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 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.