If you‘re an online seller looking to cut shipping costs, you‘ve probably come across USPS Parcel Select Lightweight – a bulk shipping service that offers some of the cheapest rates on packages weighing less than 16 ounces.
Parcel Select Lightweight‘s rock-bottom per-ounce pricing makes it a popular option for shipping jewelry, clothing, beauty products and other lightweight goods. But there are a lot of factors to consider to determine if it‘s a good fit for your business.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything ecommerce merchants need to know about Parcel Select Lightweight in 2023, from pricing and delivery times to preparation requirements and customer experience best practices. By the end, you‘ll have all the insights to decide if and how to make Parcel Select Lightweight part of your shipping strategy.
What is Parcel Select Lightweight?
Parcel Select Lightweight is a ground delivery service designed for high-volume shippers sending packages weighing less than 16 ounces. It offers very attractive per-ounce postage rates, making it one of the most affordable ways to ship lightweight orders.
Key characteristics of Parcel Select Lightweight include:
- Weight limit: Under 16 ounces
- Size limit: 108 inches in combined length and girth
- Delivery time: Typically 2-9 business days
- Volume requirement: 50,000 parcels per year
- Sorting requirement: Parcels must be presorted by destination
Parcel Select Lightweight is not a service you can purchase at the Post Office. It‘s only available through online shipping platforms like Stamps.com, Pitney Bowes and ShippingEasy. These tools allow merchants to automate the label printing and sorting processes required to use the service.
How Much Does Parcel Select Lightweight Cost?
The biggest selling point of Parcel Select Lightweight is its affordable per-ounce pricing. Exact rates depend on a few factors, including package weight and where parcels are entered into the postal network. Here‘s an overview of Parcel Select Lightweight pricing in 2023.
Parcel Select Lightweight per-ounce rates
| Weight | DNDC Rate | DSCF Rate | DDU Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-4 oz | $1.62 | $1.26 | $1.19 |
| 5-8 oz | $1.81 | $1.44 | $1.28 |
| 9-12 oz | $2.00 | $1.63 | $1.46 |
| 13-16 oz | $2.18 | $1.82 | $1.65 |
As you can see, per-ounce rates get cheaper as packages get heavier – up to the 16-ounce maximum weight. You also get better pricing the further downstream you enter parcels into the USPS network.
- DNDC (Destination Network Distribution Center) rates are the highest, but have the simplest prep requirements.
- DSCF (Destination Sectional Center Facility) rates are a bit lower, but parcels must be sorted by 5-digit zip code.
- DDU (Destination Delivery Unit) rates are cheapest of all, but parcels must be dropped off at individual post offices and are only available in certain areas.
For comparison, here‘s what it would cost to ship the same packages via Priority Mail:
| Weight | Zone 1/2 | Zone 3 | Zone 4 | Zone 5 | Zone 6 | Zone 7 | Zone 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-4 oz | $4.30 | $4.50 | $4.75 | $5.05 | $5.65 | $5.85 | $6.00 |
| 5-8 oz | $4.40 | $4.70 | $5.25 | $5.70 | $6.60 | $6.90 | $7.50 |
| 9-12 oz | $5.00 | $5.45 | $6.25 | $6.95 | $8.15 | $8.85 | $10.50 |
| 13-16 oz | $5.70 | $6.10 | $7.15 | $8.30 | $9.90 | $11.15 | $13.25 |
As you can see, Parcel Select Lightweight offers significant savings compared to Priority Mail, especially for shorter distances. A 12-ounce package shipped to Zone 1 would cost just $2 with Parcel Select Lightweight (DDU rate), compared to $5 via Priority Mail. That‘s a 60% savings!
Dimensional weight pricing
One thing to watch out for with Parcel Select Lightweight is dimensional (DIM) weight pricing. Packages exceeding 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches) in volume are priced based on their size rather than actual weight.
To calculate DIM weight, multiply the package length, width and height in inches, then divide by 166. If the resulting number is greater than the actual weight, you‘ll be charged the DIM weight rate.
For example, a 12" x 10" x 6" package (720 cubic inches) would have a DIM weight of 4.34 pounds (720 / 166). Even if the actual weight is only 15 ounces, you‘d be charged the 4-pound rate.
This means larger packages with lower density can quickly become expensive to ship via Parcel Select Lightweight. If you‘re shipping bulky but lightweight items, you may be better off with USPS Priority Mail Cubic, which doesn‘t use DIM weight pricing.
How long does Parcel Select Lightweight take to deliver?
According to USPS, Parcel Select Lightweight parcels are typically delivered within 2 to 9 business days, depending on the distance between origin and destination. Parcels going to Alaska, Hawaii and U.S. territories can take 10-14 days.
Here‘s a more detailed look at Parcel Select Lightweight delivery standards:
| Destination | Delivery Time |
|---|---|
| Local (up to 50 miles) | 2 days |
| Regional (51-500 miles) | 3-4 days |
| National (501+ miles) | 5-9 days |
| Alaska, Hawaii, Territories | 10-14 days |
However, these are only USPS targets and not guaranteed delivery times. Actual delivery speeds vary quite a bit based on a number of factors:
- Induction level. Entering packages at the DDU or DSCF level gets them delivered 1-2 days faster than DNDC entry.
- Destination zip code. Remote and rural areas tend to have longer delivery times than major metros.
- Inclement weather and natural disasters. Snowstorms, hurricanes, wildfires and other events can bring deliveries to a standstill.
- Holidays. USPS delivery performance tends to suffer during peak season as package volumes spike.
So how does Parcel Select Lightweight actually perform in the real world? Pretty well, all things considered. In Q4 2022, the average Parcel Select Lightweight package was delivered in 3.2 days. Over 97% of parcels were delivered within 9 days.
Of course, averages don‘t tell the whole story. There will always be outliers that take significantly longer to deliver, especially when shipping cross-country or to remote locations. If 1-3 day delivery is a must, Parcel Select Lightweight isn‘t the service for you.
But if you set the right expectations with customers, Parcel Select Lightweight‘s delivery performance is more than adequate for a budget shipping option. Many shoppers are willing to wait a bit longer for free or discounted shipping, especially for non-urgent purchases.
How can I get faster Parcel Select Lightweight deliveries?
While you can‘t control every factor impacting Parcel Select Lightweight delivery speed, there are a few levers you can pull to potentially get packages to customers faster:
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Induct at the DSCF or DDU level. The further downstream you enter your packages, the less distance they have to travel and the faster they tend to be delivered. DDU entry can result in 1-3 day delivery for local shipments.
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Use regional shipping partners. Consider using regional carriers like OnTrac, LaserShip and UDS to get packages to USPS facilities closer to the end recipient, rather than relying on USPS transportation from origin.
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Submit electronic manifests early. The earlier in the day you submit your Parcel Select manifests to USPS, the faster your packages will be processed and sent on their way.
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Avoid major holidays. If 2-3 day delivery is important, avoid inducting Parcel Select packages the week of major holidays. The USPS network gets overwhelmed and transit times can double during these periods.
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Offer alternative fast shipping options. Some customers simply need their orders faster and are willing to pay for the privilege. Have expedited options like Priority Mail Express available at checkout so you don‘t lose these sales.
Is Parcel Select Lightweight right for my business?
As we‘ve covered, Parcel Select Lightweight offers some of the most affordable shipping rates available for lightweight packages under 16 ounces. If keeping shipping costs low is a top priority and you can accept 3-9 day delivery times, it could be a great fit for your business.
However, there are some important requirements and limitations to be aware of:
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50,000 annual package minimum. You must ship at least 50,000 parcels a year to access Parcel Select Lightweight rates.
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Rigorous package preparation. All parcels must be presorted and entered at USPS facilities using electronic manifests.
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Limited tracking and insurance. Free USPS tracking is available, but delivery scans can be spotty. Shipping insurance is available for a fee.
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Inconsistent delivery speeds. While most parcels are delivered in 3-9 days, some inevitably slip through the cracks. Don‘t use Parcel Select Lightweight if your customers expect Amazon Prime-level service.
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DIM weight fees. Be careful shipping large, lightweight items, as DIM weight fees can erase much of your cost savings.
If you can work within these constraints, Parcel Select Lightweight is an excellent option for ecommerce businesses shipping jewelry, beauty products, apparel and accessories, electronics and other lightweight goods.
Over the past decade, we‘ve seen countless merchants use Parcel Select Lightweight to offer free and discounted shipping to customers without breaking the bank. When you‘re competing with retail giants, every dollar saved on shipping can make a difference in your bottom line.
Looking ahead, Parcel Select Lightweight should continue to be a valuable tool for budget-conscious shippers. Even with the continued growth of ecommerce, lightweight packages are likely to remain very affordable to ship via USPS for the foreseeable future.
That said, there‘s no one-size-fits-all approach to ecommerce shipping. The key is to find the right mix of shipping options to serve your unique customers well while preserving your margins. For many merchants, that means using Parcel Select Lightweight alongside Priority Mail and other USPS services.
The only way to know for sure if Parcel Select Lightweight makes sense for your business is to run the numbers. Audit your shipping data to determine how much you could save, then weigh that against the potential impact on the customer experience.
When in doubt, start small. Run a pilot program using Parcel Select Lightweight for a subset of your shipments and see how it goes. If customers respond well and you‘re saving money, you can expand from there.
Adopting a methodical, data-driven approach to shipping is essential in today‘s ecommerce landscape. With the right mix of services and a focus on continuous optimization, you can keep both customers and accountants happy. Parcel Select Lightweight is a great tool to have in your kit – use it wisely!
