First Class Airmail



If you want to send air mail items out of Hong Kong, the best option is to use our basic air service. The postage rate depends on the destination, format and weight of the item, which can be up to 50g, 500g and 2 kg for small letters, large letters and packets respectively. On May 15, 1918, in the midst of World War I, a small group of Army pilots delivered mail along a route that linked Washington, Philadelphia, and New York—initiating the world's first regularly scheduled airmail.

First-Class Mail Fact Sheet

First class airmail letter to uk

What is First-Class Mail Shape-Based Pricing?

Class

First-Class Mail shape-based pricing aligns the shape of mail with the relative processing costs for each mail shape.

The major changes made to First-Class Mail (retail) in May 2007 are detailed here to help you understand what changed and discuss the changes with customers.

Letters

  • The single-piece 1-ounce letter rate is $0.41, the additional ounce price is $0.17, and the single-piece postcard rate is $0.26.
  • The maximum size for letters did not change: 11-1/2' x 6-1/8' x 1/4' thick.
  • When a piece of First-Class Mail exceeds any one of the maximum measurements of a letter, it is classified and priced as a large envelope (flat).
  • The maximum weight for letter-size pieces is 3.5 ounces.
  • The $0.17 nonmachinable surcharge applies to all First-Class Mail letters weighing up to the maximum weight of 3.5 ounces, with one or more nonmachin­able characteristics.
  • Common nonmachinable characteristics include the following:
    • The aspect ratio (length divided by height) is less than 1.3 or more than 2.5.
    • The mailpiece is rigid or contains odd-shaped items.
    • The delivery address is parallel to the shorter dimension of the mailpiece.
    • The mailpiece measures more than 6' long or 4-1/4' high, if the thickness is less than 0.009'.

Large Envelopes (Flats)

First-class airmail postage to england
  • The single-piece 1-ounce rate for large envelopes (flats) is $0.80.
  • The maximum size for large envelopes is 15' x 12' x 3/4' thick.
  • The maximum weight for large envelopes is 13 ounces. A large envelope exceeding 13 ounces is classified as a Priority Mail item.
  • When a First-Class Mail item exceeds any one of the maximum measurements of a large envelope, it is classified and priced as a package (parcel).
  • When a flat-size piece of mail is a box or has contents that make the mailpiece rigid, it is classified and priced as a package.
  • All large envelopes (flats) must be rectangular. “Rect­angular” includes square-shaped pieces.

Packages (Parcels)

  • The maximum weight for First-Class Mail packages is 13 ounces. A package exceeding 13 ounces is classified as a Priority Mail item.

The decrease in price to $0.17 for each additional ounce for all mail shapes results in lower prices for letters weigh­ing over 1 ounce and for large envelopes weighing over 6 ounces.

Customers may save $0.39 on the first ounce by folding the contents of a flat-size mailpiece (large envelope) into a letter-size mailpiece. Also, some items prepared as a pack­age may be reconfigured and placed in a large envelope, saving $0.33 on the first ounce.

First-class Airmail Postage

First-Class Mail Quick Tips

  • Square greeting cards that are letter-size are mailable at letter rates and are subject to the $0.17 nonma­chinable surcharge in addition to the applicable First-Class Mail letter postage. (See DMM 101.1.2 for non­machinable criteria.)
  • If a mailpiece measures11-1/2' or 6-1/8' or less and is 1/4' thick or less (letter-size), does not weigh more than 3.5 ounces, and is rigid, it is classified and priced as a nonmachinable letter. The applicable First-Class Mail letter postage and $0.17 nonmachin­able surcharge applies.
  • The nonmachinable surcharge applies only to First-Class Mail letters. It does not apply to postcards eli­gible for the card rate, large envelopes, or packages.
  • When greeting cards exceed any one of the letter-size measurements (e.g., 6-1/8' height), they are classified and priced as flats (large envelopes). Do not price these cards as parcels.
  • When a piece of First-Class Mail exceeds any one of the maximum measurements (length, height, or thickness) of one mail shape, it is classified and priced as the next larger shape.
  • A mailpiece must be flat-size or larger, if rigid, or over 3/4' thick to be classified and priced as a package (parcel).
  • For padded bags (e.g., ReadyPost® “cushion mailer”), when the thickness is 3/4' or less and the item is flat-size and somewhat flexible, the item should be classified and priced as a large envelope.
  • The minimum mailable size for pieces 1/4' thick or less is 5' long x 3-1/2' high x 0.007' thick.
  • Use Notice 3-S, First-Class Mail Shape-Based Pricing Template, to measure mail thickness. (See page 32 in this issue of the Postal Bulletin for ordering instructions.)

First-class Airmail To Canada