First Class Shipping Qestion

[li.190-2]

This may be a redundant question but I was wondering if there was a cheaper way of shipping first class than having to pay $2.61  for a shipping label and tracking? So let say my item weight 3 ounce and I am  planning on shiping it through a bubble envelop envelop and I put 3 forever stamps on it and write down the address of the buyer. Is there going to be  issue if I do that and will the buyer be charged with fee because I didn't put a label on it.  

Thanks you

[orangehound]

To use the lower cost, the item must be in envelopes that can pass through the mail system's sorting machines .... they cannot have variation of thickness, and must be under 1/4" thick (if I recall correctly).  If they are not machine readable, then they are subject to a surcharge or the first class parcel rates that begin at 2.61.

Here is a good summary:

https://www.stamps.com/usps/first-class-mail-classification-tool/

[partial*eclipse]

USPS has 3 categories of First Class pieces:  letters, flats (AKA Large envelopes) and packages.

An envelope that weighs 3 ounces could fall into any of those 3 categories depending on factors like weight, dimensions, rigidity, etc.

If your 3-ounce envelope is not over 1/4 inch thick (and also does not exceed the length and height limits for the letters category) then you can mail it as a letter.  Postage for a 3-ounce nonmachinable letter is $1.12, so your three Forever stamps would be plenty.  

However, probably your bubble envelope with an item in it is over 1/4 inch thick, so it would have to be mailed as a package.

[lja440]

And your item will arrive Postage Due