Overview: USPS Ground Advantage in ShipHero

As of July 9, 2023, USPS Ground Advantage replaced three USPS services, USPS First-Class Package Services, Parcel Select Ground (discontinued), USPS Retail Ground (discountinued). This service offers a balance of 2–5 day delivery, includes $100 of insurance, and provides competitive rates for items weighing up to 70 lbs.

For the most up-to-date information on USPS Ground Advantage please reference the official USPS Ground Advantage page.

Dimensions and Limitations

Service Restrictions

• Hazmat: Ground Advantage is the required service for hazardous materials (such as lithium batteries) as it utilizes ground transportation.
• Packaging: You must provide your own packaging. Unlike Priority Mail, there are no Flat Rate options for Ground Advantage.
• Cubic Restrictions: Cylindrical tubes or rolls are not eligible for Cubic pricing; shipments must be in rectangular boxes or soft packs.
• Insurance: $100 of coverage is included. Additional coverage must be purchased for items exceeding this value.

How Rates Are Calculated

Rates are determined by weight and zone (distance). However, there are two distinct methods to calculate pricing for larger or denser items: Non-Cubic and Cubic. When using the USPS Ground Advantage shipping method the carrier will automatically select the cheaper of cubic or non cubic when generating the label.

Non-Cubic (Standard) Pricing

This is the default pricing model for most shipments.

• Weight-Based: For packages under 1 lb, rates are applied in 4oz tiers (1-4oz, 8oz, 12oz, 15.99oz). For packages over 1 lb, the rate is calculated by the pound, rounded up to the next whole number.
• Dimensional (DIM) Weight: If a package exceeds 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches), USPS compares the actual weight to the DIM weight. You are charged for whichever value is higher.

DIM Weight Formula: (Length x Width x Height) / 166 = {DIM weight in lbs}

Cubic Pricing

Cubic pricing is optimized for shipping small, heavy items. This method ignores actual weight and charges based solely on the volume of the package.

• Eligibility: The package must weigh under 20 lbs and be 1.0 cubic foot or less. The longest dimension cannot exceed 18 inches.
• Calculation: Measure the Length, Width, and Height, rounding each down to the nearest 1/4 inch.
• Soft Packs/Polymailers: These utilize a specific calculation based on (Length + Width). If the sum is 36 inches or less, the parcel may qualify for cubic pricing.

Cubic Volume Formula: (Length x Width x Height) / 1,728 = Cubic Feet