Effective May, 2007, US Postal Service postage rate changes will take effect. The cost of a 1 oz. letter will change from 39¢ to 41¢. However, the cost of additional ounces will be reduced—a 4 oz. letter changes from $1.11 to $.92. Additional rate change information can be obtained at http://www.usps.com/ratecase/welcome.htm.

The biggest change is that the mail rate applied to your letter mail can change depending on thickness, contents and the envelope used. The following characteristics cause a letter to be nonmachinable and therefore charged an additional $.17:

• Has an aspect ratio (length divided by height) of less than 1.3 or more than 2.5
• Measures more than 4.25” high, more than 6” long, or is less than .009” thick
• Is rigid or contains odd-shaped contents such as a pen, loose keys, coins, or tokens that cause the thickness to be uneven
• Is polybagged, polywrapped, or enclosed in any plastic material.
• Has clasps, strings, buttons or similar closure devices
• Is a self-mailer with a folded edge perpendicular to the address and is not secured (e.g. tabbed)
• The delivery address is parallel to the shorter dimension of the mailpiece
• Booklet-type pieces with the bound edge (spine) along the shorter dimension of the piece or at the top, unless prepared according to 201.3.13.2

The following characteristics cause a flat to be nonmachinable and therefore metered at package rates:

• Is rigid
• Contains odd-shaped contents such as a pen, loose keys, coins, or tokens that cause the thickness to be uneven
• Has a corner radius greater than 1/8"
• Is polybagged, polywrapped, or enclosed in any plastic material.

If you send a flat mail piece with any of the above characteristics, it will be charged as a parcel.

Links:

Shape Based Mail Piece Decision Tree
Detailed USPS Rates and Fees Information
Postcard, Letter and Flat size requirements
Letter/flat size template
Delivery zone chart

If you have any questions, please email Diane Cummins at dcummins@palomar.edu or call at Extension 2754.