USPS Large Envelope (13 oz or less)
Can anyone tell me what categories can ship in a large envelope (flat) I can't find this info anywhere. I have items like mouse pads that would fit the "standard" set by the USPS but that doesn't mean eBay will let me ship that way. What do you all do? Use another service? I think it's stupid that I can't ship dog collar tags in the standard envelope even though it fits with the parameters set by the USPS but it's not an approved category by eBay. What do you all do in this case as well? A different service. Thanks in advance everyone!!
15 comments
fm2000
·1 year agoMost clothing probably wouldn't qualify for FC Large envelope because while the envelope would pass the flexibility requirement, the envelope would be too thick and possibly too unevenly thick (I have send some clothing items, like silk scarves and vintage stockings in FC large envelopes, but they were all very thin and uniformly thick.) Pants would definitely not work for FC Large Envelope, too thick and probably too uneven. You could possibly use the Priority Padded Flat Rate Envelope for clothes, but GA under 16 oz or GA cubic over 1lb will almost always be cheaper than the FRPE nowadays. There is also no tracking with FC Large Envelope, which can damage TRS status.
An eBay Standard Large Envelope would be an absolute godsend for those of us who sell paper ephemera that won't fit into a regular letter envelope, as well as those who want to sell lower value single issue comic books and magazines. FC Large Envelope could be very useful for some sellers, but the lack of eBay acceptable tracking and the risk to TRS status when eBay acceptable tracking is not provided really limit its use.
sharonc99
·1 year agoI sell clothing- t-shirts, pants, baby clothes and they a11 fit great in the flat envelopes you can buy from eBay, but nothing I am trying to list will allow for any item to go in a large envelope. Now I have to find someone else to use for postage, which will be a pain as I have to calculate a price without knowing were the item will be shipped to after it is sold. This just started happening in the last week, before that no problem I could choose envelope or package. Packages cost to much by way of postage it would not sell and eBay will get a bigger commission since they charge commission on the total cost including shipping, item and sales taxes.
nobody*s_perfect
·1 year agoPostage costs for USPS First Class large envelopes (flats) are based only on weight and are not zoned, so you can enter a flat price for the postage to any US ZIP Code. If you cannot choose 'Large envelope" as the shipping method when setting up the listing, then choose generic "Standard" shipping.
buyselljack2016
·2 years agoCan anyone tell me what categories can ship in a large envelope (flat) I can't find this info anywhere.
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Most any category, as long as it meets the characteristics required by USPS to "qualify" as a large envelope (flat)
eBay will let you ship it that way. It just is not a "tracked service", so............ as others state.............. eBay does not have the option to print labels for shipping that is not "tracked".
sapphire_studio
·2 years agoYou can mail your dog collar with a stamp or two. You can't be a top rated seller without having tracking so some people make a second selling account for mailing their items with stamps.
tobaccocardyahoo
·2 years agohttps://pe.usps.com/BusinessMail101?ViewName=Flats
12345jamesstamps
·2 years agoSize is 5 3 / 4 X 8 3 /4....I got these at Staples. These are not considered parcel and I am able to stick
thin cardboard in them...usually .20 more than a forever stamp.
I don't do tracking for cheapie items. The other envelope is a eBay envelope which is larger than it should be
and that could be why some made it to their destinations and other don't. The eBay envelope is larger than it should be...so one takes their chances on using them. Visiting the post office 4+ times a week I think I know a little. For something under $20 why would I do tracking?
I only use USPS and never had an item lost last year. And that includes tracking expensive items. However, when I use tracking...my items take longer than 4-5 days coast to coast.
nobody*s_perfect
·2 years agoIf you're using one Forever stamp plus a nonmachinble surcharge, then that's a nonmachinable letter, not a flat/Large envelope. An item shipped in that envelope would be considered a parcel if it didn't meet the requirements to be mailed as a First lass letter or flat; for instance if it was over 3/4 inch thick, or over 1/4 inch thick and rigid.
First Class letters: maximum thickness is 1/4 inch, but they can be rigid (e.g., with cardboard) if you pay the nonmachinable surcharge.
First Class flats (AKA Large envelopes): can be up to 3/4 inch thick, but they must be flexible.
Details (dimension limits, definition of nonmachinable, etc.) here: https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/101.htm
12345jamesstamps
·2 years agoForever stamp....68 cents AND a .20 cent stamp usually...maybe a cent or two more.
Under 1 /4 thickness which I can do and bendable with a thin cardboard.
These do not go as parcel...but they are weighed. And there is no tracking....since they are not considered parcel. I do weigh them sometimes at the post office myself or the clerks do.
They have been measured by width and length and thickness by clerks a number of years and now I do it on my own. I am still waiting for that one item not received. LOL.
I guess I get lucky where the clerks at the post office like me?
nobody*s_perfect
·2 years agoIt's not about luck or likability -- that's just a USPS First Class letter, with a surcharge for either weight above one ounce, or meeting one of the many nonmachinable criteria.
12345jamesstamps
·2 years ago"Likability"....yes it is if the clerks tell me how to ship something to save me money and not rush me off in a hurry. The clerks know me by name since I go there so much.
"Luck"....my favorite clerks are there to take care of me. Although normally we can't take a photo of a package with a tracking label on it in the post office(which I send in a photo to a buyer in an email) showing postage on it. And "luck" my favorite clerks will hand stamp my stamps on the larger envelope so they are already stamped.
I don't use eBay shipping labels....so I only know how to ship items in person at the post office...me dumb for not knowing a lot about eBay shipping labels.
nobody*s_perfect
·2 years agoOr you could just educate yourself about the USPS options rather than relying on clerks' insights and goodwill.
12345jamesstamps
·2 years agoSometimes the USPS and eBay Shipping and UPS and FedEx options change periodically ...and it is a lot for a seller to be informed everyday in their own daily life duties...so I have a few friends(clerks) at the USPS Post Office who help me....one can never have too many friends in life.
nobody*s_perfect
·2 years agoeBay doesn't sell postage labels for flats (AKA Large envelopes). If your envelope meets the USPS criteria, you can ship it at the Post Office counter or just sick some stamps on it.
The service which eBay calls "standard envelope" is more like a nonmachinable letter in its requirements regarding dimensions (including thickness), flexibility etc.
1786davycrockett
·2 years ago@montana-belle
My understanding of the USPS Large Envelope rate is that it is intended for paper documents that are too heavy or would not fit easily into regular USPS First Class Mail.
You would be better off using USPS Ground Advantage, or (for smaller, lighter items) a #6 or #10 "plain white envelope," with additional "non-machinable" postage.