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16 × 12 × 8 Box Dimensional Weight

Billable weight for a 16 × 12 × 8 in box, a common size for boots, coats and small electronics with accessories, on UPS, FedEx, USPS, international express and air cargo.

Updated · By Niraj Kumar · 8 sources

Box

Measured inMeasured in
in
in
in

Measure the packed box at its widest points, bulges included. UPS, FedEx and USPS round every fractional inch up.

lb

Parcels are rated box by box; freight on the whole shipment.

Compare

ServicesServices
Least DIM penalty (tie)USPS Ground and USPS PriorityBilled at actual weight, 5 lb
USPS Ground Advantage
5 lb
Actual weight (DIM exempt)
USPS Priority Mail
5 lb
Actual weight (DIM exempt)
UPS Ground
12 lb
7 lb over actual weight · DIM weight
FedEx Ground
12 lb
7 lb over actual weight · DIM weight
Chargeable weight for this shipment, in lb, lightest firstHover or focus a row for the DIM and actual weight behind it. Services billed in the other unit are converted.
  1. 1USPS Ground Advantage÷ 1395 lb
  2. 2USPS Priority Mail÷ 1395 lb
  3. 3UPS Ground÷ 13912 lb
  4. 4FedEx Ground÷ 13912 lb
Service by service, in each one's billing unit
ServiceDivisorDIM weightActualBillable, shipmentBilled on
USPS Ground Advantage139Exempt5 lb5 lbActual weight (DIM exempt)
USPS Priority Mail139Exempt5 lb5 lbActual weight (DIM exempt)
UPS Ground13912 lb5 lb12 lbDIM weight
FedEx Ground13912 lb5 lb12 lbDIM weight

How is the 16 × 12 × 8 in box's DIM weight calculated?

A 16 × 12 × 8 in box is 1,536 cubic inches, so UPS and FedEx bill it at no less than 12 lb. USPS bills it at actual weight, because at 1,536 in³ it is not over one cubic foot. Heavier than 12 lb, every carrier bills actual weight.

DIM weight = L × W × H ÷ divisor; billable = max(actual, DIM, surcharge minimum)

This page uses the same method as the Shipping DIM Weight Comparison Calculator, which explains each term and assumption in full.

A 16 × 12 × 8 in box at 5 lb, by service
ServiceDivisorDIM weightBilled atBills actual weight from
UPS Ground13912 lb12 lb12 lb
FedEx Ground13912 lb12 lb12 lb
USPS Ground Advantage13912 lb (exempt)5 lbAny weight
DHL Express Worldwide13912 lb12 lb12 lb
Canada Post Regular Parcel6,0004.5 kg4.5 kg4.5 kg
Australia Post Parcel Post4,0006.5 kg6.5 kg6.5 kg
Air freight (IATA)6,0004.5 kg4.5 kg4.5 kg

Worked example

A 16 × 12 × 8 in box weighing 5 lb.

  1. 1UPS Ground: divisor 139, billed at 12 lb (DIM weight)
  2. 2USPS Ground Advantage: divisor 139, billed at 5 lb (actual weight)

USPS Ground Advantage bills it lighter, so it takes the smaller DIM penalty.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dimensional weight of a 16 × 12 × 8 box?

12 lb on UPS and FedEx: 1,536 in³ ÷ 139 = 11.05, rounded up to the next pound. USPS bills it at actual weight, because at 1,536 in³ it is not over one cubic foot. Internationally it is 5.5 kg by express courier (÷ 5000) and 4.5 kg as air cargo (÷ 6000).

How heavy does a 16 × 12 × 8 box have to be to avoid DIM weight?

At least 12 lb on UPS and FedEx. Below that, you pay for 12 lb whatever the box weighs; USPS always bills this box at its actual weight. At a typical 5 lb for boots, coats and small electronics with accessories, you are billed for 7 lb of air.

How much would a smaller box save over 16 × 12 × 8?

Taking 2 in off the height, to 16 × 12 × 6, cuts the UPS and FedEx DIM weight from 12 lb to 9 lb. At 5 lb, a height of 3 in or less bills at actual weight. Void fill and oversized boxes are the most common DIM leak.

Sources

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