5 ms·

No explanation as to why USPS picked this particular weight limit?

causi 4y ago
Possibly it's the calculated limit of some type of package-handling machinery. Maybe it's more interesting, like the original planned limit was 7kg and somebody in the editorial chain mistakenly thought the conversion rate was 10lbs/kg.
deleted 4y ago
[deleted]
skittlebrau 4y ago
Looks like that’s the max weight for any package.
- pclmulqdq 4y ago
  The large flat rate box has the same max weight, I think. Also, other packages are technically charged by weight but with a floor based on size of the package called "dimensional weight." Over ~70 lbs I think you need to pay a premium or use a different service.
blamazon 4y ago
I believe it is connected to the requirement that mail carriers regularly lift things of 70 pounds maximum weight. A parcel heavier would therefore be a two-person lift and not conducive to the lone mail carrier model generally used for USPS last mile.
- bombcar 4y ago
  There may also be a law somewhere that prevents the USPS from handling freight which ends up being defined as “box more than 70 lbs” or something.
travisjungroth 4y ago
The 70 pound limit is for all USPS packages. It would be possible to exceed that limit for the medium or large flat rate box, or a custom box. The weight limit has been raised and lowered over time. It was first 70 pounds in 1913 for nearby addresses and 70 pounds anywhere domestic in 1931. It was lowered in 1952, but has been 70 pounds since 1983. Source: https://about.usps.com/who/profile/history/universal-service-postal-monopoly-history.htm#_end29 https://about.usps.com/who/profile/history/universal-service... That doesn’t exactly answer why. Based on that page, the answer is the same as for most things like this: a complex mix of government, commercial and logistical factors decided by committee. There doesn’t appear to be a “fun fact” answer like “most postal workers after WW2 were infantry veterans and the limit was set to be the same as a crate of ammunition”.
- travisjungroth 4y ago
  Correction: the first time it was 70 pounds for nearby was 1918.

Possibly it's the calculated limit of some type of package-handling machinery. Maybe it's more interesting, like the original planned limit was 7kg and somebody in the editorial chain mistakenly thought the conversion rate was 10lbs/kg.

deleted 4y ago

[deleted]

skittlebrau 4y ago

Looks like that’s the max weight for any package.

pclmulqdq 4y ago
The large flat rate box has the same max weight, I think. Also, other packages are technically charged by weight but with a floor based on size of the package called "dimensional weight." Over ~70 lbs I think you need to pay a premium or use a different service.

blamazon 4y ago

I believe it is connected to the requirement that mail carriers regularly lift things of 70 pounds maximum weight. A parcel heavier would therefore be a two-person lift and not conducive to the lone mail carrier model generally used for USPS last mile.

bombcar 4y ago
There may also be a law somewhere that prevents the USPS from handling freight which ends up being defined as “box more than 70 lbs” or something.

travisjungroth 4y ago

The 70 pound limit is for all USPS packages. It would be possible to exceed that limit for the medium or large flat rate box, or a custom box. The weight limit has been raised and lowered over time. It was first 70 pounds in 1913 for nearby addresses and 70 pounds anywhere domestic in 1931. It was lowered in 1952, but has been 70 pounds since 1983. Source: https://about.usps.com/who/profile/history/universal-service-postal-monopoly-history.htm#_end29 https://about.usps.com/who/profile/history/universal-service... That doesn’t exactly answer why. Based on that page, the answer is the same as for most things like this: a complex mix of government, commercial and logistical factors decided by committee. There doesn’t appear to be a “fun fact” answer like “most postal workers after WW2 were infantry veterans and the limit was set to be the same as a crate of ammunition”.

travisjungroth 4y ago
Correction: the first time it was 70 pounds for nearby was 1918.