Chippers,

There have been complaints in our hobby that the USPS overcharges for bubble mailers by treating them as packages. I searched the USPS website and found this FAQ about bubble mailers that indicates that they should be treated as large envelopes. I encourage everyone using bubble mailers to print this out and bring it the USPS to show them in order to get the 1st class mail large envelope rates, instead of the package rate. If it works, let everyone know by posting your success or failure here. Thanks.

https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2007/html/pb22218/kit1_021.html

Postal Bulletin 22218 > 2007 Product and Pricing Holiday Mailing Kit > Frequently Asked Questions

Domestic Mail FAQs

General

Q. Are items sent at First-Class Mail flats rates (large envelopes) required to be flexible and “uniformly thick”?
A. Yes. Large envelopes as well as padded mailing bags must be somewhat flexible (not rigid) and uniformly thick. Items mailed in large envelopes cannot have more than a 1/4 inch variance in thickness. Also, mailpieces must be rectangular with a maximum thickness (at the thickest point) of 3/4 inch. A mail¬piece that exceeds any one of the maximum physical dimensions (15 inches x 12 inches x 3/4 inch thick) is classified and priced as a package (parcel).

Current Large Envelope Rates