eBay

jonlaw16 · ‎07-19-2019

Today I tried to mail from my local PO a 6" x 9" bubble lined poly envelope containing a CD-ROM in pasteboard sleeve, about 5/16" thick. I had printed an ebay label at the lowest cost 4 oz rate for a USPS First-Class Package rate. My postal clerk said USPS was starting to enforce an existing rule in place for many years that such a package must be of minimum 3/4" thickness to qualify for the rate of my label. He showed me a gauge provided at the counter with the 3/4" slot that would prove that my parcel easily passed through it, just as they keep another with 1/4" slot to disallow use of letter rate postage on just about any padded envelope with something in it, as it would NOT slip through that slot.

I think I have found the USPS First-Class Mail Fact Sheet that was being cited:

https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2007/html/pb22218/kit1_010.html

Apparently, under the First-Class Mail Quick Tips, under the 6th and 7th bullet points, these statements apply:

A mailpiece must be flat-size or larger, if rigid, or over 3/4" thick to be classified and priced as a package (parcel).

For padded bags (e.g., ReadyPost® “cushion mailer”), when the thickness is 3/4" or less and the item is flat-size and somewhat flexible, the item should be classified and priced as a large envelope.

The lesson I have learned is that, to qualify for low cost ebay Labels First-Class Package rate, I will need to insert into envelopes enough bubble wrap, foam sheet material, or a styro "peanut" to add enough thickness, even if only at a small area in the envelope, to obtain the 3/4" minimum thickness and a properly qualified First-Class Mail small package rate.

Are my assessments and conclusion correct? Does anyone else have corroborating or conflicting information or experience to share?

orangehound · ‎07-19-2019

@jonlaw16 wrote:

... or a styro "peanut" to add enough thickness ...

^^ This. We have a little container of those peanuts by our packing, and toss one in anytime it is close.

itsjustasprain · ‎07-19-2019

@jonlaw16 wrote:
Are my assessments and conclusion correct?

Yes. One peanut is enough - just so there is one area of the padded envelope that wont go through their 3/4 inch template.

sugarpotpye · ‎07-19-2019

You can also tape down one corner so it's not a standard shape.

Sunshine is the worlds way of smiling back at you.

lintbrush* · ‎07-19-2019

AFAIK, your package was rigid and thus cannot be sent as a flat even if it is under 3/4"

philsumm · ‎07-19-2019

The link you have is from a 2007 postal bulletin.

There have been a "few" changes since then.

nobody*s_perfect · ‎07-19-2019

@jonlaw16 wrote: ... Apparently, under the First-Class Mail Quick Tips, under the 6th and 7th bullet points, these statements apply:

A mailpiece must be flat-size or larger, if rigid, or over 3/4" thick to be classified and priced as a package (parcel).

For padded bags (e.g., ReadyPost® “cushion mailer”), when the thickness is 3/4" or less and the item is flat-size and somewhat flexible, the item should be classified and priced as a large envelope....

There is no minimum thickness for a First Class package. The document you quoted, though ancient, accurately states that the piece must be rigid OR over 3/4 inch thick.

In order to qualify as a package, your piece must be ineligible to be mailed as a letter or flat (AKA Large envelope). As @lintbrush* noted, a 6x9 envelope "containing a CD-ROM in pasteboard sleeve" is rigid. Here is the current version of the Domestic Mail Manual; see Section 4.1 regarding the criteria that make an item ineligible to be mailed as a flat, and in particular Section 4.3, which discusses flexibility complete with entertaining illustrations.

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/201.htm#ep1096318

From a practical standpoint, it's easier to make your envelope 3/4 inch thick rather than to educate every USPS employee regarding the fact that every piece over 3/4 inch thick is a package, but not every package is over 3/4 inch thick.