There are shipping terms the carriers use that often cause the most experienced shipper to pause and think. One of these terms that I regularly forget is girth. So today, we are going to explain the girth of a package and why it is crucial. Girth is essentially the circumference of your UPS shipment. Plus, we scoured the UPS service guide to identify all the situations in which girth plays a factor.
To begin with, UPS has a maximum package size. The maximum size per domestic, export, or import package is 165 inches in length plus girth combined. So what is girth according to UPS?
How do you measure girth for UPS?
UPS Girth = [(2 x width) + (2 x height)]
Grith affects which UPS packages?
The girth of a UPS package will affect the cost and qualifications of your small parcel package.
– UPS Large Package Surcharge
A large package surcharge applies to domestic and international shipments. For domestic shipments, a package is considered a large package when its length (longest side of the box) plus girth [(2 x width) + (2 x height)] combined exceeds 130 inches or its length exceeds 96 inches.
For international shipments, a package is considered a large package when its length (longest side of the box) plus girth [(2 x width) + (2 x height)] combined exceeds 130 inches. Therefore, these packages will cost more to ship.
– UPS Access Point location restrictions
UPS Access Points are locations independently owned businesses. These locations, including local businesses, UPS Store locations, and lockers, offer package pickup and drop-off of labeled UPS shipments. There are restrictions for these packages, and UPS girth again comes into action.
Packages at UPS access points cannot exceed 44 pounds in weight, and the longest side must not exceed 38 inches. Also, the box must not exceed 130 inches in length plus girth combined.
– Over Maximum Limits
As previously mentioned, UPS has a maximum package size. Therefore, packages with an actual weight greater than 150 lbs, or are over 108 inches in length or a total of 165 inches in length plus girth combined, are considered over the maximum. These packages will cost a shipper tremendously. In 2024, this package will cost an additional $1,250 to send in the small package network. The best option for these is to use freight.
– AIR FREIGHT: Other Charges
UPS girth is also an issue with air freight packages. UPS will assess an oversize fee on shipments that exceed 120 inches in length, 83 inches in width, and 60 inches in height. The fee is the cubic dimensional weight and a percent of the transportation charge. This is 20% if length + girth > 200.
UPS Girth: Yes, it is crucial!
The next time you ship a package, try to calculate its girth. It is a good idea to be familiar with the UPS service guide rules and be able to measure the girth of all your UPS small packages.
