United States Postal Service (USPS) first class mail rates apply to letters and packages weighing thirteen ounces or less. Anything over thirteen ounces must be shipped via another method such as priority mail.
Package Sizes, Weight Limits: What Can Be Sent via First Class Mail?
Here are the four types of mail that can be sent first class and the specifications for each provided by the United States Postal Service:
- Postcards. These are flat rectangular cards not in an outer envelope that are at least 3.5 inches but no more than 4.25 inches high, between 5 and 6 inches long, and between .007 to .016 inch thick. Oversized cards will be charged at a letter or large envelope rate.
- Letters. Small rectangular envelopes up to .25 inch thick and 3.5 ounces in weight. Letters must be at least 3.5 inches but no more than 6.125 inches high, between 5 and 11.5 inches long, and between .007 to .25 inch thick.
- Large flat envelopes. Envelopes that exceed any of the above dimensions for smaller letters but are still no larger than 12 inches high, 15 inches long, and .75 inches thick fall into the large envelope category.
- Small packages or parcels. This category encompasses boxes, tubes, or large envelopes that exceed the specifications for large envelopes. First class mail rates apply to packages that weigh 13 ounces or less.
Packages weighing up to seventy pounds that don’t qualify for first-class postage based on weight or package dimensions can be sent via Priority Mail.
Shipping 1st Class Mail: Visit the Post Office or Use Postage Stamps to Send a Package
There are two ways to send a package on its way with the post office. The first is to simply visit a local post office location and have a postal worker weigh and apply the appropriate postage to the letter or package. The second is to purchase stamps, affix appropriate postage, and either drop off the parcel at a post office box (inside the post office or at another location) or place the parcel in a residential mailbox. Stamps can be purchased at the post office, online, at retail locations like certain grocery stores, or even ordered through the mail.
Want more information about the United States Postal Service? Here are three related articles:
Historical First Class Stamp Price Increases - learn about the cost of stamps over the years.
USPS Priority Mail - find out how to use this post office service when 1st class isn't an option.
2009 Postal Holidays, U.S. Post Office Closings - find out when the mail won't run.
Resources:
United States Postal Service website
Postal Regulatory Commission website (Office of Public Affairs & Government Relations)
Lena Gott - Lena Gott is a Certified Public Accountant who gives practical financial advice to her readers.
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