How Much Is a Butterfly Non-Machinable Stamp Worth?
Demystify the butterfly non-machinable stamp. Learn its exact purpose, value, and how to properly use it for mail that requires special postal handling.
When sending mail, some items require special handling because they cannot be processed by automated sorting machines. The United States Postal Service (USPS) designates these mailpieces as “non-machinable.” The butterfly non-machinable stamp covers the additional cost associated with the manual sorting of these unique mail items.
What Makes Mail Non-Machinable?
Mailpieces are classified as non-machinable by the USPS if they possess characteristics that prevent them from moving smoothly through automated processing equipment. This includes items that are rigid or have an uneven thickness, such as those containing clasps, string, buttons, or pens. Lumpy letters or those containing objects that cause the mailpiece to bulge are also non-machinable.
Oddly shaped mail, like square envelopes, round tubes, or items that do not conform to standard rectangular dimensions, requires manual handling. Mailpieces exceeding specific thickness or aspect ratio limits are also classified as non-machinable. These characteristics require postal workers to sort the mail by hand, incurring an additional surcharge beyond the standard postage rate.
The Value of the Butterfly Stamp
The butterfly non-machinable stamp covers the non-machinable surcharge. As of July 13, 2025, this surcharge is 46 cents. The stamp’s value is directly tied to this rate, meaning it will always cover this fee, even if the surcharge amount changes in the future.
The butterfly stamp only covers the non-machinable portion of a mailpiece’s postage cost. It is used in addition to a standard First-Class Mail stamp, like a Forever stamp, to meet the full postage for a non-machinable item.
Applying Non-Machinable Postage
To properly mail a non-machinable item, you must combine the butterfly non-machinable stamp with other postage to cover the total required amount. As of July 13, 2025, a standard 1-ounce First-Class Mail Forever stamp costs 78 cents. When sending a non-machinable letter weighing one ounce, you would attach one Forever stamp and one butterfly stamp to cover the total cost of $1.24 (78 cents for the First-Class letter plus 46 cents for the non-machinable surcharge). If your item weighs more than one ounce, you would add an additional 29 cents for each extra ounce.
These stamps can be purchased from various convenient locations. You can acquire them at any local Post Office branch, through the official USPS website, or from authorized postal product retailers. If a butterfly stamp is unavailable, the non-machinable surcharge can be covered by adding regular postage stamps that collectively equal the 46-cent surcharge value. This ensures your unique mailpiece receives the necessary manual handling and reaches its destination without issue.