Postage costs for xmas cards

[shivvy]

I heard part of a discussion on Radio 2 yesterday about xmas cards not being delivered because the stamps didn't cover the postal costs (following the recent change in postal charges).
I know that the cost now depends on the size of the envelope ie length breadth and depth but does it also depend on weight?
If it is within the allocated letter size, does a second class stamp cover the cost ok?
Anything else I am missing?!
I have all my cards written and am ready to post them but I would hate the thought that I would put insufficient stamps on them and the recipient would have to go and pay for the incurred costs as a couple of people mentioned on the radio!
Thanks

[pug100]

Hi,
Most Post Offices will have a template for you to try your letters against. Or try here.

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/content1 ?catId=19100177&mediaId=19100217#1400002

How large can it be?
Mail is now priced depending on size as well as weight, with three distinct size formats: Letter, Large Letter & Packet.

The maximum dimensions for a Letter are 240mm x 165mm and no thicker than 5mm. It must be no heavier than 100g.
The maximum dimensions for a Large Letter are: 353mm x 250mm and no thicker than 25mm. It must be no heavier than 750g.
Any item larger or heavier than these is classed as a Packet, with the maximum dimensions being 610mm x 460mm x 460mm.

There is no wieght limit for 1st Class items when sent as a Packet. The maximum weight limit for a 2nd class item is 750g. If a 2nd class item is sent as a Packet the maximum weight limit then becomes 1000g

Cylindrical packets, such as cardboard tubes, have a maximum length of 900mm. However, the length of the tube, plus twice the diameter must also not exceed 1040mm.


This story ran on Breakfast News last week and the example letter the reporter was holding was huge (a bit bigger than A4 size).
Unless you send really big cards through the post normal first and second class rates should do. Last dates are 17th Dec for second and 21st. Dec for first mainland UK and Channel Islands.

[buildersmate]

You are more likely to fall foul of the size limit than the weight limit.
100g is a hell of a weight for a Xmas card.

[shivvy]

Wow great answer pug - thanks!
I had looked at the Royal Mail website but still wasn't too sure. Just need to clarify 3 issues:
1) as long as they fit within the 240x165x5mm measurement and are under 100g, they can be sent on a second class stamp?
2) my cards are within the 240x165 measurement but are touch and go on the limit of the 5mm - presuming that they might be deemed as over the 5mm, what do they cost? Does a first class stamp cover them?
3) is a first class stamp 34p and a second class 24p?
Thanks.

[gina32]

i took several cards of various sizes to the post office yesterday, they measured every one and weighed them, one of the cards was measured and weighed and put through the size box that many times i thought the writing would wear away, when i wenti nto the post office it was empty when i came out the queue had about 12 people in, and i bet they all loved me, i think they should just go back to how its been for a long time

[kempie]

1) Yes

2) A "letter" over 5mm thick bumps 1st Class from 34p to 48p

3) See links - 1st Class & 2nd Class

[sddsddean]

One of our friends has sent us a card with no stamp on. There is a nice Post Office sticker on saying �1.54 to pay. (54p + �1 handling charge), but our postman didn't bother asking for it. Wonder if this is the way to save on stamps at Xmas?!

[masma]

I sent a card to my brother and it was 100mm square so I thought it would be fine with a first class stamp on it - I didn't bank on the fact that it was 10mm fat.
He got a card through the door saying there was a packet for collection at the sorting office. He had to pay �1.06 to get it. What a rip off!

[Jillius]

My daughter got a birthday card and it had a badge on it but i got a note through my door saying it had insufficient postage on it and that i would have to make a round trip of 50 miles to pick it up and pay the excess which was 1p !! plus admin costs of �1.06p.
I was livid. I put first class stamps on things and they take a week to get there but we aren't allowed to get our money back. I think it's sometimes just petty.

[Hermia]

Last year I got 4 cards with no stamps on at all and they were normal white envelopes so there was no way the stamps could have fallen off. I also got two large cards with insufficient postage. It cost a fortune! If it happens again this year I just won't bother collecting them.