Billing & AccountCarrier adjustments explained
Why a carrier might charge more after you've shipped, how to read an adjustment, and how to avoid or dispute one.
On this page
An adjustment is an extra charge a carrier applies after your package has shipped, usually because the package was heavier, bigger or different from what was entered when the label was bought. Adjustments are set by the carrier (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL Express and others), not by Octoship — we just pass them along at cost and show you exactly why.
Why adjustments happen
Carriers run packages through automated equipment that weighs and measures them in transit. USPS calls its program Automated Package Verification; UPS, FedEx and DHL Express audit packages in their sorting hubs. If what the machine sees doesn't match the label, the postage is recalculated.
- Weight — the package weighs more than what was entered.
- Dimensions — the package is larger than entered, which can trigger dimensional weight pricing.
- Package type — for example, a rigid box was entered as a soft envelope.
- Address correction — UPS, FedEx and DHL Express charge a fee to correct an incomplete or wrong address.
- Duplicate use — the same label was shipped more than once.
Understanding dimensional weight
Big, light packages cost carriers space in their trucks, so they're priced by size as well as weight. The carrier calculates a dimensional weight and charges whichever is higher: that or the actual weight.
| Carrier | When it applies | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| USPS | Packages over 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches) | L × W × H ÷ 166 |
| UPS | All packages | L × W × H ÷ 139 (most accounts) |
| FedEx | All packages | L × W × H ÷ 139 (most accounts) |
| DHL Express | All international shipments | L × W × H ÷ 139 (inches/lb) |
Example: a 14×12×10 inch box is 1,680 cubic inches. On UPS or FedEx, that's a dimensional weight of about 12.1 lb, rounded up to 13 lb — even if the contents only weigh 3 lb.
How to read an adjustment
Adjustments show up on the Billing → Adjustments page and on the shipment itself. Each one lists what you entered, what the carrier measured, and the difference in price.
ScreenshotHow to avoid adjustments
- 1Weigh every package
Weigh the sealed package, including the box and packing material. Don't estimate from the product weight alone.
- 2Measure after packing
Boxes bulge. Measure the packed box at its widest points and round up to the next whole inch.
- 3Pick the right package type
Use the soft envelope option only for poly mailers and padded envelopes that actually flex.
- 4Keep presets honest
If you use package presets, re-check the weight when your product or packaging changes.
What Octoship does on your behalf
We don't add fees or markups to adjustments — you pay exactly what the carrier charges, no more. We also review incoming adjustments for obvious carrier errors, like a measured weight that's impossibly high for the package type, and flag those for review before they're charged.
Adjustments for prepaid accounts are deducted from your balance. If you pay per label, they're charged to your card on file, grouped into a single daily charge rather than one per package.
Disputing an adjustment
If you believe an adjustment is wrong — for example, you weighed the package and have a photo of the scale — you can dispute it. Open the adjustment and click Dispute, then attach a photo of the package on the scale and with a tape measure if possible. We submit the dispute to the carrier for you.
Still have questions about a specific adjustment? Send us a message with the tracking number and we'll take a look.
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