UPS Over Maximum Limits fee explained [+ 7 tips to avoid]

The UPS Over Maximum Limits fee has increased by over 2,460% since 2014.

Along with the steep price increase, the bad news is that a small misstep can lead to huge additional charges. Imagine shipping a package and going about your day as usual, only to be hit with a budget-busting four-figure invoice.

The good news is that avoiding the Over Maximum Limits fee is straightforward if you know where to look and what to check. As fulfillment specialists for heavy and large shipments, we understand all the nuances of this surcharge because we’ve seen it all in practice over the last 12 years.

In this guide, we’ll explore the common mistakes that trigger the Overmax fee and share seven practical tips to avoid it.

TL;DR:

Key takeaways

UPS size and weight limits for parcel shipping are 150 lbs in weight, 108” in length, and 165” in combined length and girth.

If a shipment exceeds those limits, UPS will decline to ship it through their small-package delivery network.

If a package exceeds UPS’ maximum limits and is found in their parcel network, it will incur the Over Maximum Limits fee (aka Overmax).

The Overmax fee is a flat $1,325 per package.

What you’ll learn

What the UPS Over Maximum Limits fee is

How it’s triggered

The cost of the surcharge for domestic and international shipping

Seven tips to avoid the Overmax fee, even when your package is close to UPS’ size and weight limits

PRO TIP: Running an ecommerce business that ships oversized packages? Red Stag Fulfillment can help. Learn more about our 3PL services for big, heavy, and bulky shipments today.

What is the UPS Over Maximum Limits charge?

The UPS Over Maximum Limits charge is a fee applied to packages that exceed UPS’ absolute size and weight limits for parcel shipping.

Also known as the Overmax charge, this fee is a part of UPS’ strategy to divert oversized packages to their freight network. The surcharge is triggered if a package meets ANY of the following criteria:

Actual weight exceeds 150 lbs

Length exceeds 108”

Combined length and girth* exceed 165”

NOTE: To calculate your package’s combined length and girth, double the sum of width and height, and add length. For example, if your package measures 20” x 15” x 10”, the combined length and girth is 70” (2*(15” + 10”) + 20”).

How much is the UPS Overmax fee?

The Overmax fee (aka OLM) is a flat $1,325 per package for domestic shipments.

For packages on international routes, the base surcharge is $1,375 but is subject to change based on the destination country and other shipment specifics.

The table and graph below show the historical data for the Overmax rate amounts and increases for domestic shipping from 2014 to date.

What do these escalating rates mean?

The upward rate trend means that UPS actively steers oversized shipments away from their small-parcel system and into the freight network.

Moreover, the Overmax fee surge is outpacing inflation and the general UPS rate increases, which were 5.9% on average for domestic services in 2024 and 2025. To the best of our knowledge, no other surcharge has seen such a dramatic increase over the last decade.

So, it doesn’t seem to be business as usual.

Instead, the growing Overmax rates tell a story of a company adjusting its policies to a changing market. That policy likely translates to improved efficiency in the small-package network and higher profits in the freight chain.

7 Tips to avoid the OML surcharge

The billable dimensions are based on the size of the packaged box, not the item’s dimensions.

For example, if you’re shipping a folded desk that measures 60” x 35” x 15”, these dimensions don’t exceed the size limits. When packed, however, the combined length of the box will likely trigger the Overmax surcharge.

If any of your package’s specs are close to triggering the UPS Overmax fee, packing contents into a tight-fitting box might keep the shipment’s size within the limits. For most packages, 2”-4” of padding between the box and the item is enough for solid protection.

Moreover, smaller boxes might cost less to ship, regardless of surcharges. For more tips and strategies, see our guide on shipping large boxes and oversized packages. 

Choose sturdy containers and shipping boxes over soft bags and sacks whenever possible, especially for large packages. Fixed dimensions will allow you to predict the shipping costs and avoid surprise fees.

If your shipment can change shape depending on position, it can also change dimensions. Let’s assume you’re shipping a large bean bag chair. Typically, the bean bag chair measures 40” x 30” x 30”, which is within the UPS size limits.

At the UPS checkpoints, however, the bean bag chair might be squished down flat. In this position, the filling will redistribute, so the new dimensions of your shipment might be 30” x 40” x 35”.

RESULT: This “small” change will trigger the Overmax surcharge because your shipment’s combined length and girth will be 180”.

Even a sturdy package can change dimensions in transit if it sustains damage or flexes outwardly. The change in size can come from something as simple as a cardboard bulge.

When the UPS system flags a package as “Over Maximum Limits,” an employee will probably double-check it manually. The physical audit might fix a loose string or tape, but it probably won’t deal with protruding parts and bent boxes.

So, ensure everything on your package is tight, rigid, and secure.

If any of your package’s dimensions are nearing the UPS size limits but don’t exceed them, take photos as you measure the package. Do this in a way that shows the beginning and end points of the measuring tape.

The photos might prove your package’s actual size if the UPS Overmax charge is triggered by mistake.

Still, if your package is flagged as Overmax because it changed dimensions in transit, the photo of the initial size probably won’t help you avoid surcharges. 

If you suspect that your package might incur the Overmax charge, print the label and take your package to a UPS store.

If possible, stay at the location as they scan and measure the package. Getting a confirmation of the package dimensions as recognized by the UPS system lowers the risk of surprise fees.

Plus, if you establish that a minor issue, like loose tape, pushes your package into the surcharge zone, you can problem-solve on the spot.

Splitting the oversized package into multiple smaller shipments might allow you to send them through the UPS parcel network instead of paying the freight rates, which are typically higher.

Still, you’ll need to assess whether this makes financial sense from a shipping and operational costs perspective.

FAQs about the Over Maximum Limit fee

The following questions and answers provide insights into Overmax rationale, comparisons with other size-related fees, and effective strategies for avoiding extra costs. 

Why did UPS introduce the Overmax surcharge?

UPS introduced the Overmax surcharge to deter shippers from using the small-parcel network to send (or try to send) packages that belong in freight.

Oversized packages cost much more to process. If these bulky shipments end up in the parcel transport chain, UPS will pass the additional costs to the shipper through the Overmax charge.  

How does the Overmax fee compare to other size-related UPS surcharges?

The three key size- and weight-related surcharges in the UPS system are:
• Additional Handling surcharge
• Large Package surcharge
• Over Maximum Limits surcharge

The main differences between these charges are: trigger points, amounts, and fee application (flat-rate vs. varying). We’ll break down each difference.  

What is the difference in trigger points?

The tables below show the trigger points for each surcharge by key criteria–weight, length, and combined length and girth.

What is the difference in amounts?

At $1,325, the Overmax surcharge is much higher than the Additional Handling and Large Package fees.

Depending on fee triggers and shipping zones, UPS Additional Handling currently costs $25 to $53, while the UPS Large Package surcharge ranges from $205 to $297.5.

What is the difference in amounts?

At $1,325, the Overmax surcharge is much higher than the Additional Handling and Large Package fees.

Depending on fee triggers and shipping zones, UPS Additional Handling currently costs $25 to $53, while the UPS Large Package surcharge ranges from $205 to $297.5.

What is the difference in the fee application?

The Over Maximum Limits fee is applied at a fixed flat rate, regardless of other factors like shipping distance and type of transport.

On the other hand, Additional Handling fees depend on shipping zones and the specific trigger (weight or size). Finally, the Large Package surcharge varies by shipping zones and type of transport (residential or commercial).

Do the Over Maximum Limit charges apply to multiple parcels?

No, UPS’ size and weight limits only apply to individual packages. The carrier doesn’t limit the total number or weight of multiple packages.

That’s why breaking down an oversized package into multiple shipments might be an effective way to transport it.

Here’s an example to illustrate this scenario:
• If you’re sending cotton kitchen towels in a large box measuring 50” x 30” x 30”, UPS will refuse to ship it or tack on the Overmax fee.
• If you break down the shipment into boxes measuring 30” x 20” x 20” each, the shipment won’t trigger the Overmax, the Large Package, or the Additional Handling surcharge.

NOTE: Shipping rates for bulky and lightweight packages, like boxes of kitchen towels, might be based on the package’s size instead of the actual weight, which is also known as dimensional-weight pricing. To see the billable weight for your shipment, use our dimensional weight calculator.

What is a dimensional-weight shipping–a real-world example?

Let’s illustrate dimensional weight through an assumed shipment:
• Suppose you’re shipping a box of cotton kitchen towels via UPS. It weighs 40 lbs and measures 35” x 25” x 25”.
• UPS would charge for that shipment based on its dimensional weight, which is 132 lbs.
• It would cost $547.91 to ship that box from New York to Los Angeles via UPS Ground.

NOTE: This example illustrates a key point: Some bulky packages with high dimensional weight might cost less to transport via freight. Even if the shipment doesn’t trigger the Overmax charge with UPS, a specialized freight company might charge less than major carriers. The only surefire way to compare the two transport options is to use the UPS calculator for shipping-cost estimates and contact the carriers for a freight quote.

Can you appeal or dispute Overmax charges?

Yes, you can dispute the Overmax charge, but it’s a lengthy process. To pinpoint the issue, you’ll need to ask UPS for scans and evidence of potential manual checks by their employees.

In practice, you have a better chance of disputing the charge if the dimensions in the UPS system are off significantly (compared to what you measured). That’s because significant discrepancies might indicate a mistake or a system error.

EXAMPLE: The UPS automated system might recognize a 10” piece of loose tape as the edge of the package. So, a box that you measured to be 30” x 20” x 40” might show up in the UPS system as 30” x 20” x 50”, which triggers the Overmax fee. Still, there are no guarantees that you’ll successfully dispute the charge in this scenario, but your odds improve.

On the other hand, if your and UPS’ measured dimensions are close, the surcharge was probably triggered by a change in the package’s specifications. In this scenario, your chances of successfully disputing the Overmax charge are low.

Will the UPS calculator show the OML fee?

No, the UPS calculator will not show the Overmax charge.

If the maximum size and weight are exceeded, the UPS calculator typically shows an error specifying which limits are breached.

Is the charge unique to UPS?

No, the Over Maximum Limits charge is not unique to UPS. Other major carriers also have surcharges designed to keep oversized packages out of the small-parcel system.

FedEx has the Ground Unauthorized Package Charge, which practically mirrors the UPS Overmax fee in criteria, amounts, and historical progression.

On the other hand, USPS has the Oversize / Overweight Item charge, which applies a lower fee and has slightly different limits.

Benefit from volume-based discounts through smart partnerships

If you’re an ecommerce business shipping large packages, a single surcharge like the UPS Overmax can erase weeks’ worth of profits.

Joining forces with an experienced 3PL provider like Red Stag Fulfillment nips that problem in the bud.

We specialize in handling big, heavy, and bulky packages, which allows us to negotiate volume-based discounts with UPS and other carriers. Consider partnering with us to benefit from those discounts, streamline your fulfillment, and avoid hidden fees.

Contact us today for a custom quote.