To be confused about postage (cards "may require extra postage")

[AliceinBunniland]

I got a box of hand crafted cards from Costco, the kind with bits stuck on, each one different, and have just realised they all say "may require extra postage".

I read online a first class stamp covers up to 100g and the cards I have weighed (the ones that look heaviest) weigh around 35-40g.

Some of them are a little bulky but not massively. If they are not hugely thick would you assume a standard 1st or 2nd class stamp is fine?

If they are within the weight and size limits then I'd use the usual 1st /2nd class stamps

You can do whatever you want but knowing Royal Mail they probably won't arrive by Christmas anyway.

If they have little sticky out bits they will need extra postage as they won’t fit through the ‘letter sizer’ it would be best to get them checked before sending otherwise the recipient will have to pay a surcharge to receive it.

I'd be more worried about them arriving before Christmas than needing to pay extra postage. So long as they're under the weight and size limits then a regualr stamp should be sufficent.

Royal mail letters are up to date, no major delays if first class .

This gives the limits for letter/large letter, etc

I have Costco cards, the Peanuts ones, they say the same. As they also say 'Happy Holidays' I assumed it was aimed more at the US postal service than Royal Mail.

It's not just at weight, its size and thickness too

personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/89/~/size-and-weight-guide-%E2%80%93-uk-letters-and-parcels

If the postage is underpaid, it'll cost the recipient the difference plus a handling charge (of about £1 I think) before it'll be released

It all depends on the thickness of the embellishments.... And may need to go as large letter which costs more.

A quick Google says letters are up to 5mm thick. Over 5mm thickness is large letter.

They need to be less than 0.5cm thick to qualify as a letter. If thicker than 0.5cm they are large letters and require more than a standard stamp.

It's hard to say if they are wider than 5mm

I might go to the post office to be on the safe side

I also bought some 2nd class Christmas cards. Would I be being too optimistic using those?

I have some first ones too but bought the Christmas ones in 2nd class as I thought I'd use those!

I meant I bought 2nd class Christmas stamps

I thought there wasn't much difference

I am trying to use the slimmest one for posting but I need to go to the PO anyway to post some gifts so may sort them all tomorrow

Get a piece of cardboard and cut a 0.5cm slot in it. Then you can easily determine whether the cards are too thick by dropping them through it

Tey posting them through your own letterbox?

Try*

You need to check both weight and dimensions on the post office website - or take them to the Post Office who will give them the correct postage. Be aware that if you don't put enough stamps on, they now charge a flat rate - in other words, if you're not sure you've put enough on, it's better not to put any stamps on at all, because the flat rate means they ignore the value of the stamps you have put on. And to add insult to injury they put their "insufficient postage" sticker over your stamp, so the recipient can't even peel the stamp off and use it elsewhere.

If they fit through your letterbox then they'll fit through others too

@dementedpixie what would that achieve? I dont think anyones letterbox is only 5mm wide, but thats the measurement whereby for postage purposes a letter stops becoming a standard size letter.

Surely you have a ruler or tape measure?

@dementedpixie

If they fit through your letterbox then they'll fit through others too

The item needs to be a maximum of 5mm thick to be classed as a letter. Your advice is not applicable to this, no one is suggesting the cards wouldn't fit through a letterbox, that's not the issue.

0.5mm Is a reasonable thickness. Unless they are very raised, areprobably okay for a normal stamp. I suspect the disclaimer is US. UK cards usually day Large Letter if that's what they need.

Official last posting dates are 18th for second class, 21st for first class and 22/23 for some premium services.

I think we're well in to the zone for 'get then in the post now' rather than wait until the last moment.

And err on the side of using the large letter postal rate if you're not sure, because it's not fair on the recipients to put them to the trouble and expense of dealing with an underpaid item.

@MereDintofPandiculation

You need to check both weight and dimensions on the post office website - or take them to the Post Office who will give them the correct postage. Be aware that if you don't put enough stamps on, they now charge a flat rate - in other words, if you're not sure you've put enough on, it's better not to put any stamps on at all, because the flat rate means they ignore the value of the stamps you have put on. And to add insult to injury they put their "insufficient postage" sticker over your stamp, so the recipient can't even peel the stamp off and use it elsewhere.

The original stamp has been used so can’t be used again anyway, the excess charge is the difference plus fee.

@AliceinBunniland

I meant I bought 2nd class Christmas stamps

I thought there wasn't much difference

I am trying to use the slimmest one for posting but I need to go to the PO anyway to post some gifts so may sort them all tomorrow

Bring the stamps you have already bought, then the Royal Mail staff can confirm if it’s within standard letter you can use the existing stamps.

Some people use two stamps to cover large letter, but in doing so have overpaid by paying double standard

Plain cards will fit in 5mm, slightly embossed cards may still fit, extra layers are pushing it and anything else added will exceed 5mm