Buy Shipping: Should the postage label be included in weight of the package
I’m asking because some of my packages weigh 98g to 100g before I buy shipping on Amazon, but once I have bought shipping, printed the 4 x 6 label, and affixed it to the package, the weight increases to 101 - 103g. My items are all large letters and the difference is quite costly. i.e. a 100g items costs £1.15 and 101g item or heavier costs £1.85 at the current rate. I’m wondering how tolerant RM are regarding this
Seller_7VbclcPFFRTnc
The package weight includes the postage labels etc
The items go through machines which weigh the whole thing
21 replies
Seller_7VbclcPFFRTnc
It’s the package weight they look for , not item weight
The machine weighs the whole thing
I had warnings just before the average weight t&Cs changed a couple of years ago where the average weight was 103 instead of 100 g
Seller_ie7NmNyOjBOhy
Sorry. I’m referring to the package weight only.
I’ve sent the odd package weighing 101g as 100g and had no comeback, but I guess that’s
as far as I’ll push the envelope.
Seller_7VbclcPFFRTnc
The package weight includes the postage labels etc
The items go through machines which weigh the whole thing
Seller_ie7NmNyOjBOhy
Thanks for your help. Saved me possibly coming a cropper.
Seller_77IcbQKVGdZo0
My post office use to tell me there were a few grams tolerance as there are small discrepancies in weighing scales. So being a couple of grams over will probably be okay.
That said I weigh my parcels before and after the label has been stuck on. Very occasionally I will be a couple of grams over when the label has been stuck on so I will end up taking the Amazon despatch note out and cutting the top and bottom of it to get back to 100 grams or less!
Seller_ZjZ4slOF0jHpk
Or as I’ve done, bought a lighter (70gsm) paper for slips (or just not include one). Got calendars + envelope that are just around the 250g mark. Drives me crazy.
Seller_77IcbQKVGdZo0
The lighter paper is a good idea thanks for that tip!
I have a lot of larger cards which with the packing slip in are just a gram or so over the 100 grams so anything I can do to keep the weight down is good.
Seller_IotgWgSZV4UrT
I can’t see how RM could use really tight tolerances.
Something like a cardboard box or envelope could soak up a few grammes of water if stored in a humid environment.
Seller_77IcbQKVGdZo0
Not sure how tight the tolerances are but I had a non delivery a few months back due to a customer not wanting to pay a surcharge on the item.
When I got it back it weighed 104 grams so only just over. Ever since then I have been very cautious about not exceeding the 100 gram limit.
Seller_Iti0OkAyMPN7I
I print packing slips on Thermal Paper via receipt printer they weigh next to nothing and also don’t add to the thickness of the package 
Seller_LKjg1QRrO36Yq
It was a lot easier in the days when RM prices were graduated by weight increments of 50g.
There wasn’t such a shocking price hike from sub-101g to 101g+… .
Seller_ZjZ4slOF0jHpk
When you take items to the PO, they weigh them. Then stick on a fairly large printed stamp and if international (and not done already), a customs form. So there must be tolerances/allowances.
Seller_voW9gFQs6cI1A
Hi,
Its the total weight of the package inc all labels, I know sometimes people get away with a few g over but I’ve had Royal Mail try to swindle me on lots of occasions by saying the weights are way over what they are for example I sell a pack of pens that weigh 148 when packaged I declare its 150 (I always add 2g to every LL) and Royal Mail tried to tell me they weighed it at 296g, I get on average 10 items a month the weigh incorrectly which just so happens that it then pushes the average weight into the next bracket and I also the get the fees they charge.
so basically I would not risk it
Regards
Seller_higsVM28W06Yt
Large Letters have a maximum length of 353mm x 250mm with a depth of no more than 25mm. And weigh no more than 750g .
You are covered to 750g on Large Letter. Source Royal Mail.
