What Are Non-Machinable Stamps?
What Are Non-Machinable Stamps? (Meaning, Value + More)
The mail sorting equipment is a major part of USPS efficiency. They can actually sort as many as 36,000 pieces of mail an hour. While they work best when standard-sized mail arrives, what do you do?
Mailpieces that are too large to fit into machines will need their stamps hand-canceled. That takes extra time, which is not surprising.
What Are Non-Machinable Stamps?
USPS does not issue non-Machinable stamps. These stamps cover first-class domestic mailpieces and do not meet specified sizing criteria. Square greeting cards, letters with pens and keys, as well as lumpy letters that contain pens or keys, are examples of non-Machinable items. Such things don’t fit into sorting machines and must be hand-canceled, resulting in a surcharge.
What is Non-Machinable mail?
Prior to diving into the Non-Machinable Stamps, you should have some knowledge about non-Machinable mail.
In the simplest terms, Non-Machinable mail is any piece of mail that USPS’ machines can’t sort due to an irregular size or shape.
However, the most commonly used type of greeting card is square. USPS defines a standard-sized letter as:
Minimum 3 1/2 inches tall x 5 inch long x 0.07 inches thick
Limit 6 1/8″ high x 11 1/4 inches long x 3/4 inch thick
Letters that do not meet this criteria will slow down, sometimes even jammers.
USPS workers remove mail of unusual size and then hand-cancel it to prevent any problems.
No surprise, hand sorting takes much longer than machine kindling. USPS charges a surcharge for non-standard mail sizes.
What is the non-machinable surcharge for first-class mail?
It is important to process unusually sized and/or shaped mailpieces outside the normal automated mail process.
Most cases are handsorted by USPS workers, which makes them more costly to process.
That said, USPS adds a Non-Machinable surcharge to First-Class Mail with any of the following criteria:
At the moment, there is a $0.30 Non-Machinable Surcharge.
Forever USPS Stamps (Sheet with 20) $13.75 Amazon also sells Firstclass and Forever USPS postal stamps. For select orders, same-day and next day delivery are available. Amazon Shop Now We will earn a commission for every purchase you make, and it’s free.
What is the cost of non-machinable stamps?
Non-Machinable Stamps now sell for $0.88. They are $0.30 more than Standard-Sized First-Class Letters.
What are Non-Machinable Stamps for Ever Stamps?
Stamps that have the words “Non Machinable Surcharge” inscribed on them are just like Forever Stamps. They will still be valid for current non-machinable surcharge.
Also, regardless of whether you pay less for Non-Machinable Stamps than you did today, the stamps that you bought will still work.
Are Non-Machinable stamps allowed on regular mail?
Technically, regular mail can be sent using Non-Machinable stamps.
Non-Machinable stamps will cover the First class postage for a letter of one-ounce plus any non-Machinable surcharge.
You don’t have to pay the surcharge if you are sending a standard-sized letter. If you choose to use Non-Machinable ink on your letters, it will be a waste of money.
What if I don’t have a non-machinable stamp? Can I use two forever stamps instead?
You can buy two Forever Stamps in order to pay the Non-Machinable surcharge. Forever Stamps currently cost $0.58. If you combine two, this covers $1.16 in postage.
Also, the non-machinable stamps go for $0.88. Two Forever Stamps will provide enough postage for the surcharge.
While you may be able to use more Forever Stamps than a non-Machinable, it will result in you overpaying postage.
Therefore, a Non Machinable stamp is more financially sound if it’s possible to obtain one.
Where Can I Buy Non-Machinable Stamps?
You can buy Non-Machinable stamps at your local Post Office, on the USPS website, or over the phone by calling 1-800-STAMP-24 (1-800-782-6724).
Individual stamps can be purchased if bought in-person. For Non-Machinable stamps, online and over the telephone you must purchase 20 sheets.
How Much Are Non-Machinable Stamps?
Current Non-Machinable stamps can be purchased for $0.88. That price includes $0.58 First-Class fee and the $0.30 Non Machinable surcharge.
In comparison, a sheet of 20 Non-Machinable stamps retails for $17.60.
What do Non-Machinable Stamps Look like?
These stamps may also be known as butterfly stamps.
This was a result of a collaboration between USPS & the Greeting Cards Association that took place in 2010.
A further goal of both companies was to allow consumers to check if the postage they paid on heavier, irregularly-shaped mail envelopes was to avoid confusion.
Therefore, USPS agreed to feature butterflies on all of its Non-Machinable stamps, while greeting card companies started printing a butterfly icon on cards requiring a Non-Machinable stamp.
Currently, USPS features two butterfly stamps; one features the California Dogface butterfly, the other the Colorado Hairstreak butterfly.
In addition to the butterfly image, both stamps feature the words “USA,” “Non-Machinable Surcharge,” and the year of the stamp’s release.
For more information, please visit our post on military stamps, priority mail stamps, or semi-postal stamps.
Whether you’re sending a funky birthday card or a unique wedding invitation, USPS’ Non-Machinable stamps are there to help make sure your item gets to its destination safely for an affordable price.
How much does non-machinable mail cost?
Nonmachinable mailpieces can be mailpieces that are not automated. These mailpieces are subject to a surcharge because they cost more to process.
How Much Does a Butterfly Stamp Non-Machinable Worth?
December 31, 2009
What are the Ounces of a Non-Machinable Stamp?
2-ounces
How much is The Butterfly Stamp worth in 2021
A 20c surcharge will be added for each additional ounce. Non-square-shaped cards with a surcharge will see their price rise from 20 cents to 30 cents. Accordingly, the price for the Butterfly Stamp will rise to 88 cents.Jun 1, 2021
.What Are Non-Machinable Stamps? (Meaning, Value + More)
