Where can I find the USPS Rules/Requirements/Restrictions/Guidelines for these Envelopes?

[mangorunner]

Where can I find the USPS rules/requirements/restrictions/guidelines for shipping in each of these type of envelopes?:

• USPS Priority Mail - Flat Rate - Letter Envelope
• USPS Priority Mail - Flat Rate - Legal Envelope
• USPS Priority Mail - Flat Rate - Padded Envelope
• USPS Priority Mail - Calculated Rate - Tyvex Envelope

Where can I find the content size and shape restrictions (if any) for what I can stuff into each?

Thanks very much for your help!

[gone_4_good]

There are none - if it fits it ships
I have crammed amazingly big things into the bubble mailers

The flat rate ones just need to close properly on the oribianal seems (red line lines up)

The tyvex has non restrictions at all - I have cut them up and taped them together to cover a box

[flyerfandan999]

Dimensional info:

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm100/flat-rate-reference.htm

Guidelines:

https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2016/pb22435/html/updt_002.htm

[missjen831]

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wrote:

There are none - if it fits it ships
I have crammed amazingly big things into the bubble mailers

The flat rate ones just need to close properly on the oribianal seems (red line lines up)

The tyvex has non restrictions at all - I have cut them up and taped them together to cover a box

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Actually there are and “if it fits it ships”

doesnt really hold water anymore. If you have to manipulate the mailer in order to get the merchandise to fit, USPS will back charge you the calculated rate.

[glgenterprise]

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wrote:

There are none - if it fits it ships
I have crammed amazingly big things into the bubble mailers

The flat rate ones just need to close properly on the oribianal seems (red line lines up)

The tyvex has non restrictions at all - I have cut them up and taped them together to cover a box

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Just... don't.  I properly use the flat rate boxes, envelopes, and regional rate boxes. I'd hate to lose these options for shipping for your (and many other people's) obvious misuse of the tyvex envelopes.

I'll let the boxes bulge a minor bit with tape re-inforcement - but never substantially change the shape.  The bubble mailers I'll shove stuff into, but I'm going to make sure that the original flap closes as intended. I'll tape over the flap to double secure it, but not to make the envelope "bigger".

[partial*eclipse]

If it fits (into the envelope) it ships. Be sure to read the entiretly of the second link that was posted by @flyerfandan999 .  It's one of the more entertaining bureaucratic publications, with a Q&A that includes gems like:

Q. What about bulges?

A. As long as the FRE or FRB can close “within the normal folds,” bulges are not a problem. “Flat” refers to the price, not to the shape.

Q. What if the FRE is too thick?

A. There is currently no maximum thickness for a FRE. “Flat” refers to the price, not to the shape.

Q. What if the FRE is stuffed so full that it’s shaped like a cylinder?....

Note that the Tyvek envelope is not flat rate.

[sam9876]

" If you have to manipulate the mailer in order to get the merchandise to fit, USPS will back charge you the calculated rate"

What do you mean by "manipulate"?

[muttlymob]

Just... don't.  I properly use the flat rate boxes, envelopes, and regional rate boxes. I'd hate to lose these options for shipping for your (and many other people's) obvious misuse of the tyvex envelopes.

Why do you think this is misuse of the tyvek envelopes?

They are not flat rate or regional rate.

[glgenterprise]

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wrote:

Just... don't.  I properly use the flat rate boxes, envelopes, and regional rate boxes. I'd hate to lose these options for shipping for your (and many other people's) obvious misuse of the tyvex envelopes.

Why do you think this is misuse of the tyvek envelopes?

They are not flat rate or regional rate.

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And you're right - I don't regularly use them, so I mis-spoke, but I still don't think the intention of the envelope is to be cut up to cover a box that would never fit in the envelope.

If the post office intended the tyvex to be used as a exterior wrap for any size box they'd have a option to just order a roll of the stuff. There are at least a dozen options of boxes you can order that are simply priority, not flat or regional rate. and it's not like you have to wrap a priority package in post office supplied material.

[muttlymob]

And you're right - I don't regularly use them, so I mis-spoke, but I still don't think the intention of the envelope is to be cut up to cover a box that would never fit in the envelope.

Intention means nothing.  Stated policy is what matters.

There is no stated prohibition to cutting/reconfiguring the tyvek envelopes or non-flat rate boxes.  As long as the materials are sent with the correct Priority postage.

[sam9876]

TyveK

[mangorunner]

The replies and links provided are EXTREMELY helpful!  Thank you so much to all!  (I'm still laughing about the USPS actually using a frying pan example.)

Carol