During the holiday mailing season, many offices will see an increase in package volume as customers mail their holiday gifts. This is also the first holiday season in which some large, light-weight Priority Mail packages may be subject to dimensional-weight pricing.
Below are important reminders about Priority Mail dimensional-weight pricing to keep in mind during the busy holiday mailing season.
Dimensional-weight pricing is important for Priority Mail because it allows our prices to better reflect the cost of air transportation. Air transportation costs are based on the cubic capacity (size) of a package, not on the weight. This means that some large, light-weight packages may be charged as heavier-weight items. Other carriers use a similar standard to determine their prices.
The Smart Mat is a useful tool provided to retail offices to assist in determining Priority Mail dimensional-weight pricing. The mat, shown in Exhibit 1, was distributed this past June and August to POS One, IRT, and manual offices. The Smart Mat and a ruler is the quickest and most efficient way to determine if a Priority Mail package may be subject to dimensional-weight pricing.
Exhibit 1: Smart Mat
The Smart Mat requires that you measure only one dimension of a package — the height — rather than measuring three dimensions (height, weight, and length). It is the most efficient method to determine dimensional weight.
Ask two questions:
If the answer to both questions is “yes,” use the Smart Mat and a ruler as instructed below.
- Step 1. Place the Priority Mail package with the corner of the longest side of the package against the top line and in the corner as indicated by the red arrow on the mat.
- Step 2. Identify the number on the nearest curved line that is not covered by the package.
- Step 3. Measure the height of the package with a ruler.
- Step 4. If the height in inches is greater than the number on the curved line, the package is more than 1 cubic foot and may be subject to dimensional–weight pricing.
The applicable postage is based on the scale weight or the dimensional weight, whichever is greater, and the appropriate zone.
The Retail Operations Rate Change Resources Web page at http://blue.usps.gov/delret/L4RetOper_Price_Change_Resources_2007.htm contains a Dimensional-Weight Pricing and Criteria Worksheet. Under the heading “Tools,” click on Dimensional Weight Calculations and Worksheet (Revised).
For more information on Priority Mail dimensional-weight pricing, see the article titled “Priority Mail Fact Sheet” on page 15 in this issue of the Postal Bulletin.
2007 Holiday Element List
The Holiday POP Kit will be distributed to each office between October 22nd and October 31st. Each POP kit will be tailored to Post Office specifications as listed in the Facilities Database. A Signage Instruction Guide will be included in each POP kit to explain where to display each element contained in the individualized package. If there are questions about the POP kit, please call Carlos at the NEW POP Hotline number as listed in the Signage Instruction Guide (312-425-6891). All holiday POP must be on display from November 1st until December 31st.
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FULL-SERVICE LOBBY ZONE:
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Element
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Messaging
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Specs
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Distribution
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Standee
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Flat-Rate Box
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Kit 4, 5, 6, and XL
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Wall Poster — Small
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Stamps
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18" x 24"
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Kit 3, 4
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Wall Poster — Large
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Stamps
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24" x 36"
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Kit 5, 6
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Wall Poster
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Flat-Rate Box
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18" x 24"
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Kit 1, 2
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Queue Floor Window Insert
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MasterCard Promo
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33" x 23.25"
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APC Locations Only
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Lug On (slatwall)
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ReadyPost
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ReadyPost Offices
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CLERK COUNTER ZONE:
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Element
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Messaging
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Specs
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Distribution
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Menuboard v1 Lg Hook & Cord
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Flat-Rate Box
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23.625" x 34.5"
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Based on office configuration
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Menuboard v1 Lg Sustaining
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Flat-Rate Box
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23.625" x 34.5"
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Based on office configuration
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Menuboard v1 Sm Hook & Cord
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Flat-Rate Box
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17.5" x 25.375"
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Based on office configuration
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Menuboard v1 Sm Sustaining
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Flat-Rate Box
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17.5" x 25.375"
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Based on office configuration
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Menuboard Large v1 Backlit
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Flat-Rate Box
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25.625" x 34.5"
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Based on office configuration
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Half Size v1 Backlit
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Flat-Rate Box
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15.875" x 23.625"
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Based on office configuration
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Menuboard v2 Lg Hook & Cord
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Express Mail
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23.625" x 34.5"
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Based on office configuration
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Menuboard v2 Lg Sustaining
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Express Mail
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23.625" x 34.5"
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Based on office configuration
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Menuboard v2 Sm Hook & Cord
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Express Mail
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17.5" x 25.375"
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Based on office configuration
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Menuboard v2 Sm Sustaining
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Express Mail
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17.5" x 25.375"
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Based on office configuration
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Menuboard Large v2 Backlit
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Express Mail
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25.625" x 34.5"
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Based on office configuration
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Half Size v2 Backlit
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Express Mail
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15.875" x 23.625"
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Based on office configuration
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Countermat Insert
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Flat-Rate Box
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17" x 11"
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Kit 3, 4, 5, 6, XL
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Countermat Insert
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Stamps
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17" x 11"
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Kit 1, 2
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Credit Card Flag
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Holiday
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POS Locations
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Countercard
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Flat-Rate Box
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Kit 1, 2, 3
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EXTERIOR ZONE
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Element
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Messaging
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Specs
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Distribution
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Holiday Closing Sign
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Official Holiday Dates
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11" x 8.5"
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All Locations
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EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATION:
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Element
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Messaging
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Specs
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Distribution
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Signage Instruction Guide
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Kit Instructions
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All Locations
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MASTERCARD ELEMENTS
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Element
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Messaging
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Specs
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Distribution
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APC Horizontal Sign Promo Panel
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MasterCard Promo
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17.9375" x 14.4687"
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APC Locations Only
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Stanchion Sign
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MasterCard Promo
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22" x 28"
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APC Locations Only
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