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Rule

Parcel Dimension Compliance

A Rule by the Postal Service on 03/31/2026

• 1.

1.

• Document Details Published Content - Document Details Agency Postal Service CFR 39 CFR 111 Document Citation 91 FR 15886 Document Number 2026-06223 Document Type Rule Pages 15886-15889
  (4 pages) Publication Date 03/31/2026 Published Content - Document Details

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• Document Details Published Content - Document Details Agency Postal Service CFR 39 CFR 111 Document Citation 91 FR 15886 Document Number 2026-06223 Document Type Rule Pages 15886-15889
  (4 pages) Publication Date 03/31/2026 Published Content - Document Details

• Document Dates Published Content - Document Dates Effective Date 2026-07-12 Dates Text Effective Date: July 12, 2026. Published Content - Document Dates

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  • AGENCY:
  • ACTION:
  • SUMMARY:
  • DATES:
  • FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
  • SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
  • Phase One
  • Phase Two
  • List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111
  • PART 111—[AMENDED]
  • Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
  • 200 Commercial Letters, Cards, Flats, and Parcels
  • 210 Commercial Mail Priority Mail Express
  • 213 Prices and Eligibility
  • 1.0 Prices and Fees
  • 1.4 Dimensional Weight Price for Low-Density Parcels
  • 1.8 Nonstandard Fees
  • 1.9 Dimension Noncompliance Fee
  • 220 Commercial Mail Priority Mail
  • 223 Prices and Eligibility
  • 1.0 Prices and Fees
  • 1.4 Dimensional Weight Price for Low-Density Parcels
  • 1.10 Nonstandard Fees
  • 1.11 Dimension Noncompliance Fee
  • 250 Commercial Mail Parcel Select
  • 253 Prices and Eligibility
  • 1.0 Prices and Fees
  • 1.2 Dimensional Weight Price for Low-Density Parcels
  • 1.7 Nonstandard Fees
  • 1.8 Dimension Noncompliance Fee
  • 280 Commercial Mail USPS Ground Advantage—Commercial
  • 283 Prices and Eligibility
  • 1.0 Prices and Fees
  • 1.4 Dimensional Weight Price for Low-Density Parcels
  • 1.7 Nonstandard Fees
  • 1.8 Dimension Noncompliance Fee Enhanced Content - Table of Contents

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Postal Service

1. 39 CFR Part 111

AGENCY:

Postal Service.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Postal Service is amending Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) in various sections to expand the current requirement to include accurate parcel dimensions in a manifest.

DATES:

Effective Date: July 12, 2026.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Catherine Knox at (202) 268-5636 or Garry Rodriguez at (202) 268-7281.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On January 8, 2026, the Postal Service published a notice of proposed rulemaking (91 FR 651-652) to expand the current dimensional reporting requirement to include accurate parcel dimensions in a Shipping Services file manifest or other approved electronic documentation (herein referred to as manifest). In response to the proposed rule the Postal Service received seven responses, some which included comments on multiple topics. A majority of the responses agreed with the requirement to include all parcel dimensions in the manifest with reservations. A majority of the responses also questioned the Postal Service approach to ensure accuracy. A few responses had other questions.

After reviewing the comments submitted and consulting with various stakeholders the Postal Service has decided to move forward with the proposed rulemaking in a two-phase approach.

Phase One

In phase one, effective July 12. 2026, the Postal Service will move forward with the implementation of requiring accurate dimensions be reported in the manifest for all parcels. During phase one, the Postal Service will evaluate data, review customer activity, identify thresholds, and implement and test trusted systems accuracy. Assessing the Dimension Noncompliance fee for omitting the dimensions or for inaccurately reported dimensions in the manifest will be deferred until the implementation of phase two. However, in the interim, the Postal Service will continue to charge the Dimension Noncompliance fee for parcels that exceed 1 cubic foot or 22 inches in length if the parcel's dimensions are omitted or inaccurate in the manifest until implementation of the “Parcel Dimension Compliance” initiative phase two.

Phase Two

In phase two, tentatively scheduled for early 2027, the Postal Service will implement an automated approach to detect dimensions are included and that they are accurate in the manifest. This schedule is tentative and subject to change. At this time, the Postal Service will begin to assess the Dimension Noncompliance fee for omitting the dimensions or for inaccurately reported dimensions in the manifest.

As the Postal Service moves forward in the development of this phase, we will establish the protocols that will be communicated to our business partners in response to the following:

• Dispute standards and recourse.
• Published specifications including tolerances and rounding rules.
• Will the equipment used to measure shipments be certified as legal for trade and conform to current county/state/municipality-level weights and measures rules.
• Will there be an exception process, and if so, how will the Postal Service communicate information regarding exceptions?
• How will the Postal Service resolve instances in which there are different dimensions of the same package from different pieces of equipment?
• Will soft packaging and “Cubic Soft Packs” be exempt from sampling and the assessment of a fee. The establishment of phase two will require the Postal Service to work closely with our business partners to implement standards that are mutually ( printed page 15887) beneficial. This includes providing our business partners with adequate lead time to ensure a smooth transition into the implementation of phase two of this initiative.

Comments and the Postal Service responses to other questions are summarized as follows:

Comment: Several commentors questioned why the Postal Service is proposing this revision to the standards.

Response: This FRN was proposed to support USPS in modeling and forecasting its capacity to manage transportation, improve operational efficiencies, streamline workflow, and enhance trusted-scale technology.

Comment: One commenter believed that the materials should be reviewed under the Paperwork Reduction Act, Regulatory Flexibility Act, and related guidance.

Response: For a variety of legal reasons, these laws, and by extension any related guidance, do not apply to the Postal Service or this rulemaking.

Comment: One commentor questioned whether the “cubic soft pack” measurement calculation would be affected by this revision.

Response: The Postal Service is not changing the measurement calculation for “cubic soft pack” in this revision.

Comment: One commentor questioned whether USPS Returns® would be implicated.

Response: The proposed rulemaking clearly stated, “Dimensions would not be required for Flat Rate priced pieces or USPS Returns pieces.”

Comment: One commentor questioned how and when assessments will be applied for non-conforming shipments.

Response: As stated above, the Postal Service will begin assessing for noncompliance with the implementation of phase two.

Comment: One commentor questioned if packages damaged or deformed after tendering be excluded from measurement and resulting assessment.

Response: The intent of the sampling is to ensure the accuracy of the reported data. Mailpieces that are damaged or deformed will not be used to validate accuracy of data.

Comment: Several commentors voiced concerns that there will be an increase in shipper operational efficiency and erroneous fees that will push shippers using GA back to the competition, that the $3 fee being applied on parcels that already have correct postage, to establish an industry-standard mechanism to reconcile estimated or final dimensions where the shipper can agree to pay adjustments (“pay-for-use”), and a policy that focuses on data completeness and price adjustment, not “punitive measures,” and with the requirements being a higher cost for shippers (increased labor for handling/measuring, capital for implementing dimension capture capabilities, narrow profit margins), that the change will drive customers using GA back to the competitor, and requests USPS minimize competitive migration by first implementing postage upcharges for non-compliant packages.

Response: The Postal Service is mindful of the concerns in these comments and plans to address these very exact concerns and balance them with our need for accuracy and efficiency during phase two of this initiative.

The Postal Service is expanding the current standard in the Domestic Mail Manual by requiring mailers to always include accurate dimensions (length, width, and height) for parcels included in a manifest. Dimensions would not be required for Flat Rate priced pieces or USPS Returns® pieces. Failure to comply with the expanded requirement will subject the parcel to the Dimension Noncompliance fee which is deferred until phase two. This revision only applies to commercial Priority Mail Express®, Priority Mail®, USPS Ground Advantage®, and Parcel Select®, products.

The Postal Service adopts the described changes to Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to reflect these changes.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

• Administrative practice and procedure
• Postal Service Accordingly, the Postal Service amends Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations as follows (see 39 CFR 111.1):

PART 111—[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 13 U.S.C. 301-307; 18 U.S.C. 1692-1737; 39 U.S.C. 101, 401-404, 414, 416, 3001-3018, 3201-3220, 3401-3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3629, 3631-3633, 3641, 3681-3685, and 5001.

1. Revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) as follows:

Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)

---

200 Commercial Letters, Cards, Flats, and Parcels

---

210 Commercial Mail Priority Mail Express

213 Prices and Eligibility

---

1.0 Prices and Fees

---

1.4 Dimensional Weight Price for Low-Density Parcels

• * * * * [Delete 1.4.4, Dimensional Weight Pricing Dimension Standard, in its entirety.]

---

1.8 Nonstandard Fees

Except for Priority Mail Express Return service, a Priority Mail Express piece is subject to a nonstandard fee (see Notice 123—Price List) as follows:

• * * * * [Revise the text of items g and h to read as follows:]

g. Shipping Services file manifests or other approved electronic documentation must include the extra service code (ESC) for the characteristics category (see 201.7.6.2).

h. Mailers of parcels requiring the characteristics extra service code (ESC) under 1.8g and have a Shipping Services file manifest or other approved electronic documentation, that do not meet the requirement to include the ESC will be assessed the Dimension Noncompliance fee under 1.9.

1.9 Dimension Noncompliance Fee

[Revise the first sentence of 1.9 to read as follows:]

Except for Flat Rate priced pieces and Priority Mail Express Return service pieces, mailers of Priority Mail Express parcels are required to include the parcel's dimensions (length, width, height), and when applicable the characteristics ESC (see 1.8g), in the Shipping Services file manifest or other approved electronic documentation or will be assessed the Dimension Noncompliance fee (see Notice 123—Price List) if the parcel's dimensions or ESC are omitted or inaccurate. ***

[Add a note to the end of 1.9 that reads as follows:]

Note:

Mailers of Priority Mail Express parcels will continue to be charged the Dimension Noncompliance fee for parcels ( printed page 15888) that exceed 1 cubic foot or 22 inches in length if the parcel's dimensions are omitted or inaccurate in the Shipping Services file manifest or other approved electronic documentation until implementation of the “Parcel Dimension Compliance” initiative phase two.

---

220 Commercial Mail Priority Mail

223 Prices and Eligibility

1.0 Prices and Fees

---

1.4 Dimensional Weight Price for Low-Density Parcels

• * * * * [Delete 1.4.4, Dimensional Weight Pricing Dimension Standard, in its entirety.]

---

1.10 Nonstandard Fees

Except for Flat Rate and Priority Mail Return service packages, a Priority Mail piece is subject to a nonstandard fee (see Notice 123—Price List) as follows:

• * * * * [Revise the text of items g and h to read as follows:]

g. Shipping Services file manifests or other approved electronic documentation must include the extra service code (ESC) for the characteristics category (see 201.7.6.2).

h. Mailers of parcels requiring the characteristics extra service code (ESC) under 1.10g and have a Shipping Services file manifest or other approved electronic documentation, that do not meet the requirement to include the ESC will be assessed the Dimension Noncompliance fee under 1.11.

1.11 Dimension Noncompliance Fee

[Revise the first sentence of 1.11 to read as follows:]

Except for Flat Rate priced pieces and Priority Mail Return service pieces, mailers of Priority Mail parcels are required to include the parcel's dimensions (length, width, height), and when applicable the characteristics ESC (see 1.10g), in the Shipping Services file manifest or other approved electronic documentation or will be assessed the Dimension Noncompliance fee (see Notice 123—Price List) if the parcel's dimensions or ESC are omitted or inaccurate. ***

[Add a note to the end of 1.11 that reads as follows:]

Note:

Mailers of Priority Mail parcels will continue to be charged the Dimension Noncompliance fee for parcels that exceed 1 cubic foot or 22 inches in length if the parcel's dimensions are omitted or inaccurate in the Shipping Services file manifest or other approved electronic documentation until implementation of the “Parcel Dimension Compliance” initiative phase two.

---

250 Commercial Mail Parcel Select

253 Prices and Eligibility

1.0 Prices and Fees

---

1.2 Dimensional Weight Price for Low-Density Parcels

• * * * * [Delete 1.2.4, Dimensional Weight Pricing Dimension Standard, in its entirety.]

---

1.7 Nonstandard Fees

Except for oversized priced parcels, a Parcel Select Destination Entry or USPS Connect Local piece is subject to a nonstandard fee (see Notice 123—Price List) as follows:

• * * * * [Revise the text of items g and h to read as follows:]

g. Shipping Services file manifests or other approved electronic documentation must include the extra service code (ESC) for the characteristics category (see 201.7.6.2).

h. Mailers of parcels requiring the characteristics extra service code (ESC) under 1.7g and have a Shipping Services file manifest or other approved electronic documentation, that do not meet the requirement to include the ESC will be assessed the Dimension Noncompliance fee under 1.8.

1.8 Dimension Noncompliance Fee

[Revise the first sentence of 1.8 to read as follows:]

Mailers of Parcel Select parcels are required to include the parcel's dimensions (length, width, height), and when applicable the characteristics ESC (see 1.7g), in the Shipping Services file manifest or other approved electronic documentation or will be assessed the Dimension Noncompliance fee (see Notice 123—Price List) if the parcel's dimensions or ESC are omitted or inaccurate. ***

[Add a note to the end of 1.8 that reads as follows:]

Note:

Mailers of Parcel Select parcels will continue to be charged the Dimension Noncompliance fee for parcels that exceed 1 cubic foot or 22 inches in length if the parcel's dimensions are omitted or inaccurate in the Shipping Services file manifest or other approved electronic documentation until implementation of the “Parcel Dimension Compliance” initiative phase two.

---

280 Commercial Mail USPS Ground Advantage—Commercial

283 Prices and Eligibility

1.0 Prices and Fees

---

1.4 Dimensional Weight Price for Low-Density Parcels

• * * * * [Delete 1.4.4, Dimensional Weight Pricing Dimension Standard, in its entirety.]

---

1.7 Nonstandard Fees

Except for oversized priced parcels and USPS Ground Return service parcels, a USPS Ground Advantage—Commercial piece is subject to a nonstandard fee (see Notice 123-Price List) as follows:

• * * * * [Revise the text of items g and h to read as follows:]

g. Shipping Services file manifests or other approved electronic documentation must include the extra service code (ESC) for the characteristics category (see 201.7.6.2).

h. Mailers of parcels requiring the characteristics extra service code (ESC) under 1.7g and have a Shipping Services file manifest or other approved electronic documentation, that do not meet the requirement to include the ESC will be assessed the Dimension Noncompliance fee under 1.8.

1.8 Dimension Noncompliance Fee

[Revise the first sentence of 1.8 to read as follows:]

Except for USPS Ground Advantage Return service pieces, mailers of USPS Ground Advantage—Commercial parcels are required to include the parcel's dimensions (length, width, height), and when applicable the characteristics ESC (see 1.7g), in the Shipping Services file manifest or other approved electronic documentation or will be assessed the Dimension Noncompliance fee (see Notice 123—Price List) if the parcel's dimensions or ESC are omitted or inaccurate. ***

[Add a note to the end of 1.8 that reads as follows:]

Note:

Mailers of USPS Ground Advantage parcels will continue to be charged the Dimension Noncompliance fee for parcels that exceed 1 cubic foot or 22 inches in length if the parcel's dimensions are omitted or inaccurate in the Shipping Services file manifest or other approved electronic documentation until implementation of the ( printed page 15889) “Parcel Dimension Compliance” initiative phase two.

• * * * * Colleen Hibbert-Kapler,

Attorney, Ethics and Legal Compliance.

[FR Doc. 2026-06223 Filed 3-30-26; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7710-12-P

Published Document: 2026-06223 (91 FR 15886)