The United States Postal Service requires extra postage, called a “non-machinable surcharge,” on First Class mail sent in non-rectangular or overly thick/rigid envelopes. The Postal Service also requires extra postage when the envelope and enclosures weigh more than one ounce.

The non-machinable surcharge impacts Up With Paper’s Treasures and Turning Points brands of greeting cards, which are square and sold with a square envelope.

Currently, for our greeting cards mailed within the United States, First Class postage is as follows:

For all Panoramics, Tres Panache, Pop-Up Snow Globe Greetings, Tres Panache Boxed Notes, and Tres Panache Imprintables: 44 cents/envelope, unless additional items are added to the envelope to increase the weight. Each extra ounce over one ounce is an additional 17 cents. A Panoramics card with an extra letter or photo that takes the weight to 1.5 ounces, for example, would require 61 cents of postage

For our Treasures and Turning Points cards, postage is 64 cents due to the square envelope (44 cents regular postage plus the 20 cents non-machinable surcharge), unless additional items are added to the envelope to increase the weight. Each extra ounce over one ounce is an additional 17 cents. A Treasures card with an extra letter or photo that takes the weight to

The Postal Service has specifically noted that the 20-cent non-machinable stamp covers the extra postage needed for square greeting cards (in addition to the basic 44-cent First Class stamp).  This has significantly reduced the confusion and frustration many consumers have experienced when trying to determine the proper postage for one of our square cards.  In addition, the Postal Service has released a 64-cent stamp, specifically for square greeting cards.  With this one stamp, consumers can be confident that their Treasures and Turning Points cards weighing less than one ounce will reach their destination with no additional postage required!  For further information about the 64-cent stamp from the Postal Service, go here:  http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2009/pr09_056.htm

The Postal Service has announced that postage rates will not be increasing in 2010, so the rates above will be effective for all of 2010.  The Postal Service will be making further improvements in the handling of square card postage in 2010—stay tuned

Up With Paper is actively involved with the Greeting Card Association (GCA) in working with the PRC and the Postal Service to hold the line on postage rate increases, which act to reduce the flow of First Class mail in our country, to the detriment of long distance relationships between families and friends. In addition, we support efforts to eliminate the confusion that the non-machinable and weight requirements create among consumers.

The GCA has been the only advocate for the citizen mailer, supporting lower postage and the broadest availability of the U.S. Mail, often opposed by direct and bulk mail interests. For more information on the GCA and their dedication to representing consumer interests, please visit www.greetingcard.org/media.php and click on the “From Postal Reform to Forever Stamp” document link.

To learn more about the Postal Service, the Postal Regulatory Commission, and postal rates and regulations, go to www.usps.com or www.prc.gov