Entering Package Dimensions & Weight

Shipping rates, rules, and availability are calculated using at least four pieces of information:

• Weight

• Dimensions

• Destination ZIP Code

• Destination Zone

It is obvious that the system needs to know destination information when calculating a rate, but almost as important is the entry of weight and dimensions.  Dimensions in particular trigger certain surcharges such as Dimensional Weight.  All of these form a base cost rate, from which a retail price is derived.

IMPORTANT: On the shipping screen, when entering dimensions:  pressing Enter on the first field without entering a number is assumed to mean you are not entering the package size and the panel will close automatically.  The system then assumes you need to rate the package on scale weight (i.e. actual weight) only.

Entering Weight

On the Shipping Screen, you are provided three boxes to enter shipment weight

• Weight - The package weight in pounds, or fractions of a pound (i.e. entry of 2.5 here would be 2.5 pounds NOT 2 pounds, 5 ounces)

• Ounces/Decimal - In this second box, you can enter the weight in ounces express as a decimal i.e. 1 ounce = .0625

• Oz. - In this box, you can enter ounces in the traditional manner

Entering Dimensions

After selecting an address and entering the weight of the shipment, you will then see the Dimension Entry panel.

When prompted to enter package dimensions, you need to enter the outside dimensions of the completed packaging.  ReSource uses this information to calculate dimensional weight, where appropriate.  If you fail to enter dimensions, ReSource will calculate a rate only on the scale weight.

By design, if you hit enter on the first field (i.e. Length) without entering any dimension, ReSource assumes that no dimensional weight calculation is needed.

This means that when you do not need to provide the size (i.e. Letter services), you only need to press Enter once.  

Pressing Enter additional times, without entering a value, may actually select a service and be ready to record the package.  In no case will pressing Enter multiple times from the first dimension actually finish processing a package, but you may be further in the screen than you thought you would be.  If you make a mistake and need to enter dimensions, click into the Weight field and press Enter once to bring up the dimensions panel again.

Dimensional Weight Calculation & Display Elements

ReSource Partner utilizes the dimensions you enter to calculate whether a package should be rated on actual weight, or dimensional weight, based on carrier rules in effect at time of shipment.  For the dimensions entered above, that ReSource Partner calculated and displayed the dimensional weight for this package (1 pound scale weight, but 90 pounds dimensional weight).  You can tell this by the Dimensional Weight Check Symbol displayed in the service cell.  Note also in the adjacent service that the dimensional weight calculated exceed the service rules, so DimOvrWt is displayed

Dimensional Weight is a surcharge for excess package size relative to actual package weight.   Dimensional weight is charged for using excess capacity usage.  If the ratio of the size to the scale weight is too great, carriers begin charging you as if the weight of the package was higher.

Dimensional Calculation Tool

When dimensional weight applies for a package, clicking the smaller ”D” button on the Rate Button will show the calculation steps the program used to calculate the Dimensional Weight.

Additional Handling

Click on the button to implement a retail charge for Additional Handling.  On the Dimensional Weight Entry Field is an Additional Handling Button.  Rules for Additional Handling fall into two classes

• Additional Handling rules that can be implemented automatically based on the dimensions - ReSource adds these automatically.

• Additional Handling rules that cannot be calculated mathematically using dimension information,  therefore cannot be automatic - such as requirements for Additional Handling when the shipment is contained in a bucket, or is a tire, or similar odd circumstances.  In those instances, you will need to implement Additional Handling manually by using this button.  By default, the Additional Handling button is set to No Additional Handling.

• Package Shape can also affect USPS calculations, so there is also a place for you to designate this.

Non-Rectangular Shaped Parcel Button

Certain shipments via USPS can be designated Non-rectangular (for example, a guitar or violin case) so an alternative method of calculating dimensional weight can be used.  Clicking this button at the Dimensional Weight Panel tells the program to use this alternative method if a USPS service is selected.  Consult your postal regulations for more information on non-rectangular parcel rating issues.

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