Some carriers charge additional handling fees when a package exceeds certain size or weight thresholds, or when the package requires special handling. In EasyPost, the additional_handling option is used to indicate that a shipment may be subject to these fees. When set to true, this flag informs the carrier to asses whether additional fees should apply.
For USPS, setting this option may trigger the Nonstandard Package Characteristic Fee, based on recent USPS requirements for select services.
Additional handling fee
USPS applies the Nonstandard Package Characteristic Fee to the following services when additional_handling is enabled:
- Priority Mail Express
- Priority Mail
- USPS Ground Advantage
Size-based triggers
- Length greater than 22 inches but less than or equal to 30 inches
- Length greater than 30 inches.
- Cubic volume greater than 2 cubic feet.
Shape and content triggers
- Cylindrical tubes or rolls
- Cans, wooden or metal boxes
- Parcels containing:
- More than 24 ounces of liquid in glass containers.
- One gallon or more of liquid in metal or plastic containers.
- Other parcel types may roll or lose structural integrity during USPS processing (as outlined in USPS DMM 601.3.0 and 601.4.0).
Best practices
- Review package dimensions and package types carefully before enabling
additional_handling. - Consider using EasyPost’s SmartRate API or USPS rate resources to estimate potential fees.
- Always set
additional_handlingtotruewhen USPS package criteria may trigger a fee, to prevent processing delays or billing issues.
FAQs
Q: When should additional_handling be set to true?
A: Set additional_handling to true when a package meets any known carrier criteria for additional handing fees–such as unusual dimensions, nonstandard shapes, heavy weight, or irregular packaging materials. This helps ensure accurate rate calculation and prevents delivery disruptions.
Q: What happens if additional_handling is not set but the package qualifies?
A: If additional_handling is not set to true and the package meets fee-triggering conditions, the carrier may still apply the charge during processing or delivery. This can result in unexpected fees or delays.
Q: Is the additional_handling fee amount the same for all carriers?
A: No. Each carrier defines and applies its own additional handling fees. For USPS, the fee amount and criteria may differ from other carriers such as FedEx or UPS.
Q: How much is the USPS Nonstandard Package Characteristics Fee?
A: As of July 2025, USPS charges a $4.00 fee for packages that meet nonstandard characteristics criteria. This applies to specific services such as Priority Mail, Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select.