UPS Ground 30.00% est.FedEx Ground 30.50%Nov. 10, 2026
Rules

Additional Handling Decision Tree: Check Any Carton in Six Questions

A six-question decision tree for UPS and FedEx Additional Handling, Large Package / Oversize and over-limit charges, in the order the carriers’ rules apply.

By the ParcelAccessorials research desk · Updated Nov. 9, 2026 · Editorial standards

Short answer. Measure, round every side up, then ask in order: Is it over the network limits? Over the Large Package / Oversize thresholds? Over 50 lb? Over 48 in long or 30 in on the second side? Over 105 in length plus girth or 10,368 in³? Not in a corrugated box? The first “yes” in the size questions decides which family applies; only one Additional Handling charge applies.
  1. Round up. Every fraction of an inch to the next inch; weight to the next pound.
  2. Over limits? Over 150 lb, over 108 in long, or over 165 in length + girth: UPS Over Maximum Limits (plus Large Package) or FedEx Unauthorized Package Charge.
  3. Large Package / Oversize? Over 96 in long, over 130 in length + girth, over 17,280 in³ or over 110 lb. Billed at least 90 lb. Stop here: Additional Handling does not apply.
  4. Weight: over 50 lb actual → Additional Handling — Weight.
  5. Dimensions: longest side over 48 in, second-longest over 30 in, length + girth over 105 in, or over 10,368 in³ → Additional Handling — Dimensions, billed at least 40 lb (UPS 50 lb from Dec. 21, 2026).
  6. Packaging: not fully encased in corrugated cardboard → Additional Handling — Packaging.

If more than one Additional Handling reason applies, the highest charge is billed. Run any carton through the Additional Handling calculator, which shows each trigger as met or not met.

Caveats.
  • Figures are published list amounts before discounts, calculated from the dataset on the date shown.
  • General information, not legal or financial advice. No savings are promised.

Questions

Which comes first, cube or length + girth?

Neither: any one Additional Handling trigger is enough. The calculator shows every trigger so you can see which ones a change would clear.

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Data notice. Figures are published list amounts we transcribe from public UPS and FedEx documents. They can contain errors and are provided as is; we are not responsible for errors or omissions. Confirm with the carrier before relying on any figure. How we get our data · Disclaimer · Report an error