Mailing Large Envelopes
Large envelopes can be used to transport marketing materials, legal documents, and magazines. However, these items must be mailed according to USPS guidelines to ensure the mail is delivered without being lost or misdirected. In addition to providing guidelines, USPS also has specific rates and weight requirements for these mail pieces. If you’re mailing anything larger than a letter, you may want to use First-Class Mail. This will provide faster delivery, but it is also more expensive. Depending on the size and weight of your mailing, the postage rate will increase in 20-cent increments.
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There are two classes of large envelopes: flats and conformer envelopes. Flats are letters that are larger than six inches and less than one-quarter inch thick. They must be rectangular. They are also considered non-machinable.
Conformer envelopes are durable and sturdy envelopes. They have a tight seal that prevents items from shifting in the mail. They are usually made from stiff paperboard. These envelopes are great for shipping large, heavy items. They are available in a variety of sizes, including 6″ x 11″, 9.5″ x 14.5″, and 10″ x 13.”, among others.
To be considered large, your envelope must be more than 12″ x 15″ in length and more than 3/4″ thick. It must also be uniform in thickness. Rigid mail pieces, such as postcards, are not allowed. A rigid mailing is not flexible enough to go through the postal sorting equipment. Regardless of the size of the mail piece, if it is not machinable, it will be charged a 21-cent postal fee.
For a flat, the USPS sets a maximum weight limit of thirteen ounces. If you exceed this amount, you will have to pay an extra fifteen cents for each ounce above the weight limit. When sending a flat, you’ll need to put at least three Forever stamps on the outside. The first Forever stamp will account for the first ounce of the envelope’s weight. Each additional ounce will cost you 20 cents.
To learn more about the USPS’s specific rates and weight requirements for large envelopes, visit the USPS Price List Page. You can also consult the document on Non-Machinable Characteristics. After you’ve followed all of the guidelines, your letter should be mailed successfully.
As with all of the USPS’s mailing standards, the weight and dimensions of your parcel will affect the cost of the postage. For example, if the envelope weighs more than one ounce, you will have to pay a higher postage rate. All of the guidelines are designed to make sure your mail is addressed properly and does not get lost or returned. Following these guidelines will also help avoid sending your mail to the wrong address.
The USPS also has separate standards for envelopes that carry DVDs and CDs. If you’re mailing these items, make sure to check the limits before sending them. Also, make sure that your envelope is padded. Although the USPS’s standards for flats and large envelopes are relatively similar, there are some special considerations for parcels.