When you enter a weight for your parcel (letters and packages weighing less than 150 pounds), be sure to include the weight of the box and all packing materials. Only an accurate weight will yield an accurate shipping charge. Always round up to the next nearest pound. For shipments of more than 150 pounds, however, a weight estimate is acceptable.

When you enter dimensions for your package, dimensions less than 1/2" are rounded down to the nearest inch, dimensions greater than 1/2" are rounded up to the nearest inch. Be sure to measure carefully, because inaccurate measurements will result in inaccurate rates.

Getting an Accurate Weight

If you don't have an accurate shipping scale, you can use a kitchen or bathroom scale. A kitchen scale will yield a more accurate weight for packages of two pounds or less. For heavier packages, use a bathroom scale:

1. Stand on the scale and record your weight.

2. Pick up your package and then record the combined weight of you and your package.

3. Subtract your weight (1) from the combined weight (2).

4. Round up to the nearest pound.

Oversize Items

Large and odd-shaped packages may be subject to higher "oversize" rates. If you enter dimensions in the length, width, and height fields, iShip, Inc. will automatically calculate whether your package is subject to these rates. Carrier-supplied letters, boxes, tubes, and paks are not subject to oversized rates, so it is not necessary to enter dimensions if you are using this packaging.

Very Large or Heavy Shipments

If you are shipping a large or heavy item, some services might not be available to you. These services will not appear on the iShip, Inc. shipping charges grid for your package.

The following chart summarizes the carrier's restrictions for weight and dimensions. Definitions used in the chart are:

• Length is the longest side of a package.

• Girth is the distance all the way around the package, or twice the height plus twice the width of the package.

• Volume is length times width times height.

Carrier/Service	Allowed Weight	Maximum Dimensions	Comments
DHL	Up to 150 pounds	108 inches in length	Larger packages require special handling. Call Carrier for information.
FedEx Express	Up to 150 pounds	119 inches in length 165 inches length + girth
FedEx Ground	Up to 150 pounds Up to 70 pounds for Home Delivery Service	108 inches in length 165 inches length + girth	Oversized rates apply to Ground packages if length + girth is greater than 84 inches and weight is less than 30 pounds or if length + girth is greater than 108 inches and weight is less than 70 pounds.
UPS	Up to 150 pounds	108 inches length 165 inches length + girth	Packages over 70 pounds require a special label. Oversized rates apply to Ground packages if length + girth is greater than 84 inches and weight is less than 30 pounds or if length + girth is greater than 108 inches and weight is less than 70 pounds.
USPS Express Mail	Up to 70 pounds	108 inches length + girth
USPS Parcel Post	Greater than 1 pound* Up to 70 pounds	130 inches length + girth	Between 108 and 130 inches will be charged oversized rates.
USPS Priority Mail	Up to 70 pounds	108 inches length + girth

Dimensional Weight

To keep your shipping charges down, it is best to select a shipping box that is big enough to hold your item and the packaging materials you need to protect it. Even if your item is very light, if you use an excessively large box, you may incur additional shipping costs due to dimensional weight.

Dimensional weight provides a way for carriers to assign an appropriate rate to bulky packages by converting dimensions into a weight equivalent. Dimensional weight applies to packages of less than 150 pounds that are larger than one cubic foot (the volume is equal to that of a cube one foot long on each side) when the package is very light relative to its size.

iShip, Inc. will automatically apply dimensional weight rates if your package qualifies.

Dimensional weight is calculated by:

1. Dividing the volume (Length times width times height) by 194.

   L x W x H / 194 If the result is a fraction, it is rounded up to the next pound.

2. Comparing the package's actual weight to the dimensional weight result.

3. The larger of the two weights is used to calculate shipping rates.

Packaging Types

Select one of the two packaging types for your item: Carrier Letter or Other Packaging. Some things to remember:

• Proper packaging is essential for the safe arrival of your item to its destination. Nothing should shake, rattle, or roll inside the packaging. You can package the item yourself or ask a packaging provider to do it. Carriers can deny claims for damage if an item is improperly packaged.
• Letter Packaging: Special weight rules apply when you use the special letter packaging provided by the carriers (for example, UPS Next Day Air or FedEx Standard Overnight envelopes) and your letter weighs 8 ounces or less. To see these special services, select "Carrier Letter" as the packaging type and enter 8 oz or less as the weight of your package. To display a more complete listing of services, enter 1 lb. for the weight even if your letter weighs less. Some carriers, such as FedEx, do not allow a weight of more than 8 ounces for Carrier Letter packaging. If you select Carrier Letter packaging and a weight of more than 8 ounces, FedEx will not display on the rate grid.
• If your packaging is not a standard box or crate - when, for example, the item is not fully encased in an outside shipping container or the item is encased in an outside shipping container made of metal or wood - then select the "The packaging is irregular or is not standard" check box.

Packaging Tips

Proper packaging is essential for the safe arrival of your item to its destination. Nothing should shake rattle or roll inside the packaging. You have the option of packaging your item yourself or requesting that a packaging provider prepare the shipment for transport. Carriers will often deny claims for damage in the case of improper packaging.

Boxes:

• Use a good quality corrugated box.
• Avoid pre-used, old, or moisture-exposed fiberboard cartons.
• Use a quality brand of boxing tape.
• Provide adequate cushioning between box walls and item.
• Reinforce weak box corners.

• Use quality lumber in crates.
• Don't nail into the end grain of lumber.
• Use three-way locking corners and diagonals to help form a structurally sound open-frame crate.

Ask your carrier about help with packaging your item.

Shipping Exclusions

If you are planning to ship one of the following types of goods, check with the carrier first.

• Perishable goods
• Goods requiring protection from heat or cold
• Goods worth more than the maximum allowed declared value
• Artwork
• Antiques or museum articles
• Fragile items such as glassware or ostrich eggs
• Jewelry, furs, precious metals
• Stocks, bonds, cash, cash equivalents
• Coins
• Stamps
• Hazardous or dangerous materials (including anything flammable, corrosive, explosive, infectious, or radioactive)
• Firearms or fireworks
• Tobacco or alcohol
• Live animals or plants