Mail Services

Classes of Mail

The cost of mailing varies with each classification.

Oversize/Underweight Mail

First Class, Standard A and International Letter Class Mail weighing one ounce or less isnonstandard* if it exceeds any of the following size standard limits:

Envelopes and Cards if pieces are less than:

  • 6 1/8" in height
    or
  • 11 1/2" in length
    or
  • 1/4: in thickness
    or
  • It's aspect ratio (length divided by height) does not fall between 1 to 1.3 and 1 to 2.5 inclusive

* There is an additional charge on each piece of mail that is found to be non-standard.

In addition, pieces which are less than the following dimensions are non-mailable in the US Postal Service and will be returned to you.

Envelopes and Cards if pieces are less than:

  • 3 1/2" in height
    or
  • 5" in length
    or
  • .007" in thickness (thickness of a post card)

First Class Mail

Any mailable matter may be mailed as First Class Mail. The following examples are considered First Class matter and must carry postage at First Class or Priority Mail rates.

  • Matter wholly or partially handwritten or type-written (including identical copies prepared by automatic typewriter), originals or carbons, invoices, (except when accompanying the matter to which they relate), postal cards, post cards.
  • Matter sealed against postal inspection.
  • Bills and statements of account .
  • Price lists with written-in figures changing items or prices.
  • Blank printed forms filled out in writing, including canceled or un-canceled checks.
  • A computer printout may or may not be First Class matter. It depends on the content. Contact Mail Services for additional information.
  • If you are not sure if it is First Class, ask us!
  • Discounted rates are available for 500 or more pieces.

Priority Mail

All First Class mail exceeding 13 ounces and not exceeding 70 pounds is considered priority mail and at the option of the mailer, any mail weighing 13 ounces or less. There is no minimum weight limitation.

Mail services provides free Priority supplies: cardboard and Tyvek envelopes, boxes and stickers.

Use Priority Mail when 2 to 3 day service is desired.

Note: Priority Mail is a 2 to 3 day service between 64 major markets i.e. Atlanta to Dallas or Chicago to New York. When using Priority Mail we recommend use of priority envelopes available at no charge from Mail Services.
 

Standard Mail (A)

The following is considered Standard Mail (A) Matter:

  • Circulars
  • Booklets
  • Merchandise
  • Photographs
  • Catalogs
  • Newsletters
  • Product Samples
  • Printed Matter

Each piece of Standard Mail (A) must be less than 16 ounces. Anything heavier must be mailed as Standard Mail (B) or Priority mail. Reduced rates are available for mailing of 200 or more pieces or a mailing of 50 lbs.

The standards for size and surcharge for single piece third class mail weighing one ounce or less are the same as for First Class.

Standard Mail (B) (Parcel Post)

The following is considered Standard Mail (B) Matter:

  • Packages or Parcels
  • Library Materials
  • Bounded Print Matter
  • Sound Recordings
  • Merchandise
  • Computer Media
  • Books
  • Films
  • Video Tapes

Each piece of Standard Mail (B) must not exceed 70 pounds in weight and a maximum size of 108" in length and girth combined.

A number of quantity discounts are available for mailings of 200 or more pieces. Call the Mail Center for information.

There are three sub-categories of standard mail (B)   that might save postage. They are:

- Special Standard Mail (B) (Known as "Book Rate", but not just for books)
- Library
- Bound Printed Matter (Known as "Catalog Rate")

Call Mail Services for qualifying items and postage rates.

Oversize/Underweight Mail

First Class, Standard A and International Letter Class Mail weighing one ounce or less is non-standard* if it exceeds any of the following size standard limits:

  • 6 1/8" in height
    or
  • 11 1/2" in length
    or
    1/4: in thickness
  • or It's aspect ratio (length divided by height) does not fall between 1 to 1.3 and 1 to 2.5 inclusive.

* There is an additional charge on each piece of mail that is found to be non-standard. 

In addition, pieces which are less than the following dimensions are non-mailable in the U S Postal Service and will be returned to you.

Envelopes and Cards if pieces are less than:

  • 3 1/2" in height
    or
  • 5" in length
    or
  • .007" in thickness (thickness of a post card)