USPS Postage Guidelines (updated 5/11/09)

[Cin42382]

First-Class Mail Rates (Effective 5/11/2009)
Letters:
First ounce $0.44
Each additional ounce $0.17

Weight not over (ounces)
1 - $0.44
2 - $0.61
3 - $0.78
3.5 - $0.95

Letters are subject to a $0.20 surcharge if they are square, rigid or have certain nonmachinable characteristics.


Large Envelopes:
Weight not over (ounces)
1 $0.88
2 $1.05
3 $1.22
4 $1.39
5 $1.56
6 $1.73
7 $1.90
8 $2.07
9 $2.24
10 $2.41
11 $2.58
12 $2.75
13 $2.92

Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope

$4.95 regardless of weight or destination, for matter sent in a Priority Mail Flat Rate envelope provided by the Postal Service.

Priority Mail Flat Rate Box

• Small Flat-Rate Boxes Domestic or APO/FPO addresses: $4.95
• Medium Flat-Rate Boxes Domestic or APO/FPO addresses: $10.35
• Large Flat-Rate Boxes Domestic addresses: $13.95
• Large Flat-Rate Boxes APO/FPO addresses: $11.95

See USPS.com for more info on sizes and restrictions.

Postal scales (or even a kitchen scale) are relatively inexpensive at office supply stores and are very useful if you will be doing a lot of mailings. However, if you are in doubt about how much postage is needed on an envelope, it's always best to have the post office weigh it and determine the correct amount of postage.

More hints for effective mailings:

1. Correct address affects efficient delivery of your mail. ZIP + 4 code helps direct your mail. http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp

2. Print or type clearly with a pen or permanent marker so the address is legible from an arm’s length away.

How many coupons can you mail for one stamp? Here's a little bit of a guideline, but please note that that weight may vary depending on the coupons (especially if they are winetags, hangtags or from the outside/inside of a cardboard package) When in doubt, weigh!!

1 oz (40 cpns) = 44˘
2 oz (80 cpns) = 61˘
3 oz (120 cpns) = 78˘

EDITED TO REFLECT CHANGES IN THE NEW POSTAL RATES (5/09). First class rates were increased effective today. Please have your envelopes checked to ensure correct postage if you don't have a postal scale. Forever stamps bought previous to 5/11/09 are still good for the 1 oz rate.

[Kyrthira]

That's actually really useful (:

You can buy gram/ounce scales at a lot of office-supply stores; I was looking at buying one so I could measure out leftover balls of yarn in my stash (:

[ocean_brez]

[434Teresa]

I get about 100 insert coupons in for 1oz if they are cut close and neat.I have a postal scale to weigh them with..got it off ebay.

[carisal]

13 $2.92 Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope $4.95 regardless of weight or destination, for matter sent in a Priority Mail Flat Rate envelope provided by the Postal Service.

I just went by the post office to grab a FRE and a stamp for it to bring home and stuff with expireds so DH could just drop it off for me, and the guy told me that if it was over 13 ounces it would cost more than 4.95??? did this change? I thought flat rate was just that, a flat rate for whatEVER fits in the envelope??????? is my postoffice just wacky??? I'm pretty sure this envie weighs more than 13 oz cause it was stuffed to the absolute max, I'm waiting to hear if DH was asked for additional postage *sigh*

[bugface711]

Originally Posted by carisal I just went by the post office to grab a FRE and a stamp for it to bring home and stuff with expireds so DH could just drop it off for me, and the guy told me that if it was over 13 ounces it would cost more than 4.95??? did this change? I thought flat rate was just that, a flat rate for whatEVER fits in the envelope??????? is my postoffice just wacky??? I'm pretty sure this envie weighs more than 13 oz cause it was stuffed to the absolute max, I'm waiting to hear if DH was asked for additional postage *sigh*

You are right, but your hubby wouldnt be the first victim of someone in the post office weighing a flat rate envie and charging more.

Flat rate does mean just that. Heck they even have a tutorial online HERE where the guys tells you all about it and they send you a free "shipping kit" so you have the supplies at home.

[KrispyKrittersUSA]

Originally Posted by bugface711 Flat rate does mean just that. Heck they even have a tutorial online HERE where the guys tells you all about it and they send you a free "shipping kit" so you have the supplies at home.

Man, he is so cute!

[couponskitty]

one USPS guy told me that the 13oz is got to do with something with homeland security and that if you use stamps only, if you use their printable postage to print from your computer then there is no problem.

[Peek69]

Originally Posted by KrispyKrittersUSA Man, he is so cute!

too bad they don't have a flat rate box big enough for him to get into, i know where i would like him sent!!!! but back on the subject, the cheat sheet is very helpful, thanks to you who posted it.

[couponwitch]

If you have a scale at home and can weigh you envies the Post Office has an on line postage calculator. You have to enter the to and from zip codes, the type of envie (regular envie, square, oversize, if it is a box etc..) and the amount it weighs. With that information, the website will calculate the cost of postage. It will give you multiply postage rates like first class, priority, over-night delivery and several others i can't remember.
Postage Price Calculator
I can't ever remember that so I just type "how much to mail this" in my google search box.