Effective Aug. 18, 2025: FedEx now rounds any fractional inch up to the next whole inch for each package dimension before calculating dimensional (DIM) and billable weight. UPS adopted the same rule the same day.

What this means

• Old: Sub-half-inch fractions often rounded down for length, width, and height.
• New: Any dimensional fraction rounds up (for example, 11.1 inches becomes 12 inches).
• Result: Cubic inches increase, so dimensional weight will exceed scale weight and be used to caclulate billable weight more often. 
• Billable weight: Carriers continue to round any fractional pound up to the next whole pound.

Quick math

• 11.1 x 8.1 x 4.1 inches → 12 x 9 x 5 inches = 540 cubic inches
• DIM: 540 ÷ 139 = 3.88 pounds → billed 4 pounds

Enterprise shippers (under contract)

• Assume it applies: The new measurement rule is part of baseline service; most contract discounts apply after DIM math. Check your agreement for any exceptions.
• Where contracts can help: Large-volume shippers sometimes negotiate a higher DIM divisor or targeted surcharge relief.
• DIM divsor: The DIM divsor set by major carriers is typically 139. Higher divsors, sometimes 166+, are secured by large, enterprise accounts causing prices to go down at scale.

Annual impact and what to do

• Small changes add up: Rounding-driven increases across tens or hundreds of thousands of parcels compound into a meaningful annual spend increase.
• Right-size packaging: Shift to tighter cartons or mailers to reduce void and cubic inches.
• Audit and forecast: Remeasure top items under the “round up each side” rule, update warehouse management systems and label settings, and model before-and-after costs.

Contact your Atlantic sales consultant to discuss right-sizing technology. Atlantic’s Packaging Solution Center experts can support package redesign and testing!

We now offer microbiological testing at our facility in the Dominican Republic!

Microorganisms such as bacteria, molds, and yeasts have the potential to contaminate your products. It’s important that your packaging protects against threats that are difficult or even impossible to see with just the human eye.

We’re always searching for additional ways to provide value for our partners, and investing in testing equipment and training for microbiological research to meet strict industry standards is a testament to this. The laboratory is an amazing supplement to our testing capabilities.

Radilenni Beriguete, Microbiology Laboratory Supervisor, brings a wealth of knowledge and many years of experience to the Atlantic team. She oversees operations at the lab and manages a team of scientists that are trusted by the world’s largest brands to carry out virtually any type of microbiological analysis. The facility has the capacity of processing approximately 100 samples per shift on most analyses!

Clients that utilize the facility will be guaranteed efficient, secure testing. The top-of-the-line lab is in accordance with the P&G analytical laboratory design standard, it adheres to ISO 9001: 2015 quality management systems standards, and the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration of laboratories.

We are so excited to add this valuable resource to our business offerings. The lab increases our contract manufacturing capabilities, saves our clients’ time and money, and opens us up to new business opportunities with customers interested in advanced packaging research and testing.