What are the Postal Regulations for 10-inch Envelopes?
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has specific regulations for the size and weight of mail that can be processed automatically; that is, mail that is "machinable." Mail may incur a surcharge in the form of additional postage if it requires hand-processing. While there are no regulations that apply specifically to a 10-inch envelope, an envelope of that length does fall within their range of acceptable lengths, but it must meet other requirements as well.
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Dimensions
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An envelope measuring 10 inches from the edge nearest the return address to the edge nearest the postage stamp, must also measure a minimum of 4 inches from the edge above the addressee to the edge below the addressee in order to be machinable. A 10-inch envelope that does not meet this additional 4-inch requirement must be hand-processed, and may require additional postage.
Weight of Envelope and Contents
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The post office will help if you don't have a scale. The USPS restricts the combined weight of an envelope and its contents to 3.5 ounces for machinable, first-class mail.
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Postage and Address
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Postage is higher for nonconforming and international mail. The front of a 10-inch envelope must have a place where the address and all postal markings are clearly visible to postal workers. The address and stamp both must be on the same side. The stamp is to be located in the upper right hand corner of the envelope and the address to which it will be delivered should be placed approximately in the middle of it.
Corners
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Corners may be rounded within limits. The USPS accepts envelopes with square or slightly rounded corners.
Nonmachinable Mail
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If your 10-inch envelope will not go through the automatic processing machine, you may have to pay additional postage for hand-processing. Bulky or rigid letters are conditions that will cause your envelope to require hand-processing. An envelope must have some bend to it in order to make it through the machine.
Postage Calculation
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The price of first-class mail is based on ounces. Fractions of ounces are rounded up to the next full ounce. If your 10-inch envelope, including contents, weighs 1.1 ounces, the USPS will charge you the same postage as they would for an envelope weighing 2 ounces.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit corner of envelopes image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com scale image by Pontus Edenberg from Fotolia.com Love Letter image by Mario Ragsac Jr. from Fotolia.com a blue envelope with yellow sun and a striped shee image by Milissenta from Fotolia.com
