ICASA > ICASA Fees and Charges for Postal Services > Fees and Charges for Postal Services - 2023 > 1.1 Limits of mass and size of postal articles in the domestic service

Letter products (domestic only)
Class of letter product	Maximum thickness	Maximum mass	Size limitations
			Maximum	Minimum
Small (DL) maxi Medium (B5) Large (B4) Postcards	5mm 10 mm 30 mm 0,295 mm	50 g 1 kg 1 kg 10 g	120 mm x 235mm 250 mm x 176mm 353 mm x 250mm 353 mm x 250mm	90 mm x 140 mm 90 mm x 140 mm
Cylinders/rolled items	70 mm 70 mm	1 kg 1 kg	Length 520 mm Length 620 mm
Rolled addressed newspapers	70 mm	1kg	353 mm

Out of standard

When articles do not conform to the maximum mass, size or thickness, the next rate category must be applied.

Articles smaller than 90 mm x 140 mm

The rate applicable must be charged according to the criteria for B5 or B4.

Domestic bulk mail

Unsorted (ordinary) bulk mail

•	The service is suitable for individuals and businesses that post 100 and more domestic letters.

•	Mail will only be accepted if an official payment method is used, i.e, stamps, remote meter-setting franking machine mail, postage-paid and postage-included envelopes.

•	Remote meter-setting mail may only be posted at designated offices.

•	Mail paid for by all other payment methods may be posted at any Post Office/Mail Centre.

•	Letters must be faced and tied in bundles when handed in over the counter.

Pre-sorted bulk mail

•	The service is suitable for businesses that post large numbers of domestic letters. The minimum volume is 1 000 and more presorted articles per consignment.

•	The items must meet the relevant criteria as described in the National Bulk Mail Service Guide.

•	All articles in a consignment must—

-	originate from the same sender,

-	be identical in shape, size and mass; and

-	have the same contents.

•	The articles must contain return addresses.

•	Mail will only be accepted if the official payment methods are used, ie stamps, Permit Mail (only presorted bulk mail), remote meter-setting franking machine mail, postage-paid and postage-included envelopes.

•	No rebates apply to letters with stamps as a payment method.

•	The client must have his database checked by an official PAMSS and provide the official grading certificate with each posting together with the Bulk Mail Delivery Note.

•	Mail must be posted at designated mail centres and mail accepting offices only.

Items larger than 353 x 250 mm, thicker than 30 mm and weighing more than 1 kg will be considered parcels.

Postal Services Act, 1998 (Act No. 124 of 1998)