Can an 8.5x11 mailing ship as a letter
In the United States, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has specific regulations regarding the size and weight of mailpieces that can be sent as a letter.
According to the USPS, a letter is defined as a mailpiece that weighs 13 ounces or less and measures 11.5 inches long, 6.125 inches high, and 0.25 inches thick. The maximum size for a letter is 11.5 inches long, 6.125 inches high, and 0.25 inches thick.
An 8.5x11 inch sheet of paper, which is a standard size for printing and copying, is slightly larger than the maximum size for a letter. Specifically, it measures 8.5 inches wide and 11 inches long, which is 0.5 inches longer than the maximum length for a letter.
Therefore, an 8.5x11 inch sheet of paper cannot be sent as a letter in the classical sense, as it exceeds the maximum size for a letter. However, there are a few options you could consider:
- Fold the paper in half or thirds to reduce its size and make it eligible for letter rates.
- Use a larger envelope, such as a #10 envelope, which is designed to hold larger documents and can be sent at letter rates.
- Use a flat rate envelope or package, which can be sent at a flat rate regardless of size or weight.
- Consider using a private courier service, such as FedEx or UPS, which may have different size and weight restrictions for their services.
It's always a good idea to check with the USPS or a private courier service for specific guidelines and restrictions on the size and weight of mailpieces before sending them.