What Are Non-Machinable Stamps? (Meaning, Value + More)
Part of what makes USPS so efficient is its mail sorting machines. This machine can handle up to 36,000 pieces each hour. They work great when the mail is standard-sized, but what happens when that’s not the case?
Mailpieces that are too large to fit into machines will need their stamps hand-canceled. It takes longer than expected, so it is more tedious.
What is Non-Machinable Stamps?
USPS issues non-machinable stamps to cover domestic postage for First-Class mailpieces not meeting the specified sizing requirements. Square greeting cards, letters with pens and keys, as well as lumpy letters that contain pens or keys, are examples of non-Machinable items. This item cannot be sorted by machines, and therefore must be canceled manually.
What’s non-machinable mail?
Before getting into what Non-Machinable stamps are, it’s helpful to have some background about Non-Machinable mail.
To put it simply, “Non-Machinable Mail” is mail that USPS machines cannot sort because it has an unusual size or shape.
Square greeting cards are most popular. USPS defines a standard-sized letter as:
Minimum 3 1/2 inches tall x 5 inch long x 0.07 inches thick
Please limit your height to 6 1/8 inches, 11 1/2 inch length and 1/4 inch thickness.
So, letters that don’t meet these criteria slow down and sometimes even jam machines.
To avoid any mechanical issues, USPS employees remove unusually-sized mail and hand-cancel the stamps.
Hand sorting can take longer than machine sorting, which is not surprising. USPS adds a surcharge on mail that does not conform to standard size mail, i.e. non-Machinable mail, because of this.
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.
In the majority of cases they are hand-sorted at USPS by employees. Because this makes them more difficult to process, there is a surcharge.
USPS charges a non-machinable surcharge for First-Class Mail if it meets any one of these criteria.
The Non-Machinable surcharge currently stands at $0.30
Forever USPS Postage Stamps (Sheet of 20) $13.75 If you are strapped for time, Amazon sells a wide variety of Firstclass and Forever USPS postage stamps. Select orders are eligible for next-day or same-day delivery. Amazon: Buy Now We receive a commission when you purchase, but it is at no extra cost to you.
Can Non-Machinable Stamps Be Used As Permanent 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.
So even though your purchase of non-machinable stamps is less today than it was tomorrow, you can still use them.
How can I use non-machhinable stamps on regular mail
Technically speaking, it is possible to use non-machinable stamps in regular mail.
However, the Non-Machinable Stamps include the First-Class Postage Rate for a 1-ounce Letter plus the Non-Machinable Surcharge.
The surcharge is not required if the letter you send is standard-sized. Therefore, if you use a Non-Machinable stamp on your letter, you’ll be overpaying for no reason.
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 now cost $0.58. That’s $1.16 of postage if you add them all together.
Additional, Non-Machinable Stamps can be purchased for $0.88. Therefore, two Forever Stamps is more than enough postage to cover the surcharge.
So, while you can use multiple Forever Stamps instead of a Non-Machinable stamp, you’ll be overpaying for postage.
A Non-Machinable stamp makes financial sense if one is available.
Are there any non-machinable stamps I can buy?
The Non-Machinable stamps are available at the Post Office in your area, the USPS website or by phone 1-800-STAMP-24 (800-782-6724).
If you’re buying stamps in person, you can purchase them individually. Online or over-the-phone, Non Machinable stamps must be purchased in a single sheet.
What Are the Costs of Non-Machinable Stamps
These Non-Machinable stamped are available at 0.88 each. Prices include $0.58 First-Class stamp postage fee, and $0.30 non-Machinable surcharge.
In comparison, a sheet of 20 Non-Machinable stamps retails for $17.60.
How does non-machinable stamped look?
Butterfly stamps are also known as non-Machinable Stamps. They all have butterflies.
This collaboration was initiated by the Greeting card Association and USPS in 2010.
The organizations wanted to provide information to consumers about whether or not they are paying enough for postage to their irregularly-shaped, heavier mail.
USPS began featuring butterflies on Non-Machinable stamps. The greeting card industry also printed a butterfly icon on non-Machinable cards.
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.
Our posts about military stamps as well as priority mail and semi-postal postal stamps will help you to understand more.
USPS has Non-Machinable stamps that can help you send an original wedding invitation or a funny birthday card.
Does Non-Machinable Mail Cost More?
Non-machinable mailpieces are mail pieces that cannot be processed by standard automated mail processes. A surcharge is charged for these mailpieces because it costs more to process them.
How much is a butterfly non-machinable stamp worth?
December 31, 2009
What is a non-machinable stamp worth?
2-ounces
What Is the Value of the Butterfly Stamp in 2021
A 20c surcharge will be added for each additional ounce. The surcharge for non-standard square-shaped cards will increase from 20 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)