What are the rules for mailing envelopes?

Envelopes must be rectangular and made of paper to qualify for letter prices. Your envelope can be a maximum of 11-1/2" long x 6-1/8" high. (A standard No. 10 envelope is 9-1/2" long x 4-1/8" high.)

Does the size of the envelope matter for postage?

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.

How much stuff can you put in an envelope?

You can put up to 3.3 ounces into a Standard Mail envelope without paying even one cent in extra postage – that's over 3 times the amount you can put into a First Class mailer. That's 3 times the persuasion power, and you certainly don't want it to go to waste.14-Jun-2017

What information needs to be on an envelope?

The address you are shipping to should be written as follows:

Recipient's name.
Business's name (if applicable)
Street address (with apartment or suite number)
City, State and ZIP code (on the same line)*
Country*

What is not allowed on an envelope?

Domestically Prohibited Items Ammunition. Explosives. Gasoline. Marijuana (medical or otherwise); hemp/CBD is allowed, but restricted.

Can you mail bulky items in an envelope?

Speaking of odd shapes, don't mail bulky, odd-shaped things like pens or bottle caps in regular letter-size envelopes. Not only will you pay more in postage, but these items are likely to poke through the envelope, fall out, and be lost -- they could even damage postal equipment or hurt someone.

How do I know if an envelope needs extra postage?

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).

What happens if an envelope is too thick?

If you are mailing overstuffed letters or home-made cards, be aware there is a limitation on the thickness of the envelope. A standard size card that is too fat (over ¼ inch) or too irregular in thickness will not go through automated processing equipment and will need to be processed by hand.

What is considered an oversized envelope?

Large Envelopes (Flats) The maximum size for large envelopes is 15" x 12" x 3/4" thick. The maximum weight for large envelopes is 13 ounces.

Can I send a small item in an envelope?

Mailing or shipping small items is often straightforward—most of the time, you can simply drop them off at your local post office or courier and send them on their way. “Small items” can refer to just about any type of shipment, including tubes, envelopes, padded mailers, and small parcels.

Can you send a necklace in an envelope?

Most jewelry is small and lightweight enough to fit in the smallest size shipping box or bubble-padded envelope, and sent with a relatively small amount of postage.

Can you send a tea bag in a letter?

Any tea bag should fit in a standard envelope, but you may want to aim for a plastic-wrapped option (or wrap it yourself) to prevent tears.27-Nov-2021

How do I label an envelope?

Write the return address in the top left corner. Then, write the recipient's address slightly centered on the bottom half of the envelope. To finish, place the stamp in the top right corner.24-Jun-2019

How do you address an envelope to a family?

The basics to remember are:

Your name or your family name and address go in the top left corner of the envelope.
The recipient's family name and address goes in the center of the envelope.
You should always include last names on an envelope address.
You do not use an apostrophe with last names in addresses.

What is the information endorsed on the envelope?

The information endorsed on the envelope is the name and address of the receiver. The writer's address is written inside, in the letter.

Can you use homemade envelopes in the mail?

As long as your handmade envelope weighs under one ounce*, it won't require any additional postage.19-Jan-2018

Can I mail a letter with a paperclip?

Use tabs to seal tri-folded pieces and non-envelope mail. Avoid the use of paper clips and staples. This can cause damage to the mail piece during processing and at USPS.

Is it OK to address envelopes in cursive?

Addresses should be printed or typed in clear, plain upper-case characters. Handwritten, italic, script and other stylized characters should be avoided.

How thick can a standard envelope be?

Sizes for Letters

Does a padded envelope count as a letter?

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.

How do I know if my letter is too heavy?

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.

What are the rules for mailing envelopes?