Effective January 22, 2018, FedEx started applying dimensional weight pricing with a dimensional divisor of 139. Plus, a per pound rate for all packages over 71 lbs on all SmartPost (FedEx Ground Economy) packages. FedEx Ground Economy DIM dimensional weights are, of course, (length x width x height) divided by a DIM factor. The dimensional divisor is 139 by default. Since the beginning of the service offering, DIM weights have not been applied to SmartPost. Many Refund Retriever customers move from Ground and Home Delivery services to the lower price option of SurePost. This service might not be as cost-effective as before.
Calculating FedEx Ground Economy DIM Weight:
- Measure Dimensions: Measure the package’s length, width, and height in inches, rounding each measurement to the nearest whole inch.
- Compute Cubic Size: Multiply these three dimensions to obtain the cubic size of the package.
- Apply DIM Divisor: Divide the cubic size by 139 (the DIM divisor for FedEx Ground Economy).
- Determine Billable Weight: Compare the DIM weight to the package’s actual weight; the higher of the two will be used as the billable weight.
FedEx Per Lb rate for 71 Lbs up
FedEx SmartPost will also introduce per-pound rates for packages rated above 71 lbs. The shipping charges for a FedEx SmartPost Oversize package will be based on the greatest of the package’s actual rounded weight, dimensional weight, and 71 lbs.
DIM weight = package length x package width x package height / DIM divisor
DIM Calculation Example:
For a package measuring 20 inches (L) × 15 inches (W) × 10 inches (H):
- Cubic Size: 20 × 15 × 10 = 3,000 cubic inches
- DIM Weight: 3,000 ÷ 139 ≈ 21.6 lbs (rounded up to 22 lbs)
If the actual weight of this package is 18 lbs, FedEx will bill based on the DIM weight of 22 lbs, as it is greater than the actual weight.
Size and Weight Limits:
- Maximum Weight: Packages cannot weigh more than 71lbs.
- Maximum Dimensions: The combined length and girth (L + 2W + 2H) must not exceed 130 inches.
Optimizing your packaging to minimize dimensional weight charges is essential. Using appropriately sized packaging can help reduce shipping costs by decreasing the billable weight.
What is FedEx SmartPost?
FedEx Ground Economy, formerly FedEx SmartPost, is a service option that utilizes FedEx’s infrastructure while relying on the U.S. Postal Service to provide final delivery to your customer. Packages are typically delivered in 2–7 business days, depending on the distance to the destination. There is no charge for residential or Saturday delivery, but the time in transit is greater than for ground services.
FedEx SmartPost DIM (Now FedEx Ground Economy)
January 1, 2018, FedEx Ground Economy Changes.
- A Third Party Billing Surcharge of 2.5% will apply to shipments billed to a third party.
- Non-Machinable Surcharge for all services will increase from $2.75 to $2.90 per package.
- Package Relabel Surcharge will increase from $0.50 to $0.60.
- Delivery Area Surcharge will increase. $1.20 to $1.30 and $1.70 to $1.85 per package for shipments in the contiguous U.S., Alaska & Hawaii.
In 2015, UPS subjected all SurePost packages to dimensional weight charges. SurePost boxes follow the same dimensional weight formula as UPS Ground.
Effective March 8, 2021:
FedEx SmartPost and FedEx SmartPost Returns are now FedEx Ground Economy and FedEx Ground Economy Returns. FedEx will still provide the same residential shipping for low-weight packages. It has a new name: FedEx Ground Economy, formerly FedEx SmartPost.
