Priority Mail Padded Envelope question about folding - any USPS employee know?

[b86fiero]

Hi All,

I ship items weekly in USPS Flat Rate Priority Mail padded envelopes.  Due to some items being smaller than the envelope and to help prevent damage by delivery person who may roll or fold to fit in addressee mailbox I often fold down the top half a few inches to make it closer to the size of the item inside.  Mainly books, which I also include a new piece of cardboard to stiffen the mailer.

Question:  Will folding down the envelope, thus altering the dimensions,  cause USPS to charge me the new surcharge?

Many Thanks for the answer to this burning question.   

[nobody*s_perfect]

The new surcharges apply only to pieces that are over 1 cubic foot or over 22 inches long.

[b86fiero]

Thank you!

I wasn't sure with all of these new changes. 

[wastingtime101]

Below is a summary of the changes that went into effect yesterday. As the other poster said, this will not affect Priority Flat Rate Envelopes of any kind.

As announced October 2021, this was part of the January 2022 price changes but given a delayed application date of April 3, 2022.

There is a new “nonstandard fee” for packages that must be sorted manually by the USPS when the dimensions of the package exceed sortation requirements.

     Packages with length over 22 inches will incur a $4.00 surcharge

     Packages with length over 30 inches will incur $15.00 surcharge

     Packages over 2 cubic feet will incur a $15.00 surcharge.

There is a $1.50 "noncompliance fee" for packages that are greater than one cubic foot or have a box length greater than 22 inches if the customer did not provide dimensions or provided inaccurate dimensions inside the online postage provider.

Yes, USPS will stack these surcharges where applicable. (Ex: over 22" and over 2 cubic feet and seller put wrong dimensions in the online label form - surcharge would be $4.00 + $15.00 + $1.50 for a total of $20.50)

Yes, these surcharges apply to the Priority branded triangular tube boxes.

No, the surcharge does not apply to the recently discontinued Large Flat Rate Board Game Box if you have any left in stock.

No, the surcharge does not apply to Media Mail.

[richard1rst]

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@b86fiero wrote:

Hi All,

I ship items weekly in USPS Flat Rate Priority Mail padded envelopes.  Due to some items being smaller than the envelope and to help prevent damage by delivery person who may roll or fold to fit in addressee mailbox I often fold down the top half a few inches to make it closer to the size of the item inside.  Mainly books, which I also include a new piece of cardboard to stiffen the mailer.

Question:  Will folding down the envelope, thus altering the dimensions,  cause USPS to charge me the new surcharge?

Many Thanks for the answer to this burning question.   

---

USPS regulations prohibit the altering on any flat rate boxes or envelopes. Folding it in half may very well cause them to recalculate the shipping based on the weight. That may up your costs.

[southern*sweet*tea]

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@richard1rst wrote:

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@b86fiero wrote:

Hi All,

I ship items weekly in USPS Flat Rate Priority Mail padded envelopes.  Due to some items being smaller than the envelope and to help prevent damage by delivery person who may roll or fold to fit in addressee mailbox I often fold down the top half a few inches to make it closer to the size of the item inside.  Mainly books, which I also include a new piece of cardboard to stiffen the mailer.

Question:  Will folding down the envelope, thus altering the dimensions,  cause USPS to charge me the new surcharge?

Many Thanks for the answer to this burning question.   

---

USPS regulations prohibit the altering on any flat rate boxes or envelopes. Folding it in half may very well cause them to recalculate the shipping based on the weight. That may up your costs.

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I've been folding the padded flats since they've been around. I wrap them around smaller boxes too. I've had two Postmasters tell me that it's fine.  You cannot reconfigure it to make it larger, it has to close normally within the allowed area.