You are why that rule exists.

[Dreamstalker]

I'm "on-call" at a nonprofit that's owned by a family friend; I have a key and show up as needed for assembling/posting mailings and information packets. I was down there yesterday (and a few hours today by myself) getting some stuff out. This happened yesterday afternoon.

I'm sure everyone knows the "rules" pasted on every mailbox in the US: anything over 13 ounces must be taken in person to the PO. The prez tends to get frantic about "did it go out" so I will run items down to the mailbox out front myself when I get a reasonable-sized stack.

Just as I exit the building to put our stuff in the mailbox (large stack of envelopes; I know how to put them in so the chute doesn't jam), I see a woman from the office building next door trying to stuff three small flat rate boxes (which clearly weigh more than one pound each) in. They barely clear the opening.

Me: Excuse me, you need to take those to the post office. They can't go in a box.

Cue a Glare like I climbed out of the sewer to impart this wisdom. Yes, I'm wearing sneakers because I was late leaving the house, but other than that I'm dressed like I belong in the building.

She gets the boxes to go in, but the chute and door are now jammed, meaning I have to clock an extra half-hour (half of which was waiting in line) and hoof it over to the post office.

On the way back into the office, I catch sight of the mail carrier trying to unwedge the boxes, one of which has ripped (it looked as if someone else tried to drop mail in and tried to jiggle it loose).

Carrier: Hey, you didn't happen to see who jammed these in, did you?
Me: I think she works in that office there.
Carrier: If something doesn't fit it doesn't fit. How do you NOT see the disclaimer when you open the box?

[Aethian]

Just a disclaimer...the rule was not orginally made by the post office. It was made during the time of airport reforms and safeties. Since the postal service does not have their own planes we must abide by those rules. And when a clerk accepts a package we can say we saw the person and asked the questions of is it dangerous or not. (LONG speach the window clerks get to go through.)

ALSO this only applies to items with stamps on them. Items with pitneys (metered) or items with the postage printed from the usps website are exempt from this rule.

This has been your carrier disclaimer. Now on to the human's response.


What a ding bat, probably going to be the first to explode that they got damaged cause she jammed them in.

[Dreamstalker]

I didn't see whether they were metered or not, but the box that got torn did have about ten stamps on it. If we have parcels, the boss always tells me to run them to the PO if there is any doubt at all whether they'll fit in the box (possibly to avoid exactly what happened).

[Aethian]

Then yup she falls right under that rule.

Do you not have a weigh machine? Could print labels off from the usps website and get free delivery confirmation and free carrier pick up.

[mikoyan29]

I thought the rule came about because of the Unabomber?

[Aethian]

Nope...from the FFA.

[JLRodgers]

Can I at least hope they put a return address on it -- and they shoved the packages down...er... returned them to the sender?

[Dreamstalker]

We have a scale; the idjit who stuffed the boxes in wasn't from our building.

Typically things we send out are letter-sized, so it's fairly easy to manage (the only oddballs are large envelopes going to the EU/UK; then I have to use the scale and go online).

[Sparky]

The one pound rule doesn't apply to the flat rate boxes, though.

The only weight restriction is a 4-pound limit for international.

[Aethian]

If it has stamps the rule applies to it.

New 13-Ounce Mail Rule to Take Effect July 30, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC — A new Postal Service rule goes into effect next week for packages and envelopes that weigh more than 13 ounces, if they’re being mailed with only stamps as postage at a location other than a Post Office retail service counter.

Starting Monday, July 30, customers can use one of several convenient online postage applications — available 24/7 — or an Automated Postal Center, if they wish to mail items that weigh more than 13 ounces in Postal Service collection boxes or Post Office lobby mail slots; or if they wish to leave the items for pickup by their letter carriers. Online postage applications include the Postal Service’s Click-N-Ship service on usps.com and PC Postage from an authorized USPS vendor.

If a customer is unable to use one of the above methods to prepare and affix postage, items weighing more than 13 ounces must be presented for mailing to an employee at a Post Office retail service counter. Business customers who use postage meters may continue to use meter postage for packages of any weight and mailing method.

Customers will notice new decals on USPS collection boxes, and Post Office lobby and Automated Postal Center mail drop slots. The new red, white and blue decals inform customers that deposit of stamped mail over 13 ounces is prohibited, and any such mail will be returned.

Previously, the prohibition applied to mail over 16 ounces. The change is part of ongoing security measures established by the Postal Service, in cooperation with other government agencies to keep the public, customers, employees and the U.S. Mail safe.

Trying to find a picture of the label itself...only things I have found so far are in places I have to log into.

[Sparky]

If it has stamps the rule applies to it.




Trying to find a picture of the label itself...only things I have found so far are in places I have to log into.

You're probably right.