In the US, postal services calculate postage for letters and parcels based on weight. Letters are often priced according to specific weight brackets, while packets are similarly priced in tiers. If a letter or packet exceeds the standard weight for its category, additional fees are applied. Accurate weighing ensures that customers are charged correctly by weight, and that overweight fees are charged for any excess weight. This process is often fulfilled using high accuracy bench scales, with larger items weighed on deck scales.

While many sorting offices will use standalone postal, bench or deck scales, it is also possible to speed up the process by weighing as they pass through automated processes. Our weigh legs solution is a bolt on weighing system that can turn any conveyor system into an in-motion weighing system – allowing sorting offices to weigh letters and parcels as part of the sorting process. Forklift scales and truck scales are also ideal for weighing letters and parcels as part of ongoing logistics processes.

When sending letters and packets internationally, weight information is required for customs declarations and to comply with international postal agreements. Customer declared weights are checked at the sorting office, ensuring correct billing, avoiding underpayments, and ensuring that surcharges are applied when necessary.

For businesses using prepaid postage, postal scales or bench scales can be used in conjunction with franking systems to ensure that the correct amount of postage is paid, based on the weight of each letter or packet. Checkweighers or counting scales can also be used to check the weight of letter bundles or bulk mailers.

Truck scales, cargo scales and forklift scales can be used to help balance loads across different transport modes, optimizing fuel efficiency, reducing transportation costs and avoiding the impact of overloading.