Accuracy Project
    U.S. Postal Service postage rates

    New postage rates became effective January 22, 2012:

    * Letters (1 ounce) - An increase of 1-cent to 45 cents.

    * First-Class letter additional ounces (for letters over 1 ounce) remain unchanged at 20 cents.

    * Postcards - An increase of 3-cents to 32 cents.

    * Letters to Canada or Mexico (1 ounce) - An increase of 5-cents to 85 cents.

    * Letters to other international destinations - An increase of 7-cents to $1.05.

    Good news for business mailers: Effective January 22, 2012, the second ounce for First-Class Mail Presort is free. This gives high-volume commercial mailers expanded opportunities to advertise new services and products to their customers as part of bill and statement First-Class Mail automation, Presort mailings weighing between one and two ounces.


    U.S.P.S. rates for domestic mail
    U.S. postage rates for
    Current
    Standard First-Class Letter (1 ounce) *
    45¢
    Standard First-Class Letter (up to 2 ounces) *
    65¢
    Standard First-Class Letter (up to 3 ounces) *
    85¢
    Postcard
    32¢

    * Shape-based pricing
    The shape-based classification system has brought significant and rather intricate changes to sending many First-Class mailings. Postage rates are now based not only on weight, but also on the shape of First-Class Mail and parcels. Mail that fails to meet any of the shape-based pricing minimum or maximum dimension classifications for standard mail are subject to additional surcharges.

    NOTE: The cost to mail a standard post card or standard First-Class letter sent to or from Alaska or Hawaii is the same amount as those sent to any other U.S. state.


    U.S.P.S. shape-based pricing (maximum dimensions)
    Shaped-based category
    Maximum length
    Maximum height
    Maximum thickness
    Maximum weight
    Postcards (postage is 32¢)
    6"
    4 1/4"
    0.016"
    Letters * (45¢ for 1st ounce)
    11 1/2"
    6 1/8"
    1/4"
    3.5 ounces
    Large envelopes (Manila, Tyvek and similar large, flat envelopes)**
    15"
    12"
    3/4"
    13 ounces

    * If your letter exceeds any of the above letter dimensions it will be classified and priced as a large envelope (flat). All First-Class Mail nonmachinable letters are subject to a 20-cent nonmachinable surcharge.

    ** If your large envelope (Manila, Tyvek and other similar large, flat envelopes) exceeds any of the above large envelope dimensions it will be classified and priced as a package. Large envelopes must be flexible, rectangular and uniformly thick. A large envelope that exceeds 13 ounces is classified and priced as Priority Mail.


    NOTE: Mail that has clasps, strings, buttons, or similar closure devices, or mail containing items such as pens, pencils, loose keys or coins that cause the thickness of the mailpiece to be uneven, may incur a nonmachinable surcharge. Items that are too rigid, too small, have excess corner radius, or irregular shapes, such as square envelopes, or tubes may also require additional postage.


    U.S.P.S. shape-based pricing (minimum dimensions)
    Shaped-based category
    Minimum length
    Minimum height
    Minimum thickness
    Postcards (postage is 32¢)
    5"
    3 1/2"
    0.007"
    Letters (45¢ for 1st ounce)
    5"
    3 1/2"
    0.007"
    Large envelopes (Manila, Tyvek and similar large, flat envelopes)
    11 1/2"
    6 1/8"



    First-Class retail flats (Manila envelopes)
    Rates for Manila, Tyvek and similar large, flat envelopes
    Current
    First-Class Mail retail flat (1 ounce)
    90¢
    First-Class Mail retail flat (up to 2 ounces)
    $1.10
    First-Class Mail retail flat (up to 3 ounces)
    $1.30
    First-Class Mail retail flat (up to 4 ounces)
    $1.50
    First-Class Mail retail flat (up to 5 ounces)
    $1.70
    First-Class Mail retail flat (up to 6 ounces)
    $1.90
    First-Class Mail retail flat (up to 7 ounces)
    $2.10
    First-Class Mail retail flat (up to 8 ounces)
    $2.30
    First-Class Mail retail flat (up to 9 ounces)
    $2.50
    First-Class Mail retail flat (up to 10 ounces)
    $2.70
    First-Class Mail retail flat (up to 11 ounces)
    $2.90
    First-Class Mail retail flat (up to 12 ounces)
    $3.10
    First-Class Mail retail flat (up to 13 ounces)
    $3.30


    First-Class retail parcels
    Rates for boxes and similar parcels
    Current
    First-Class Mail retail parcels (1 ounce)
    $1.95
    First-Class Mail retail parcels (up to 2 ounces)
    $1.95
    First-Class Mail retail parcels (up to 3 ounces)
    $1.95
    First-Class Mail retail parcels (up to 4 ounces)
    $2.12
    First-Class Mail retail parcels (up to 5 ounces)
    $2.29
    First-Class Mail retail parcels (up to 6 ounces)
    $2.46
    First-Class Mail retail parcels (up to 7 ounces)
    $2.63
    First-Class Mail retail parcels (up to 8 ounces)
    $2.80
    First-Class Mail retail parcels (up to 9 ounces)
    $2.97
    First-Class Mail retail parcels (up to 10 ounces)
    $3.14
    First-Class Mail retail parcels (up to 11 ounces)
    $3.31
    First-Class Mail retail parcels (up to 12 ounces)
    $3.48
    First-Class Mail retail parcels (up to 13 ounces)
    $3.65
    (Any package that exceeds 13 ounces is classified and priced as Priority Mail)


    USPS Fees and Service Charges
    U.S. rates for
    Current
    Certified Mail
    $2.95
    Restricted delivery (Fee, per item, in addition to postage and other fees)
    $4.55
    Money Orders (up to $500)
    $1.15
    Money Orders ($500.01 - $1,000.00)
    $1.55
    Postal military money order (issued by military facilities)
    30¢


    USPS Delivery Confirmation services
    U.S. rates for delivery confirmation
    Current
    First Class Mail (Retail)
    85¢
    Standard Mail (Electronic)
    19¢
    Priority Mail (Retail)
    75¢
    Priority Mail (Electronic)
    0.00


    USPS Signature Confirmation services
    U.S. rates for signature confirmation
    Current
    First-Class Mail (Retail)
    $2.55
    First-Class Mail (Electronic)
    $2.10
    Priority Mail (Retail)
    $2.55
    Priority Mail (Electronic)
    $2.10


    USPS Return Receipt rates
    Return Receipt
    Current
    Return Receipt requested at the time of mailing (receive by mail)
    $2.35
    Return Receipt requested at the time of mailing (receive electronically)
    $1.15
    Return Receipt requested after mailing
    $4.75


    USPS International Postage Rates
    International Postage Rates
    Current
    Postcards to Canada
    85¢
    First-Class Mail International (Airmail Letter-post) to Canada (1 ounce)
    85¢
    First-Class Mail International (Airmail Letter-post) to Canada (2 ounces)
    $1.17
    First-Class Mail International (Airmail Letter-post) to Canada (3 ounces)
    $1.49
    Postcards and Letters to Mexico (not over 1 ounce)
    85¢
    Postcards and Letters to all other countries (not over 1 ounce)
    $1.05


    Visit our comprehensive list of U.S. Postal Service mail holidays - UPS holidays - FedEx holidays - DHL holidays.

    Information on rate changes and postage increases can be found at U.S. Postal Service Rate Increases and Proposed Changes.

    NOTE: Internet Accuracy Project is not affiliated with the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, DHL, FedEx or any other mail or parcel delivery company.


    USPS two-letter state abbreviations / Canadian province abbreviations

    We provide this list of two-letter Postal Service state abbreviations in an attempt to prevent the further spread of erroneous data based on misinterpretation of the U.S. Postal Service state abbreviations.

    You'll also find a list of two-letter Canadian province abbreviations for your Canada Post mailings.

    Some of the most commonly confused Postal Service state abbreviations are, Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), and Missouri (MO). State abbreviations for Alaska (AK) and Alabama (AL) are also occasionally reversed.


    AK = ALASKA
    AL = ALABAMA
    AR = ARKANSAS
    AS = AMERICAN SAMOA
    AZ = ARIZONA
    CA = CALIFORNIA
    CO = COLORADO
    CT = CONNECTICUT
    DC = WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
    DE = DELAWARE
    FL = FLORIDA
    FM = FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA
    GA = GEORGIA
    GU = GUAM
    HI = HAWAII
    IA = IOWA
    ID = IDAHO
    IL = ILLINOIS
    IN = INDIANA
    KS = KANSAS
    KY = KENTUCKY
    LA = LOUISIANA
    MA = MASSACHUSETTS
    MD = MARYLAND
    ME = MAINE
    MH = MARSHALL ISLANDS
    MI = MICHIGAN
    MN = MINNESOTA
    MO = MISSOURI
    MP = NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS
    MS = MISSISSIPPI
    MT = MONTANA
    NC = NORTH CAROLINA
    ND = NORTH DAKOTA
    NE = NEBRASKA
    NH = NEW HAMPSHIRE
    NJ = NEW JERSEY
    NM = NEW MEXICO
    NV = NEVADA
    NY = NEW YORK
    OH = OHIO
    OK = OKLAHOMA
    OR = OREGON
    PA = PENNSYLVANIA
    PR = PUERTO RICO
    RI = RHODE ISLAND
    SC = SOUTH CAROLINA
    SD = SOUTH DAKOTA
    TN = TENNESSEE
    TX = TEXAS
    UT = UTAH
    VA = VIRGINIA
    VI = VIRGIN ISLANDS
    VT = VERMONT
    WA = WASHINGTON
    WI = WISCONSIN
    WV = WEST VIRGINIA
    WY = WYOMING


    U.S. map with two-letter state abbreviations
    U.S. map with two-letter state abbreviations

    CANADA
    AB = Alberta
    BC = British Columbia
    MB = Manitoba
    NB = New Brunswick
    NL = Newfoundland and Labrador *
    NS = Nova Scotia
    NT = Northwest Territories
    NU = Nunavut
    ON = Ontario
    PE = Prince Edward Island
    QC = Quebec
    SK = Saskatchewan
    YT = Yukon


    * NOTE: December 6, 2001, the Governor General of Canada proclaimed the constitutional amendment changing the name of the Province of Newfoundland to Newfoundland and Labrador.

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