Shipping zones simplify the delivery procedure for both the service and the consumer. Many small eCommerce firms deal directly with courier companies since employing fulfillment centers is not an affordable solution because they lack the necessary shipping volume. You may receive lower delivery costs for your shipments by learning how the company employs these zones and its expenses.

- Shipping zones reduce price margins on products

- Shipping zones provide a convenient way to estimate shipping prices

- Zones also help consumers find the best pricing for their products

- When retailers use a shipping zone map, customers save time and money

What Are Mailing Zones By Different Couriers?

Shipping companies compute zones based on the origin of the cargo. This implies that two shipments dispatched to the exact location from separate warehouses may arrive in different delivery zones.

USPS Shipping Zones

Your shipment's postal class and destination determine the price of a USPS shipping zone. Through its Priority Mail Overseas service, the USPS delivers to over 190 international locations. They offer a multi-tiered price scheme that depends on the location and postal class.

UPS Shipping Zones

UPS delivers to almost 220 countries worldwide. To receive UPS shipping prices, you must first determine which UPS shipping zone you belong to. You'll need to put the zip code on their UPS website to identify the applicable zones.

FedEx Shipping Zones

FedEx delivery zones are identified in the same method as UPS shipping zones. To obtain a quote, you must enter the destination FedEx zip code. The zones finder is a File that contains all of the necessary information. This will assist you in determining the appropriate shipping charge for your product. These costs apply to FedEx Freight Priority and FedEx Freight Economic services; however, you may be subject to fuel and other additional service fees. You can also find the FedEx zone chart on their website.

Do Shipping Zones Affect Fulfillment?

Yes! Here are some factors that are affected by shipping zones

Cost

Cost is the most significant influence of shipping zones on fulfillment. The shipping zone determines your package's delivery cost it goes through. Furthermore, depending on the postal class utilized, various zones may have varying charges.

Delivery Time

Another crucial part of the shipment is the delivery time. The pace of delivery is directly related to the distance the load must travel. If your parcel is being shipped to a local zone, you may anticipate it to arrive quickly; the farther away from the location, the more delivery time.

Conclusion

If you need help determining which zone your package falls into, contact Simpl. We’ll take care of the rest! Our team is ready to provide you with all the fulfillment services that are needed for international shipping- from customs clearance and brokerage to freight forwarding and more.

Contact us today if you want a quote on our comprehensive global logistics solutions or simply have any questions about our process.

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What is Priority Mail Cubic?

Priority Mail Cubic is a specialized service offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that prices packages based on their outer dimensions rather than weight. This unique pricing model can lead to significant savings, especially for small, dense packages weighing up to 20 pounds.

Key Features:

Dimension-based pricing: Rates determined by package size, not weight
Weight limit: Up to 20 pounds
Delivery timeframe: 1-3 business days
Insurance: $100 included for free
Tracking: Free package tracking included
Savings: Up to 90% off retail shipping rates

USPS Cubic Pricing Tiers

Priority Mail Cubic uses a tiered pricing system based on the package's volume. There are five tiers:

Tier 0.1: Up to 0.1 cubic feet
Tier 0.2: 0.101 to 0.2 cubic feet
Tier 0.3: 0.201 to 0.3 cubic feet
Tier 0.4: 0.301 to 0.4 cubic feet
Tier 0.5: 0.401 to 0.5 cubic feet

Calculating Your Package's Cubic Tier

For Boxes and Rigid Packages:

Measure the outer dimensions (length, width, height) in inches
Round each measurement down to the nearest quarter inch
Multiply length x width x height
Divide the result by 1728 (cubic inches in a cubic foot)
The result is your package's cubic feet measurement

Example: For a box measuring 12.3" x 9.5" x 3":

Round down to 12.25" x 9.5" x 3"
12.25 x 9.5 x 3 = 349.125
349.125 / 1728 = 0.202 cubic feet
This package falls into the 0.3 cubic feet pricing tier

Note: Maximum size for any single dimension is 18 inches

For Envelopes and Soft Packs:

Measure the length and width of the empty envelope
Round down to the nearest quarter inch
Add the length and width together
Use the total to determine the pricing tier:
- Tier 0.1: Up to 21"
- Tier 0.2: 21.01" to 27"
- Tier 0.3: 27.01" to 31"
- Tier 0.4: 31.01" to 34"
- Tier 0.5: 34.01" to 36"

Restrictions

Tubes and rolls are not eligible for Cubic pricing
Maximum combined length and girth is 84 inches

Benefits of Using Priority Mail Cubic

Cost savings: Cheaper than weight-based pricing for small, heavy items
Predictable pricing: Easy to calculate shipping costs based on box dimensions
Fast delivery: 1-3 business day delivery to any US address, including PO boxes
Free tracking: Monitor shipments at no extra cost
Included insurance: $100 of coverage with every shipment
No surcharges: Residential and fuel surcharges included in the price

Tips for Maximizing Savings

Optimize packaging: Use the smallest box possible that safely fits your items
Consider breaking up large orders: Sometimes shipping in multiple smaller boxes can be cheaper
Use cubic feet calculators: Online tools can help quickly determine your package's tier
Compare rates: Always compare Cubic rates with other shipping methods
Use Commercial Pricing: Accessing Commercial Pricing rates can lead to even more savings

2024 USPS Priority Mail Cubic Rates

[Insert current rate table here]

Accessing Priority Mail Cubic Rates

Priority Mail Cubic isn't available at regular Post Office counters. However, many online shipping platforms and 3PL providers offer access to these rates. By partnering with a fulfillment provider, you can easily access these discounted rates and streamline your shipping process. For small-scale sellers not yet ready for a 3PL, Pirate Ship offers free access to USPS Priority Mail Cubic rates with no monthly fees or minimums.

What Are International Shipping Zones?