[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 61 (Tuesday, March 31, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15886-15889]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-06223]
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POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 111
Parcel Dimension Compliance
AGENCY: Postal Service.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Postal Service is amending Mailing Standards of the United
States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) 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
[[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[supreg]
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[supreg] 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[supreg], Priority Mail[supreg], USPS
Ground Advantage[supreg], and Parcel Select[supreg], 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]
0
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.
0
2. 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
[[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
[[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