Postal Rates

The Postal Service will do it again - effective May 12, 2008 they will raise rates on the first ounce
from 41 cents to 42 cents.

The additional-ounce price for additional ounces will remain 17 cents.

After the price change, you can continue to use the Forever Stamps which you purchased for 41¢.

The USPS reports they have 5 billion Forever Stamps in stock to meet increased demand before the price change. Forever Stamps are available through Post Offices, Contract Postal Units, consignment locations, Automated Postage Centers, vending, and at The Postal Store®

So, based on the weight of my QSL card per the scales in the Moneta, Virginia Post Office
after May 12 costs to send the following number of cards per weight:

Weight           Postage        Cards
1 ounce          42 cents           7
 2 ounce          59 cents          15
 3 ounce          76 cents          23

The weight limit for regular envelopes is 3.5 ounces which means 93 cents postage for 27 cards.
Above 3.5 ounces the "Large Envelope" rate would apply - 80 cents for first ounce and 17 cents
for each additional ounce.  So, for 4 ounces, approximately 31 cards, the postage required
would be $ 1.31

We will be using stamps from our "stamp kitty" to add the postage required as needed.

We will be using quite a bunch of 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 cent stamps to add to existing SASE's we have on hand.

They have put a limit on the size of envelopes - Maximum length 11 1/2 inches, Maximum height 6 1/8 inches.
Envelopes larger than those maximums are charged at the "Large Envelope" rate - 80 cents for the
first ounce and 17 cents for each additional ounce.

The postcard rate increased from 24 cents to 26 cents. They have established a Maximum length of 6 inches
and a Maximum height of 4 1/4 inches for Postcards.  Most QSL cards are less than these maximums.

The "Forever" stamp which costs 41 cents, will cover the postage for one ounce from now to forever.
Hard to believe but it is true.  Here's what it looks like:

The International Rates to mail outside the United States have also been increased:

The costs of mailing to Canada is:
       One ounce 69 cents, two ounce $1.00, three ounce $1.31, four ounce $1.62.

The costs of mailing to Mexico is:
       one ounce 69 cents, two ounce $1.12, three ounce $1.55, four ounce $1.98.

The costs of mailing to Other North & South America Countries is:
       one ounce 90 cents, two ounce $1.80, three ounce $2.70, four ounce $3.60.

When practical we use the Global Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelopes to send cards to Chuck in England.   This envelope is 9-1/4" x  12-1/4" and has cost $9.50 to mail.  We can put three stacks of cards in that envelope - generally more than 200 cards.   Which means the per card cost is less than 4.5 cents.

When practical we use the smaller size Global Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelopes to send cards to Nigel in New Zealand.  This one is 5-3/4" x  9-7/8" and has cost  $5.25 to send.  Though we can put only one stack of cards in this size envelope, it is cheaper than normal mail when we have more than 50 cards to send.

Your continued donations to help cover the costs of mailing cards to DX members is greatly appreciated.

INTERNATIONAL RATES

                                              Postage to     Postage to    Postage to    Postage to        Postage to
                             Weight       Canada           Mexico         Europe       VK,ZL,JA      Most Others
                             1 ounce        $0.69              $0.69             $0.90           $0.90                  $0.90
                             2 ounce          1.00                1.12               1.80             1.80                    1.80
                             3 ounce          1.31                1.55               2.70             2.75                    2.70
                             4 ounce          1.62                1.98               3.60             3.70                    3.60