Shipping adjustment charges are USPS postage corrections applied when the actual package weight, dimensions, or package type differ from the information entered when the shipping label was purchased.
Use the table of contents below to navigate to specific sections of this article:
- What Are Shipping Adjustments
- View and Export Your Shipping Adjustments
- Review Your Shipping Adjustments
- What Happens If USPS Owes You a Credit
- Why Do Shipping Adjustments Happen
- Understanding Dimensional Weight
- How to Reduce Shipping Adjustments
- FAQs
What Are Shipping Adjustments?
When you purchase a shipping label through CommentSold, you provide details such as the package weight, dimensions, and package type. USPS verifies these details during package processing.
If USPS finds that the actual package differs from the information provided, it may adjust the postage. These adjustments can result in either:
- A charge if the actual postage cost is higher than what was originally paid.
- A credit if the original postage payment was higher than the actual cost.
USPS uses its Automated Package Verification (APV) system to identify discrepancies in package details.
Note: Shipping adjustments are postage corrections owed to USPS. CommentSold does not add an additional fee or profit from these adjustments.
View and Export Your Shipping Adjustments
If you have any pending shipping adjustments, you'll see a banner at the top of your CommentSold dashboard.
You can select Review Shipping Adjustments to jump to your Shipping Adjustment page or follow the below steps.
- Select Setup in the side menu of your CommentSold dashboard.
- Select My Invoices from the options listed at the top of the page.
- Select Adjustments from the sub-options listed at the top of the page.
- Select Generate CSV at the bottom left corner of the page.
Review Your Shipping Adjustments
You can examine detailed information regarding shipping adjustments in your Shipping Adjustments table.
If you wish to apply a filter, such as viewing only processed adjustments or adjustments incurred during a specific date range, select Filters in the top-right corner of the table.
Below is a list of all the boxes and columns on your Shipping Adjustments table.
- Unprocessed Adjustments As Of. Displays the time frame of the unprocessed shipping adjustments.
- GMV. Displays the Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of the orders associated with the current adjustments.
- Label Adjustments. Displays the total amount to be debited or credited for the listed adjustments. CommentSold will charge your card on file. Cards will be charged on Fridays if a balance is due and no prepaid shipping credit is available.
- Ship Date. Displays the ship date for the package.
- Tracking Number. Displays the tracking number assigned to the label that had its postage adjusted by USPS.
- Stated Weight. Displays the package weight you or your team entered in CommentSold.
- Actual Weight. Displays the reported package weight after official inspection by USPS.
- Stated Dimensions. Displays the package dimensions you or your team entered in CommentSold.
- Actual Dimensions. Displays the reported package dimensions after official inspection by USPS.
- Adjustment. Displays the amount you owe or are owed after an official USPS inspection of the package. Amounts in RED represent a balance you owe, and amounts in GREEN represent a credit CommentSold will apply to your shipping credit balance.
You can expand a specific adjustment by selecting the drop-down arrow to the left of the Ship Date. This reveals additional information:
- Customer. Displays the name of the customer who is due to receive the package. Customer names appear hyperlinked, allowing you to navigate to the customer record quickly.
- Label Purchase Log. Displays the name of the team member who purchased the label and the products included in the order.
What Happens If USPS Owes You a Credit?
If USPS determines that you overpaid for a shipping label, CommentSold adds the resulting credit to your shipping credit balance on Fridays.
Why Do Shipping Adjustments Happen?
Shipping adjustments commonly occur when the package information entered during label purchase does not match the information USPS records.
Common causes include:
- Incorrect package weight.
- Incorrect package dimensions.
- Incorrect package type.
- Packages that require dimensional weight pricing.
- Oversized poly mailers that require dimensions.
Understanding Dimensional Weight
USPS may use dimensional weight (DIM weight) to calculate postage for qualifying packages.
For boxes larger than 1,728 cubic inches (Length × Width × Height), you may need to provide package dimensions.
The USPS dimensional-weight formula is:
(Length × Width × Height) ÷ 166
You are charged based on whichever is greater: the package's actual weight or dimensional weight.
Poly Mailer Dimensions
Poly mailers may also require dimensions in certain situations.
For a poly mailer:
- The combined length and width cannot exceed 36 inches.
- The largest dimension cannot exceed 18 inches.
If a poly mailer exceeds these limits, enter the package dimensions when purchasing the label.
If you use poly mailers as your standard package type, select Is Poly Mailer? in Package Preferences to make this the default. You can then enter 0 for each dimension.
How to Reduce Shipping Adjustments
You may not be able to eliminate shipping adjustments completely, but accurate package information can help reduce them.
Follow these recommendations:
- Weigh packages accurately. Weigh each size or variation of an item when possible.
- Enter dimensions for large boxes. Add dimensions for boxes larger than 1,728 cubic inches.
- Measure qualifying poly mailers. Enter dimensions when the combined length and width exceeds 36 inches or the largest dimension exceeds 18 inches.
- Use the correct package type. Make sure the package type selected in CommentSold matches the package you are actually using.
FAQs
Will I be charged for shipping adjustments?
You can be charged or credited for shipping adjustments when shipping labels are purchased through CommentSold.
Adjustments may also appear in CommentSold when you use ShipStation, Shippo, or send orders back to Shopify.
When are shipping adjustment charges processed?
CommentSold processes shipping adjustment charges on Fridays when you have a balance due and no available prepaid shipping credit.
What happens if my card is declined?
The unpaid adjustment balance rolls forward and is charged the following week if the payment method is successfully processed.
What happens if I am owed a shipping refund?
The credit from USPS is added to your CommentSold shipping credit balance on Fridays.
Why do I see values in the Actual Dimensions column if I did not enter dimensions?
USPS may record package measurements during processing even when dimensions were not required to purchase the original label.
For example, a package may have its dimensions recorded by USPS even if it did not qualify for dimensional-weight pricing.
Do I need to enter dimensions for every package?
No. Dimensions are primarily required when the package type and size require them for accurate postage calculation.
Large boxes and certain poly mailers require dimensions to ensure the correct postage is calculated.
Can I avoid all shipping adjustment charges?
No. Shipping adjustments cannot always be avoided because USPS makes the final determination based on the package it receives.
However, entering accurate weights, dimensions, and package types can significantly reduce incorrect postage adjustments.