Carrier adjustments can catch you off guard. These are extra charges the carrier assesses and adds to your shipping cost when something falls outside standard conditions, most often incorrect measurements, address issues, or packaging problems. Here's how to keep them from eating into your margins.
Understanding carrier adjustments
A carrier adjustment is an additional charge the carrier assesses for something outside standard shipping conditions. It helps the carrier cover the extra operational cost of processing your shipment, whether that's extra handling, a delivery challenge, or an unusual package.
To learn more about common and carrier-specific adjustments, see Understanding Carrier Adjustments in Shippo.
Avoiding carrier adjustments: exact measurements matter
Inaccurate measurements cause more carrier adjustments than almost anything else. A few habits go a long way:
- Measure more than once. Check your weight and dimensions twice to make sure they're right before you buy a label.
- Round up your dimensions. Rounding up to the nearest whole unit helps you avoid the discrepancies that trigger adjustments during carrier audits.
- Calibrate your scale. Confirm your scale reads accurately before you weigh a package.
- Check the carrier's restrictions. Each carrier publishes its own service restrictions and dimensional limits. A quick check before you choose a service can save you an unexpected adjustment later.
Avoiding address-related carrier adjustments
Verifying the recipient's address before you ship is the easiest way to avoid address-related adjustments. Typos or missing information can trigger an address correction fee.
- If you're shipping to a business at a shared address, include a suite number, not just the business name.
- If you're not sure an address is right, run it through an address validation tool before you create the label.
Carrier adjustments from packaging issues
Packaging-related adjustments show up when a package doesn't meet a carrier's packaging or handling requirements. Watch for these:
- Size: Keep your dimensions within the carrier's minimum and maximum limits.
- Weight: Stay within the acceptable weight range. Packages that exceed the limit can trigger extra charges.
- Shape: Skip irregularly shaped packages, like tubes, L-shaped boxes, or boxes taped together, that can't move through automated conveyor systems.
- Materials: Carriers audit packages multiple times in transit, so use durable materials that hold their shape the whole way.
- Special handling: A "fragile" label can mean extra handling, which may bring its own adjustment depending on the carrier's policy.
- Legibility: Keep your shipping label clear and readable. An unreadable label may need relabeling, which adds a charge.
Helpful resources:
How to measure a box correctly
Measuring accurately is the single best way to avoid dimension-related adjustments.
| Note on internal dimensions: The dimensions printed on a box are usually its internal measurements, and they can differ from what the carrier audits in transit. |
Follow these steps:
- Length: Measure the longest side of the box from the opening.
- Width: Measure the shorter side of the box at the opening.
- Depth (height): Measure the depth or height of the box from the opening.
Carriers typically list box dimensions in millimeters, in this order:
Length x width x depth (height)
Example: 800 mm x 400 mm x 100 mm
For more guidance on measuring shipments accurately, USPS has an informative video.
Getting your measurements right, verifying addresses, and packaging carefully will cut down the surprise charges and keep your shipping costs predictable. For carrier-specific detail, check the individual carrier's documentation or read Understanding Carrier Adjustments in Shippo.