"Any amount of mailable material may be enclosed, as long as the envelope is not modified, and the contents are entirely confined within the envelope with the adhesive provided as the means of closure."
Using this envelope allows us to pay a flat shipping rate regardless of the actual weight of the package. This minimizes shipping costs, a savings which is passed on to our customers and which has allowed us to offer free or discounted shipping on most orders.
Unfortunately, some post offices may be changing their interpretation of "flat-rate" and redefining it to mean "flat." We have had a few reports already of certain post offices charging extra postage on flat-rate envelopes which are not completely "flat."
If you are charged extra postage on a package sent by us, please let us know and we will reimburse you. We intend to keep a tabs on how often this happens. If the incidence continues to increase and we are forced to change our shipping methods, this may affect pricing on our website.
We do apologize in advance to anybody who may be inconvenienced by this change. Our own post office has stated that it is perfectly acceptable to ship flat-rate envelopes that are not flat, so it is difficult to know which individual post offices will take a different stance.
So far, the zipcodes which have experienced this problem are:
- MT - 59044
- NC - 28532
- WV - 25443
For your reference:
From the USPS Domestic Mail Manual -
Section 123 Prices and Eligibility
Any amount of material (up to 70 pounds) may be mailed in a USPS-produced Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope or Flat Rate Box. When sealing a Flat Rate Envelope or Flat Rate Box, the container flaps must be able to close within the normal folds. Tape may be applied to the flaps and seams to reinforce the container, provided the design of the container is not enlarged by opening the sides and the container is not reconstructed in any way.
Section 223 Prices and Eligibility
http://pe.usps.gov/text/dmm300/223.htm
1.4.1 Flat Rate Envelopes-Price and Eligibility
There are two types of USPS-produced Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelopes: A paper envelope and a padded envelope (for commercial plus only). Each type of USPS-produced Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope is priced at a flat rate regardless of the actual weight (up to 70 pounds) of the mailpiece or domestic destination. See the Notice 123—Price List for applicable prices.
1.4.2 Sealing Flat Rate Envelopes
When sealing Flat Rate Envelopes, the container flaps must be able to close within the normal folds. Tape may be applied to the flaps and seams to reinforce the container; provided the design of the container is not enlarged by opening the sides and the container is not reconstructed in any way.
1.4.1 Flat Rate Envelopes-Price and Eligibility
There are two types of USPS-produced Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelopes: A paper envelope and a padded envelope (for commercial plus only). Each type of USPS-produced Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope is priced at a flat rate regardless of the actual weight (up to 70 pounds) of the mailpiece or domestic destination. See the Notice 123—Price List for applicable prices.
1.4.2 Sealing Flat Rate Envelopes
When sealing Flat Rate Envelopes, the container flaps must be able to close within the normal folds. Tape may be applied to the flaps and seams to reinforce the container; provided the design of the container is not enlarged by opening the sides and the container is not reconstructed in any way.
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