What is the Maximum Letter Size Rate For Mailing?
The size of a letter determines the rate you will pay to mail it. The USPS has a series of different main categories based on the size of the piece you are mailing. Some of these categories are letters, postcards, flats, and parcels. Knowing which category your piece belongs in will help you get the most affordable mail possible.
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Generally, the USPS defines a “flat” as a rectangular or square piece of mail that is over 4 1/4 inches high and less than 3 inches wide. A letter is a piece of mail that has a dimension of more than six inches. Postcards are a smaller form of mail. These are pieces that are no more than four inches by six inches, with a thickness of 0.016 inches. Unlike postcards, a letter is mailed at a lower postage rate than a same-sized postcard.
While a letter has the same shape as a postcard, there are different rules to follow when it comes to mailing. If you are sending a letter with a wax seal, you will have to pay 85 cents for postage. On the other hand, a standard letter that is under one ounce will only cost you 55 cents of postage. However, if your letter weighs more than one ounce, you will have to pay an extra 15 cents on top of the standard postage rate.
In addition to the standard letter and postcard rates, there are also some other special postal services that you should look into when sending your mail. For example, every Door Direct Mail is a special service that allows you to mail a postcard as a letter. It is a special service that is aimed at businesses and provides a low postage rate. This is especially helpful if you are sending a large number of postcards to the same address.
Other types of mail that fall into the large envelope category are newsletters, brochures, and magazines. Each type of mail has its own set of rules and restrictions. Most newsletters will be charged at the regular rate of First Class mail, while magazines may require a nonmachinable surcharge.
One of the more confusing aspects of the USPS’s mail system is its ambiguous definition of a “parcel”. Parcels are lumpy and unruly and do not meet the minimum dimensions of a letter. To help you determine if your piece is a parcel, the USPS has created a list of the items that qualify for this type of rate.
There is also a special rate for flats. Flats are classified as pieces that are over 4 1/4 inches tall and more than 0.5 inches thick. Generally, the USPS classifies flats as letters, but certain conditions make them fall into the nonmachinable category. You can check on the nonmachinable category by using the price list page.
The USPS has an automated system for sorting letters and postcards. However, if you are mailing a letter or postcard, it is important to be sure that you are using the correct kind of postage. Because the weight of the mail piece plays a large part in determining the postage rate, it is important to understand the different sizes and rules.
