1. The Cubic Rate Secret

For small, heavy items, standard weight-based shipping is expensive. USPS Cubic charges by box size, not weight (up to 20lbs).

Access: Use PirateShip to get Cubic pricing. Ship a 15lb item across country for under $10.

2. Carrier Comparison

Under 1lb: USPS Ground Advantage wins.

1-5lbs: Compare USPS Cubic vs UPS Ground.

Over 5lbs: UPS/FedEx Ground usually cheaper than USPS.

Oversized: Get quotes from all three - prices vary wildly.

3. The Girth Rule

Large items get hit with dimensional surcharges if Length + Girth exceeds 130 inches.

Formula: Length + (2 × Width) + (2 × Height). Over 130" = massive fees.

4. Insurance Claims

Carriers deny most claims citing "insufficient packaging." Protect yourself with documentation.

Tip: Photo items inside the box with padding visible before sealing. This wins claims.