--- title: "Mailing a package with stamps: the 10 oz, 1/2 inch rule" description: "Yes, but a stamped package over 10 oz or 1/2 in. thick must be handed in at a Post Office counter, and stamps pay retail prices. The rule and the math." canonical: https://resellerindex.com/usps/rules/mailing-packages-with-stamps/ last_updated: 2026-10-19 publisher: "The Reseller Index" --- # Can you mail a package with stamps? **Yes, but a package that uses stamps and is more than 1/2 inch thick or more than 10 oz must be handed to a Post Office counter.** Left in your mailbox, the carrier will leave it; dropped in a blue collection box, it comes back to you. Stamps also pay retail prices: a 4 oz Ground Advantage package to Zone 5 needs $9.35 in stamps (12 Forever stamps at 82¢), against $8.24 with an online label. Rates verified on Oct 19, 2026 Postage in the examples is from Notice 123 effective Oct 4, 2026, which includes USPS's temporary holiday prices for Ground Advantage and Priority Mail until 12 a.m. CT Jan 17, 2027. The fees quoted here are the same as in the July 12, 2026 edition, before the holiday prices began. ## The rule, in USPS's words > “If your package uses stamps and is more than one-half inch thick or weighs more than 10 oz, you must take it to a Post Office counter and give it to the Retail Associate at the counter.” [USPS, How to Send a Package, step 6](https://www.usps.com/ship/packages.htm), read Oct 19, 2026 > “if you put it in your mailbox for pickup, the carrier will leave it. If you drop it in a blue collection box or Post Office lobby mail receptacle, it will be returned to you.” [USPS, How to Send a Package, step 6](https://www.usps.com/ship/packages.htm), read Oct 19, 2026 > “If you're mailing restricted hazardous materials, you can't use stamps—use one of the other methods to pay for postage.” [USPS, How to Send a Package, step 5](https://www.usps.com/ship/packages.htm), read Oct 19, 2026 > “Registered end-users of USPS-approved PC Postage products when using a qualifying shipping label, managed by the PC Postage system.” [DMM 283.1.2 (who gets commercial prices)](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/283.htm), read Oct 19, 2026 > “the total postage affixed must equal at least the postage charge for the class of the mail” [DMM 604.1.2](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/604.htm), read Oct 19, 2026 ## What it costs, with examples *Stamps needed at 82¢ a Forever stamp, and where the piece can go in. Prices from Notice 123 effective Oct 4, 2026; drop-off rule from USPS's How to Send a Package page.* | Piece | Postage | Forever stamps | Drop it in a mailbox? | Online label | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Ground Advantage parcel, 9 oz, 3/8 in. thick, Zone 5 | $11.70 | 15 | yes (under 10 oz and under 1/2 in.) | $8.24 | | The same parcel in a 3/4 in. thick mailer | $11.70 | 15 | no: counter (over 1/2 in.) | $8.24 | | Ground Advantage parcel, 4 oz, Zone 5 | $9.35 | 12 | only if under 1/2 in. thick | $8.24 | | Media Mail book, 1 lb | $4.39 | 6 | no: counter (over 10 oz) | $4.39 (same price) | ## Edge cases - **Stamps can't buy commercial prices:** the DMM gives them to PC Postage labels, IBI meters and permit imprint ([DMM 283.1.2](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/283.htm)), and USPS says its own Click-N-Ship sells Priority Mail and Ground Advantage at commercial rates too ([USPS](https://www.usps.com/ship/packages.htm)). - **Overpaying:** Forever stamps rarely add up to the exact price; 12 stamps for the 4 oz parcel above is $0.49 more than the postage. Smaller stamps can make up the difference. - **APO/FPO/DPO:** any item that needs a customs form and is paid only with stamps must be presented at a counter ([DMM 703.2.5.2](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/703.htm)). - **Hazmat:** restricted hazardous materials can't be paid with stamps at all ([USPS](https://www.usps.com/ship/packages.htm)). - **Printed postage goes anywhere:** labels from Click-N-Ship or a USPS kiosk can use any drop-off method ([USPS](https://www.usps.com/ship/packages.htm)). ## What to do - Buy the label online instead: commercial prices are lower and the package can go in a mailbox, a collection box or a pickup. - If you use stamps, hand anything over 10 oz or 1/2 in. thick to the counter so it isn't returned to you. ## Questions ### Can I put a stamped package in a blue mailbox? Only if it is less than 1/2 in. thick and weighs less than 10 oz. A heavier or thicker stamped package left in a collection box is returned to you; it has to go over a Post Office counter ([USPS](https://www.usps.com/ship/packages.htm)). ### How many Forever stamps for a package? Divide the postage by 82¢ and round up: 12 for a 4 oz Ground Advantage parcel to Zone 5 ($9.35 retail). Stamps pay retail prices, not the lower online ones. ## Related rules - [When does a padded envelope count as a package instead of a large envelope?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/rules/padded-envelope-flat-or-parcel/) Large envelope prices only up to 15 x 12 x 3/4 in., flexible and evenly thick (1/4 in. variance); otherwise parcel prices. - [Does USPS round up package weight?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/rules/weight-rounding/) Ground Advantage steps at 4, 8, 12 and 15.999 oz, then whole pounds; any fraction rounds up. Priority Mail rounds up to the pound. - [What makes a letter nonmachinable, and what does USPS charge?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/rules/nonmachinable-surcharge/) 49¢ on letters that are square or narrow, rigid, lumpy, in plastic, clasped, or addressed along the short side. - [How do you ship an online sale to an APO, FPO or DPO address?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/rules/apo-fpo-dpo-shipping/) Domestic prices, but a customs form for anything 16 oz or more or containing goods; no used electronics or spare batteries. - [What does USPS charge to ship hazmat?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/rules/hazmat-fees/) $7.50 handling by Priority Mail, $0.00 by Ground Advantage; $50.00 for hazmat not properly declared on online labels. Also on this site: [Do you have to take Media Mail to the Post Office counter?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/media-mail/post-office-counter/) [All 25 USPS package rules](https://resellerindex.com/usps/rules/) ## Sources Rates verified on Oct 19, 2026 from each official page below. - [USPS Notice 123, Price List (effective Oct 4, 2026)](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm) - [USPS Domestic Mail Manual 283: Ground Advantage commercial prices and eligibility](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/283.htm) - [USPS Domestic Mail Manual 604: postage payment, rounding and postage discrepancies](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/604.htm) - [USPS Domestic Mail Manual 703.2: overseas military and diplomatic mail (APO/FPO/DPO)](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/703.htm) - [USPS: How to Send a Package (domestic)](https://www.usps.com/ship/packages.htm) Subscribe: https://resellerindex.com/subscribe/ Pricing postage into every listing? 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