What Are Non-Machinable Stamps? (Meaning, Value + More)
USPS is known for its efficient mail sorting machine. These machines are capable of sorting up to 36,000 pieces per 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. Not surprisingly, that takes more time.
What is a non-machinable Stamp?
USPS does not issue non-Machinable stamps. These stamps cover first-class domestic mailpieces and do not meet specified sizing criteria. You can find Non-Machinable products in square greeting cards or rigid letters. They are not compatible with sorting machines, so you will need to hand cancel them.
What exactly is non-Machinable mailing?
Before getting into what Non-Machinable stamps are, it’s helpful to have some background about Non-Machinable mail.
In the simplest terms, Non-Machinable mail is any piece of mail that USPS’ machines can’t sort due to an irregular size or shape.
It is the most used form of greeting cards. USPS defines a standard-sized letter as:
Minimum of 3 1/2 in high.
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 takes more time than machine sorting. 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
Like the previous paragraph, mailpieces of unusual size or shape must be handled outside the automated standard mail process.
The surcharge is due to the fact that most of these cases are handsorted in part by USPS employees.
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. Some orders qualify for same-day or next-day shipping. Amazon, Buy Now
How much do non-machinable stamps cost?
At the moment, non-machinable stamps are $0.88. This makes them $0.30 less expensive than regular-sized First Class letters.
Do Non-Machinable Stamps Count 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, yes, you can use Non-Machinable stamps for regular mail.
Non-Machinable stamps will cover the First class postage for a letter of one-ounce plus any non-Machinable surcharge.
The surcharge is not required if the letter you send is standard-sized. You will not be charged extra if you are using a non-machinable stamp to sign your letter.
One Non-Machinable Stamp is not available. Can two Forever Stamps be used?
Yes, you can use two Forever Stamps to cover the Non-Machinable surcharge. Currently, Forever Stamps cost $0.58, so if you add two together, that covers $1.16 worth of postage.
Also, the non-machinable stamps go for $0.88. Therefore, two Forever Stamps is more than enough postage to cover 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.
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).
Individual stamps can be purchased if bought in-person. You will need to purchase a sheet 20 if buying non-Machinable stamps over the internet or by phone.
How Much Are Non-Machinable Stamps?
Current Non-Machinable stamps can be purchased for $0.88. That price includes $0.58 First-Class fee and the $0.30 Non Machinable surcharge.
For comparison, the price of a single sheet with 20 Non-Machinable stamped is $17.60
What does a non-machinable stamp look like?
Butterfly stamps are also known as non-Machinable Stamps. They all have butterflies.
This is despite the fact that this was a joint decision between USPS & Greeting Card Assocation 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 agreed to use butterflies on all its Non-Machinable stamps. Greeting card companies also started using a butterfly icon for non-Machinable stamp cards.
The USPS currently has two butterfly stamps. One features the California Dogface butterfly and the other features the Colorado Hairstreak butterflies.
The stamps have the butterflies image in addition to “USA,” the “Non Machinable Surcharge”, and the year they were released.
You can read more about what are military stamps and priority mail stamps.
Whether you’re sending a funky birthday card or a unique wedding invitation, USPS’ Non-Machinable stamps are there to help make sure your item gets to its destination safely for an affordable price.
Is non-machinable mail more expensive?
A non-machinable mailing piece is mail that can’t be automated. Because it is more expensive to processes these mailpieces, a surcharge applies to them.
How Much Does a Butterfly Stamp Non-Machinable Worth?
Dec 31, 2009
Which Non-Machinable Stamps Are Worth How Much?
2-ounces
What Is the Value of the Butterfly Stamp in 2021
An extra ounce of silver will cost 20 cents. For non-standard square-shaped cards, the surcharge will rise to 20 to 30c. So, the Butterfly Stamps will be priced at 88 cents. June 1, 2020
.What Are Non-Machinable Stamps? (Meaning, Value + More)
