Acceptable Mailing Dimensions

Materials Management - Mail Center

The information previously contained on this page has been moved to the University's intranet site and is for faculty, staff, and students only.

Materials Management - Mail Center

The information previously contained on this page has been moved to the University's intranet site and is for faculty, staff, and students only.

Acceptable Mailing Dimensions
for Letters and Flats

Letters

Dimension                Minimum                   Maximum
Height                            3-1/2 in                       6-1/8 in
Length                           5 in                           11-1/2 in
Thickness                      .007 in                     ¼ inches
First-Class Mail Letter Rates
Weight Not Over                   Rate
One ounce                       .42 cents
Two ounces                     .59 cents
Three ounces                   .76 cents
Four ounces                     .93 cents

Flats/Large Envelopes

Dimension                Minimum                   Maximum
Height                         6-1/8 in                          12 in
Length                        11-1/2 in                       15 in
Thickness                   ¼ inches                     ¾ inches
First-Class Flat Rates
Weight Not Over                   Rate
          One ounce                                  .83 cents
Two ounce                                1.00
Three ounces                           $1.17
   Four ounces                          $1.34

Parcel/Package

Use “Package” when the length plus girth (the distance around the thickest part) of a package equals 84 inches or less and it is less than 1 cubic foot.

Parcel/Package Rates
Weight Not Over                   Rate
One ounce                          $1.17
Two ounce                          $1.34
Three ounces                      $1.51
Four ounces                        $1.68
If more than 13 ounces, please use Priority Mail.

Size and Shape of Mail Materials

Prior to May 14, 2007, postal prices were based solely on weight. However, effective May 14, 2007, the new pricing structure takes into consideration the cost of transportation based on size, shape and weight, and the different costs of processing mail. For example, a letter that is machinable costs less than a flat or a parcel that has to be hand-processed.

Shape is determined by width, length, thickness, and weight. Shapes that determine First-Class mail pieces are postcards, letters, large envelopes (flats), and packages (parcels). If a letter exceeds 1/4" thickness and/or 3 1/2 ounces, it is charged as a flat. For First-Class packages, length + girth combined cannot exceed 108 inches. Length is the longest side of the parcel. Girth is the thickest point.

Non-Machinable Letters

Non-Machinable Letters with the following characteristics are subject to package (parcel) pricing:

Not flexible (rigid)

Not rectangular (squares are considered rectangles)

Not uniform in thickness (1/4" variation in thickness allowed)

Examples of non-machinable letters are:

Rigid or odd shaped items

Keys, coins, pencils, pens, etc.

The delivery address is not parallel to the longest side of the mail piece

Has clasps, strings, buttons, or similar closure devices

Enclosed in plastic materials

A non-machinable letter weighing 3.5 ounces or less will be charged the appropriate postage rate plus a surchage of $0.20.

A large envelope that meets the weight and measurement criteria, but is determined to be non-machinable, will be charged as a package.

Materials Management - Mail Center

Materials Management - Mail Center

Acceptable Mailing Dimensions for Letters and Flats

Acceptable Mailing Dimensions
for Letters and Flats