What Are Non-Machinable Stamps? (Meaning, Value + More)

Mail sorting machines are a key part of USPS’s efficiency. In fact, these machines can sort up to 36,000 pieces of mail per hour! These machines work well when mail is of standard size. But what happens if that isn’t the case?

Hand-canceling stamps is the best option for mailpieces that won’t fit in machines. That takes extra time, which is not surprising.

When this happens, USPS charges a surcharge payable with Non-Machinable stamps. If you have any questions regarding Non-Machinable Stamps, I can help!

What are non-machinable stamps?

USPS does not issue non-Machinable stamps. These stamps cover first-class domestic mailpieces and do not meet specified sizing criteria. Some examples of non-Machinable goods include square greeting cards, stiff letters or letters containing keys or pens. This item cannot be sorted by machines, and therefore must be canceled manually.

You can find out more information about Non-Machinable Stamps here.

What Is Non-Machinable Mail?

Understanding Non-Machinable postal mail is important before you can start to understand what non-machinable stamps actually are.

The simplest definition of Non-Machinable mail would be any mail piece that USPS can’t sort for reasons other than its irregularity or form.

However, the most commonly used type of greeting card is square. The USPS also considers standard-sized letters to be:

Rectangular

Minimum of 3 1/2 in high.

Limit 6 1/8″ high x 11 1/4 inches long x 3/4 inch thick

Letters that do not meet this criteria will slow down, sometimes even jammers.

USPS employees hand-cancel stamps and remove unstandard-sized mail to avoid problems.

No surprise, hand sorting takes much longer than machine kindling. USPS charges a surcharge for non-standard mail sizes.

What is the non-machinable surcharge for first-class mail?

As mentioned above, unusually sized or shaped mailpieces must be processed outside of the standard, 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 will add a Non-Machinable surcharge on First-Class Mail to any recipient who meets the following criteria.

Unsigned letter that has an aspect ratio (length/height) lower than 1 1/3.
A letter that’s more than 4 1/4 inches high or 6 inches long and is less than 0.009 inches thick
A letter that has clasps or strings, buttons, and similar closure devices
A rigid letter
Un letter parallel to its shorter side with a delivery address
A letter that contains items such as pens, pencils, or keys that create an uneven thickness
A letter which has been poly-wrapped, poly-bagged and sealed in any kind of plastic or with an exterior surface other than paper

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. Some orders qualify for same-day or next-day shipping. Amazon: Buy Now We receive a commission when you purchase, but it is at no extra cost to you.

What is the cost of non-machinable stamps?

Non-Machinable Stamps now sell for $0.88. They are $0.30 more than Standard-Sized First-Class Letters.

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.

Can I Use A Non-Machinable Stamp On Regular Mail?

Technically speaking you can use Non Machinable stamps to send regular mail.

These stamps, however, are non-machinable and cover the First Class postage rate of a one-ounce letter as well as any Non-Machinable surcharge.

A standard-sized letter does not require you to pay the surcharge. You won’t be paying too much if your non-Machinable stamp is used on your letter.

What if I don’t have a non-machinable stamp? Can I use two forever stamps instead?

Two Forever Stamps are allowed to be used in conjunction with the Non-Machinable surcharge. Forever Stamps are currently $0.58. This means that if you buy two of them together, it will cover $1.16 worth postage.

Further, Non-Machinable stamps cost $0.88. Two Forever Stamps are more than sufficient postage to pay the surcharge.

Although you can buy multiple Forever Stamps rather than one Non-Machinable Stamp, this will mean that you’ll end up paying more postage.

It is therefore more economic to buy a Non Machinable stamp.

What are the best places to buy non-machinable stamps?

There are many options to purchase Non-Machinable stamped at your Post Office.

You can also buy individual stamps if you purchase stamps in person. 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.

What do Non-Machinable Stamps Look like?

Non-Machinable stamps are sometimes called butterfly stamps because they all feature butterflies.

This was a result of a collaboration between USPS & the Greeting Cards Association that took place in 2010.

A further goal of both companies was to allow consumers to check if the postage they paid on heavier, irregularly-shaped mail envelopes was to avoid confusion.

USPS agreed that all Non-Machinable stamps would feature butterflies, and greeting card firms began to print a symbol of the butterfly for cards that did not require a Non Machinable stamp.

The USPS currently has two butterfly stamps. One features the California Dogface butterfly and the other features the Colorado Hairstreak butterflies.

Each stamp features the image of a butterfly, along with the words “USA”, Non-Machinable Surcharge and the date of release.

Our posts about military stamps as well as priority mail and semi-postal postal stamps will help you to understand more.

Conclusion

USPS has Non-Machinable stamps that can help you send an original wedding invitation or a funny birthday card.

How much does non-machinable mail cost?

Nonmachinable mailpieces can be mailpieces that are not automated. Because it is more expensive to processes these mailpieces, a surcharge applies to them.

What Is A Non-Machinable Butterfly Stamp Worth?

December 31, 2009

Which Non-Machinable Stamps Are Worth How Much?

2-ounces

How much is The Butterfly Stamp worth in 2021

Price for an additional ounce remains unchanged at 20c. A surcharge of 20-30 cents will be added for square-shaped non-standard cards. So, the Butterfly Stamps will be priced at 88 cents. June 1, 2020

.What Are Non-Machinable Stamps? (Meaning, Value + More)