Can you put bulky items in flat rate envelope?
With Flat Rate Envelopes, bulges and thickness may not matter. Flat Rate Envelopes are best suited for documents, but if you choose to send another type of item (up to 70 pounds), it should not reconstruct or expand the envelope in any way. As long as the envelope closes within the normal folds, bulges will not matter.
Customers must affix additional postage when mailing letters weighing in excess of 1 ounce and/or letters subject to the nonmachinable surcharge or mailpieces subject to another rate of postage (e.g., large envelopes or packages).
To be eligible for mailing at the price for letters, a piece must be: Rectangular. At least 3-1/2 inches high x 5 inches long x 0.007 inch thick. No more than 6-1/8 inches high x 11-1/2 inches long x 1/4 inch thick.
The maximum size for large envelopes is 15" x 12" x 3/4" thick. The maximum weight for large envelopes is 13 ounces. A large envelope exceeding 13 ounces is classified as a Priority Mail item.
Most large envelopes containing documents that USPS delivers weigh one ounce or less. Therefore, most manila and large envelopes only require one Forever stamp to send them.
Cheapest ways to ship heavy boxes
USPS Parcel Select offers competitive commercial shipping rates on parcels up to 70 pounds. FedEx Ground also has commercial discounts with a 70-pound weight limit. For even heavier items, try UPS Ground. The service accepts packages that weigh up to 150 pounds.
Bubble Mailers and Envelopes are Considered Packages When They're 3/4 Inches Thick or More. USPS will only accept bubble mailers as packages if their total thickness is 3/4 of an inch or more. This applies not when the bubble mailer is empty, but when the contents of your shipment are inside.
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Sizes for Large Envelopes and Flats.
| Dimension | Minimum* | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 1/4 inch | 3/4 inch |
Business Mail 101
The weight of your mailpiece is an important factor in determining the postage price you pay. In general, the heavier the mailpiece, the more it costs to mail.
Unusually shaped mail, like square or vertical envelopes, lumpy envelopes, rigid envelopes, and mail with clasps, string, or buttons, must be hand-canceled. They are charged a nonmachinable surcharge even if they weigh less than 1 oz.
How thick is too thick for a letter?
To be eligible for mailing at the price for letters, a letter must be: Rectangular. At least 3½ inches high x 5 inches long x 0.007 inch thick. No more than 6⅛ inches high x 11½ inches long x ¼ inch thick.
For a mailpiece to be eligible for First-Class Mail letter rates, it must be at least 3-1/2 inches by 5 inches by 0.007-inch thick, and no more than 6-1/8 inches by 11–1/2 inches by 1/4-inch thick. If the mailpiece falls within these dimensions, it is classified as a letter. Follow these easy steps for letters: 1.
Envelopes are for sending flat, flexible things, like letters, cards, checks, forms, and other paper goods. For just 1 $0.60 First-Class Mail® Forever® stamp, you can send 1 oz (about 4 sheets of regular, 8-1/2" x 11" paper in a rectangular envelope) to anywhere in the U.S.!
If your mail piece is too long, wide, thick, or heavy in any single dimension then your mail piece does not qualify for a particular shape. If your mail does not fall into any of these categories (too short or too narrow), it is likely undeliverable as First Class Mail; your mail piece may qualify as a package.
If you are shipping something First Class that can qualify as a "letter" shipping category, the package must be 3.5 oz or less. If you are shipping something that qualifies as a flat, large envelope or a parcel, it must be 13 oz or less.
For any domestic mail piece that weighs more than one ounce, you must include additional postage along with your Forever Stamp to ensure USPS delivery. Also, you may purchase higher denomination postage stamps for heavier postage at the Post Office™. Avoid placing two Forever Stamps on a mail piece for heavier mail.
As a rule of thumb, one First Class stamp represents the postage for sending one (1) ounce of mail. So, if your letter weighs two (2) ounces, you need two Forever stamps.
Consist of a minimum of 200 addressed pieces (or 50 pounds). Be made of printed pieces identical in content, size, and weight. Weigh less than 1 pound (each piece).
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Add “Heavy” Sticker
- Apply the bright yellow UPS heavy package sticker to your package at the right of the address label for maximum visibility.
- Write the weight of your package in the white area on the label.
USPS defines an oversize package as any package over 108” in combined length and girth, but not more than 130”. No matter how large your package, it cannot exceed 70 lbs. UPS considers a package oversized when it is over 165” in combined length and girth, or if it weighs over 150 lbs.
How do I send heavy items by post?
- Package your item (for help with this, see our packaging guide)
- Measure your final packaged item (L x W x H cm)
- Weigh your package (Kg)
- Enter the dimensions, weight and destination into our courier quote tool.
- Book and pay for the service that best suits your needs.
Are Bubble Mailers Packages or Envelopes? This depends on the thickness of your bubble mailer. Once packed, if your bubble mailer is 3/4 of an inch thick or less, it's considered an envelope. If your bubble mailer is over 3/4 of an inch thick, it's considered a package.
Addressing a large envelope (also known as a “flat”) is the same as addressing a typical letter. Put the recipient's address in the center of the envelope and the return address in the top left corner.
Different postage prices apply to postcards, letters, large envelopes (flats), and parcels. In general, the bigger your mailpiece, the more it will cost to mail. In First-Class Mail, postcards cost less than letters.
A Large Envelope is a rectangular mailpiece no thicker than 3/4 inch. They are commonly referred to as “Flats.” Flats must be: Flexible.