small packet vs. letter

[FairyFoot]

i post alot of small items by airmail so this topic is of great interest to me!
iv'e changed the packaging of my items so that most are now less than 100g so will be cheaper to post by letter rate vs. small packet rate.
recently i had an item that was <100g and included a letter but was told it had to go small packet! the customs note stated letter inside plus what the goods were. i challenged the clerk about it having to go small packet rate saying i thought small packets cannot contain a letter! that prompted a discussion between the clerk and post master. anyway they agreed it could go letter rate. iv'e never had any letter rate mail returned to me.
i concur with above posts, no two post offices are the same! my local PO now insists on charging me small packet rate.

My latest airmail letter containing something prompted discussion behind the counter... I mentioned that the letter contained something about the weather! Anyway, it arrived safely in Austria.

[sholland]

Hello all. Is there a definite answer relating to this thread, especially since the April 2013 price changes?
The reason i ask is that on an ebay forum I read recently it is stated the 5mm thickness rule for a letter has yet to be finally implemented by RM, the reason being to give customers a chance to change, or similar words. (I will need to find the other forum and post a link if needed). They say (a letter with goods less than 100g) can still be accepted at some counters as a letter, but some will only allow it as a packet!
What I really need clarifying is this:
is sending a PERSONAL LETTER together with another item(s),say 40g total in a jif bag, as a "letter" rate item rather than a packet still within RM rules?
Are you still allowed to do this?
Thanks,
sholland

[wheelyman]

hello sholland, the 5mm thickness that you mention is not in force and i have no idea if it will be a new rule any time soon. with regards posting items < 100g at letter rate, just tell the jobs worth at the PO that it contains a letter..if they still insist on sending it packet rate go to another post office. the saving can be alot. for example i recently posted a CD in a sleeve that weighed just under 40g to europe. at letter rate it was £1.28 but packet rate it would be £3.00

[sholland]

Thanks, you confirmed what I thought. It would be nice if RM actually published the true facts, as these days it can be so complicated it is hardly surprising some staff do not know the rules. All you can see is still on the website at this moment which still separates letters and small parcels below 100g. Which is what the staff refer to, unsurprisingly. But, a little further down it then states,

"You can send postcards, letters and small parcels weighing up to 2kg with Surface Mail.

It's important to remember that international size dimensions are smaller than those for the UK.

Items in the form of a postcard, letter or parcel
Minimum: One surface at least 9cm x 14cm
No single side must be longer than 60cm."
They refer the above sizes to "surface mail" but surely airmail is identical? The only difference is I think some countries allow a 5kg limit for printed papers via surface mail.

I think I will make sure I have this document with me next time!

Thanks again,
sholland