Shipping scales sit right at the money line: they’re the last checkpoint before a parcel hits the carrier and a postage charge hits your budget. Whether you’re running one packing bench or a full-blown fulfillment operation, the right shipping scale makes sure you’re not underpaying (and getting packages bounced back) or overpaying (and eroding your margins). On Hogentogler, shipping scales range from ultra-compact letter scales to rugged, large-platform units that can handle 400 lb parcels, with interfaces tailored for UPS, FedEx, USPS, and enterprise shipping software. This guide walks through how to choose the right shipping scale based on capacity, readability, platform size, and connectivity—so your labels and invoices actually match reality.
Match the scale’s capacity to your heaviest typical parcel; Hogentogler’s shipping scales run from about 12 lb up to 400 lb, with dual-range models reaching 300 lb.
Readability spans from 0.0005 lb for small items to 0.5 lb for heavier boxes—pick the resolution that matches your tolerance and carrier rules.
Platform sizes range from roughly 11"×12" letter platforms to large 24"×24" and 35.4"×23.6" decks for bulkier cartons.
Many models integrate directly with UPS WorldShip, FedEx Ship Manager, USPS-style software, and ERP systems via USB, RS-232, Ethernet, or USB HID/Virtual COM.
Construction and workload matter: choose compact ABS for light office use, or cast aluminum/steel and roller/ball tops for high-throughput docks.
Shipping scales are purpose-built to live at the intersection of weight, postage, and workflow. Unlike generic bench scales, they’re tuned for parcel dimensions and shipping software integration, with capacities, resolutions, and communication protocols that match carrier requirements. Hogentogler’s Shipping Scales lineup includes everything from small 20 lb letter scales to 400 lb platforms from Ohaus, Brecknell, Fairbanks, Avery Weigh-Tronix, Mettler Toledo, and Tree—each with slightly different strengths for different operations.
Start with what you actually ship. On this category page, typical capacities include:
Small parcels and letters: 12–30 lb (e.g., Ohaus Courier 5000 at 12 lb, Courier 7000 at 30 lb, PS-USB-30 at 30 lb)
Everyday e-commerce boxes: 60–150 lb (e.g., many 70, 100, 150 lb models across Ohaus Courier 1000/3000/5000/7000, Fairbanks Ultegra, Brecknell PS/PS-USB)
Heavy cartons and bulk packages: 165–400 lb (e.g., 165 lb Courier 1000, 200–250–300 lb class from Ohaus Courier 3000/5000/7000, Tree LSS-400, Ultegra Max, Avery ZP, Mettler BC150 dual-range, and multiple 400 lb platforms)
Readability (resolution) on these scales is tuned to shipping use:
Fine resolution for small items: as tight as 0.0005 lb on a 12 lb Courier 5000, and 0.01–0.02 lb on 20–44–30–60 lb models
Mid-range: 0.05 lb on many 60–200+ lb platforms (e.g., Courier 5000/7000, Fairbanks Ultegra, many ZP2 and Mettler BC models)
Coarser: 0.1–0.5 lb on higher-capacity options like 250–400 lb units where you don’t need sub-ounce precision
For online postage and carrier compliance, a resolution around 0.01–0.05 lb is usually ideal; for warehouse verification and “sanity checks” on heavy cartons, 0.1–0.5 lb is often sufficient. The key is to choose a scale that resolves small enough increments to catch the differences your carrier cares about—without paying for lab-style resolution you’ll never use.
The product mix on this page covers a wide range of pan sizes so you can match footprint to your typical carton:
Compact platforms (~11"–12" square): e.g., 11"×12.4" and 12"×12.4" Ohaus Courier 1000; 11.8"×11.8" PS150 Slimline; 12.3"×13.9" Mettler BC60; 11"×12.5" Brecknell GP. Ideal for small to medium boxes and mailers.
Mid-size platforms (~13"×12.6" – 16"×20.5"): many Courier 3000/5000/7000 and Tree LSS series scales in the 13"×12.6" and 14"×16" range; Mettler BC150 at 16.5"×20.5". Good for heavier cartons and polybags.
Large platforms (18"×18", 20.5"×15.7", 21"×21", 24"×24", 35.4"×23.6"): used on Ohaus Courier 3000/5000/7000 large models, Fairbanks Ultegra Max, Avery ZP218/ZP224, and some Courier 5000 XL sizes. These handle bulkier parcels, large cartons, and high-volume docks.
If your average outbound box is small, a compact platform keeps your station tight and efficient. If you routinely ship 24" cartons or oversized items, stepping up to an 18"×18", 21"×21", 24"×24", or even 35.4"×23.6" platform prevents overhang and awkward balancing acts.
The category spans build types from light office to industrial:
Lightweight ABS/compact designs (e.g., Ohaus Courier 1000, some Brecknell GP and PS series) are ideal for office mailrooms, light e-commerce, and portable use.
Bench-style metal bases with stainless-steel pans (Brecknell PS-USB, Tree LSS, many Ohaus Courier 3000/5000/7000, Fairbanks Ultegra, Mettler BC and Avery ZP units) are built for continuous operation in shipping/receiving, carrier counters, and corporate mailrooms.
Heavy-duty cast aluminum and structural steel sub-platters (e.g., Mettler BC60/BC150, Fairbanks Ultegra Max, Avery ZP2) are engineered for constant loading with overload capability and long-term durability at high volumes.
If your station sees a few dozen boxes a day, a compact design may be plenty. If you’re banging through hundreds of shipments daily or using roller/ball-top scales to slide cartons across a conveyor, prioritizing heavy-duty construction, overload protection, and industrial-grade load cells is the smart move.
This is where dedicated shipping scales really earn their keep. Many of the models on this page are explicitly designed to talk directly to carrier and manifesting software:
USB (including USB HID and USB Virtual COM): common on Brecknell GP and PS-USB series, Mettler BC60/BC150, Avery ZP2, and multiple Ohaus Courier 5000/7000 models. These support UPS WorldShip, FedEx Ship Manager, DHL EasyShip, USPS-style software, and point-of-sale environments.
RS-232 serial: widely available across Brecknell, Avery ZP, Mettler BC, and Courier 5000/7000 units for legacy systems, label printers, and industrial controllers.
Ethernet: found on selected Mettler BC and Avery/Mettler high-end models, plus optional kits on Ohaus Courier 7000 for network connectivity.
Bluetooth and wireless: available on certain Mettler BC and Avery ZP configurations as well as selected Courier 7000 options, for mobile or cart-based setups.
If you just need a scale to read and then manually type weights into shipping software, any basic model works. But if you want to eliminate typing errors and speed throughput, choose a model that explicitly lists compatibility with UPS WorldShip, FedEx Ship Manager, etc., or offers NCI-style emulation, USB HID keyboard wedge, or USB VCP modes.
Across the category you’ll see a common set of shipping-focused features:
Multi-unit weighing (lb, lb:oz, kg) for different carrier preferences and documentation.
Hold or Display Hold modes to capture the weight of large boxes that obscure the display.
Dynamic or animal weighing modes on several Ohaus Courier series for small-animal vet use or “moving” packages.
Weight Alert™ or “too heavy” alarms (Courier 5000/7000) to warn when parcels exceed specified limits.
Basic counting modes (e.g., Brecknell PS, some BC series) for verifying counts in boxes during receiving or kitting.
Auto-zero tracking and auto-off to maintain clean readings and conserve battery power.
The further you move from “just weigh it” to “integrated shipping station,” the more those extras start to matter.
Several shipping scales on this page are designed specifically for legal-for-trade use (e.g., Mettler BC, some Avery ZP2 and Fairbanks Ultegra configurations, and PS-USB where NTEP is pending or available on certain models). If you're charging customers by weight or operating in a carrier/retail environment where weights must be certifiable, choosing a unit with NTEP, Measurement Canada, or OIML approval—and pairing it with proper installation and local sealing—is essential. For internal verification, cost control, and non-billing use, non-NTEP models can be perfectly appropriate and more economical.
Because shipping scales live at the heart of the packing bench, ergonomics and layout are worth considering:
For tight packing stations, compact bench scales like Brecknell GP/PS, Ohaus Courier 1000/3000, or Tree LSS keep footprints small but still support 100–200 lb parcels.
For conveyor or roller systems, ball-top and roller-top versions from Fairbanks Ultegra Max and Mettler BC150 allow cartons to slide across without lifting.
Dual-range platforms (like the BC150 150/300 lb models) provide higher resolution at lower weights and still handle very heavy parcels when needed.
Remote or adjustable-angle displays (common on Ohaus Courier, Brecknell PS, Mettler BC, Avery ZP) let you mount readouts at operator eye level or customer-facing.
Design the station so the scale is at a comfortable height, the display is visible while taping and labeling, and cables are routed away from foot traffic and carts.
Capacity range needed: from ~20–30 lb up to 150, 250, 300, or 400 lb
Readability: from fine (0.0005–0.02 lb) for small parcels to 0.05–0.5 lb for heavy boxes
Platform size: compact 11"×12"–14"×12", mid 13"×12.6"–16.5"×20.5", or large 18"×18", 21"×21", 24"×24", 35.4"×23.6"
Construction: ABS for light duty vs cast aluminum/steel and stainless pans for heavy use
Software compatibility: UPS/FedEx/DHL/USPS integration, NCI emulation, USB HID/VCP or RS-232
Power: AC adapter included, with battery or USB power for portable or backup use
Features: hold, dynamic weighing, Weight Alert™, basic counting, auto-off
Compliance: NTEP or other approvals if using weights for billing or retail
What capacity shipping scale should I buy?
Choose a capacity comfortably above your heaviest typical parcel—if most of your boxes are under 70 lb but you occasionally hit 120–150 lb, a 150 or 200 lb scale is a solid choice. For very heavy parcels or dense products, step up to 250–400 lb platforms.
How precise does my shipping scale need to be?
For most parcel carriers, a resolution of 0.01–0.05 lb is plenty to avoid under- or over-stated postage. For small items, letters, or high-cost air shipments, the finer end (0.005–0.02 lb) is helpful; for large cartons, 0.05–0.1 lb is usually sufficient.
Do I need a scale that integrates with UPS or FedEx software?
If you ship more than a handful of packages a day, yes—it saves time and prevents typing errors. Look for models specifically labeled as UPS WorldShip, FedEx Ship Manager, DHL EasyShip, or “NCI emulation/USB HID keyboard wedge” compatible.
What’s the difference between a shipping scale and a generic bench scale?
Shipping scales are optimized for parcel sizes, carrier-friendly resolution, and connectivity to manifesting software and POS systems. Bench scales may not have the right communication protocols or rounding modes expected by shipping platforms.
When do I need a legal-for-trade shipping scale?
If you’re charging customers based on weight (e.g., retail parcel counters, pack-and-ship stores, or contract shipping services), you typically need an NTEP or equivalent approved scale installed and sealed according to local regulations. For internal cost control or warehouse use where no direct billing is tied to the reading, a non-legal-for-trade scale is acceptable.
Shipping Scales — https://www.hogentogler.com/industrial-scales/shipping-scales.asp
Postal Scales — https://www.hogentogler.com/multi-purpose-scales/postal-scales.asp
Floor Scales — https://www.hogentogler.com/industrial-scales/floor-scales.asp