Packages that meet or exceed at least one of the following criteria are considered freight by FedEx:
• Weight heavier than 150 lbs.
• Dimensions with a combined length and girth of more than 165 inches.
Also, additional handling surcharges may apply depending on your package's weight.
How To Calculate Shipping Cost per Item
To calculate your FedEx shipping cost per item, follow the following steps:
1. Determine actual weight and dimensional weight. Weigh your package on a scale to get its actual weight. Then use the package's length, width, and height to determine its dimensional weight. Use whichever is higher as your rated weight.
2. Determine your shipping zones. Enter your source and destination zip codes in the FedEx Find Zones tool to get accurate shipping zones.
3. Use the rated weight and zone to check your rate in the FedEx Standard Rates Guide. You can also get your rates by entering your shipment details in the FedEx shipping cost calculator.
In conclusion, when it comes to shipping with FedEx, the answer to whether they charge by size or weight is: it depends. Sometimes FedEx uses actual weight to price shipments. Other times they will use a dimensional weight pricing system that considers a package's size and weight. Charges are based on whichever is higher.
By understanding how FedEx's pricing system works, you can package and ship your items in a way that saves you money.
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Frequently Asked Questions About FedEx Shipping Rates
What is DIM weight pricing and when does it apply?
Dimensional (DIM) weight is a density-based pricing method that calculates a package's billable weight from its volume rather than its actual scale weight. Carriers use it when a package is large but light, so the space it occupies in a truck is priced accordingly. Rates are based on whichever is higher between actual weight and dimensional weight.
How do you calculate a package's cubic size for carrier billing?
Multiply the package's length by width by height in inches to get the cubic size, then divide by 139 and round up to the nearest whole pound to find the dimensional weight. FedEx compares this figure against the actual weight and bills at whichever is higher.
What is the maximum weight FedEx ships as a standard package?
FedEx ships standard packages up to 150 pounds; shipments exceeding 150 pounds are rated as freight rather than parcels. Freight shipments are subject to freight rates instead of standard package pricing.
When does FedEx classify a shipment as freight?
FedEx classifies a shipment as freight when it weighs more than 150 pounds or when its combined length and girth exceeds 165 inches. Either condition alone is sufficient to trigger freight classification and freight-rate billing.
What is rated weight on a parcel shipment?
Rated weight is the billable weight a carrier uses to calculate shipping charges: the higher of actual scale weight or dimensional weight. For bulky, lightweight packages, dimensional weight exceeds actual weight and becomes the rated weight.