What Are You Mailing?
Knowing the shape of your mail determines the price you will pay.
PostcardRectangular cardstock mailpiece not contained in an envelope
LetterSmall rectangular mailpiece no thicker than 1/4 inch
Large EnvelopeFlat rectangular mailpiece no thicker than 3/4 inch
PackageA three-dimensional mailpiece contained in a box, thick envelope, or tube, weighing up to 70 pounds
See rate charts.
Mailpiece Dimensions
SHAPE
LENGTH
HEIGHT
Postcard
minimummaximum
5 inch min.6 inch max.
3-1/2 inch min.4-1/4 inch max.
Letter(up to 3.5 ounces)
minimummaximum
5 inch min.11-1/2 inch max.
3-1/2 inch min.6-1/8 inch max.
Large Envelope
minimum*
11-1/2 inch min.
6-1/8 inch min.
Package
Weight cannot exceed 70 pounds.Length + girth (distance around the thickest part of the package) cannot exceed 108 inches. (Parcel Post cannot exceed 130 inches.)* Large envelopes exceed one or more letter-size maximum dimensions.
Some Shapes, such as tubes and square envelopes, may require additional postage. Postcards, letters, large envelopes and packages pay different prices.
Click-N-Ship® Services Click-N-Ship brings the Post Office to your desktop at home or at the office with no additional fees.
Print a shipping label-with or without postage. Delivery Confirmation is provided for all domestic Priority Mail packages sent via Click-N-Ship at no additional cost.
Carrier Pickup™The Postal Service makes shipping your packages quick and convenient. Carrier Pickup is available with Express Mail, Priority Mail, and international package services. Just prepare your package before your letter carrier arrives—including postage—and your letter carrier will pick it up for you.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Monday, November 5, 2007
There’s so much more we can do for you – just ask us. Whether you want delivery of your mail verified, your payments collected for you, your merchandise insured or special handling for your packages, use our Extra Services to get added security and convenience for your mailing or shipment.
Print a Shipping Label
Print a Priority Mail® label and get Delivery Confirmation™ at no added cost.
Proof of Mailing
Certificate of Mailing - This receipt shows evidence of mailing and can be purchased only at the time of mailing.
Certified Mail™ - You get a mailing receipt and can verify date and time of delivery online.Protection in Transit
Insured Mail - If you’re sending valuable merchandise through the mail, you’ll want to protect it against loss, damage or theft. You can add insurance to cover your mailing up to $5,000. Now also available at Automated Postal Centers (APCs) and Online through Click-N-Ship or eBay up to $500.
Registered Mail™ - Mailing highly valuable items, worth up to $25,000. This provides the maximum security, and online access to delivery information. Includes Proof of Mailing.Confirmation at Delivery
Collect on Delivery (COD) - Want your customers to pay for their merchandise and/or postage at the time of delivery? We’ll pick up the payment for you – and get a signature to verify delivery.
Delivery Confirmation™ - You can verify when your package was delivered or get information on delivery attempts, forwardings, or returns. Delivery Confirmation is now available to most APO/FPO destinations and some Pacific Islands. Information is available online or via toll-free number.
Restricted Delivery - When you need to make sure your package lands in the right hands, choose Restricted Delivery. Only the individuals you specify are authorized to sign for it.
Return Receipt - Want hard evidence that your mail was delivered? With this service, you get a postcard sent to you, signed by the person who received your package.
Return Receipt for Merchandise - You’re covered both ways, with both a mailing receipt at the time of sending, and a signed, dated return receipt after delivery.
Signature Confirmation™ - Get written proof by asking us to request a signature from the person that received your mail or shipment. You can even have a proof of delivery letter with the signature of the recipient faxed or mailed to you upon request.Services after Mailing
Merchandise Return - Your customers will appreciate the ability to return merchandise easily at no cost to them. When you have a Merchandise Return permit, you pay the postage and fees for goods sent back to you.Additional Information
Extra Service Labels - These labels are affixed in specific areas on your letter or package to let us know which Extra Services you’ve paid for.
Extra Service Features & Fees - Learn about rates for all of our Extra Services.Related Publications
Extra Services Guide (Pub 370) - Summary of the services and guidelines in a PDF format also available at Post Offices.
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) Section 503 – comprehensive explanation and rules for all Extra Services
A Customer's Guide to Mailing - Your simple guide to mailing in the U.S.
Extra Service Quick Service Guide 900
Print a Shipping Label
Print a Priority Mail® label and get Delivery Confirmation™ at no added cost.
Proof of Mailing
Certificate of Mailing - This receipt shows evidence of mailing and can be purchased only at the time of mailing.
Certified Mail™ - You get a mailing receipt and can verify date and time of delivery online.Protection in Transit
Insured Mail - If you’re sending valuable merchandise through the mail, you’ll want to protect it against loss, damage or theft. You can add insurance to cover your mailing up to $5,000. Now also available at Automated Postal Centers (APCs) and Online through Click-N-Ship or eBay up to $500.
Registered Mail™ - Mailing highly valuable items, worth up to $25,000. This provides the maximum security, and online access to delivery information. Includes Proof of Mailing.Confirmation at Delivery
Collect on Delivery (COD) - Want your customers to pay for their merchandise and/or postage at the time of delivery? We’ll pick up the payment for you – and get a signature to verify delivery.
Delivery Confirmation™ - You can verify when your package was delivered or get information on delivery attempts, forwardings, or returns. Delivery Confirmation is now available to most APO/FPO destinations and some Pacific Islands. Information is available online or via toll-free number.
Restricted Delivery - When you need to make sure your package lands in the right hands, choose Restricted Delivery. Only the individuals you specify are authorized to sign for it.
Return Receipt - Want hard evidence that your mail was delivered? With this service, you get a postcard sent to you, signed by the person who received your package.
Return Receipt for Merchandise - You’re covered both ways, with both a mailing receipt at the time of sending, and a signed, dated return receipt after delivery.
Signature Confirmation™ - Get written proof by asking us to request a signature from the person that received your mail or shipment. You can even have a proof of delivery letter with the signature of the recipient faxed or mailed to you upon request.Services after Mailing
Merchandise Return - Your customers will appreciate the ability to return merchandise easily at no cost to them. When you have a Merchandise Return permit, you pay the postage and fees for goods sent back to you.Additional Information
Extra Service Labels - These labels are affixed in specific areas on your letter or package to let us know which Extra Services you’ve paid for.
Extra Service Features & Fees - Learn about rates for all of our Extra Services.Related Publications
Extra Services Guide (Pub 370) - Summary of the services and guidelines in a PDF format also available at Post Offices.
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) Section 503 – comprehensive explanation and rules for all Extra Services
A Customer's Guide to Mailing - Your simple guide to mailing in the U.S.
Extra Service Quick Service Guide 900
What are the minimum / maximum lengths of time the Post Office will hold my mail?
Hold Mail requests must be for a minimum duration of 3 days. The maximum duration for Hold Mail requests is 30 days. If you need mail held longer than 30 days, please contact your local Post Office.
Note: Hold Mail requests are not necessary for Post Office Box customers. The mail is allowed to accumulate up to 30 days.
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How far in advance do I need to submit my online Hold Mail request?
Online Hold Mail requests submitted before 2:00 A.M. Central Time can begin on the same Postal business day. Postal business days are Monday through Saturday.
You may place your mail on hold up to 14 days in advance. This has been reduced from 90 days in advance to ensure accuracy, as of November 15th, 2004. Requests must be made no later than 2:00 AM Central Time the day the hold is to take affect.
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Will I receive my accumulated mail on the "End Date" or the day after the "End Date?"
The "End Date" of your Hold Mail request is the date mail is delivered. If you chose the option to pickup your held mail, regular mail delivery will resume after you pickup your accumulated mail. A third party may pickup accumulated mail if authorization has been submitted in writing to the local Post Office. You, or the authorized third party, must present a photo I.D. if the option to pickup mail is chosen.
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When my mail is being held, are packages held too?
Yes. When your mail is placed on hold, your Post Office will hold all packages as well.
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Do I need to submit multiple hold requests if there is more than one person at the same address?
All mail regardless of name will be held for the address entered. Submitting an online Hold Mail request once is all you have to do to hold mail delivery for everyone at the address.
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Can I request a Hold with an active Change of Address (COA)?
If the Hold Request is for the new / current address you may submit a normal Hold Request.
If the Hold Request is for the old / previous address AND you are now residing at that address:
The forwarding request must be canceled before you can submit a Hold Mail Request.
Please go into your local Post Office facility to cancel the existing Change of Address (COA).
After the COA has been canceled, you may submit your Hold Request.
If the Hold Request is for the old / previous address AND you do not reside at that address you may not submit a Hold Request since you do not live there.
Note: If you submit a Hold Request and later submit another COA, the COA overrides the Hold Mail request.
Hold Mail requests must be for a minimum duration of 3 days. The maximum duration for Hold Mail requests is 30 days. If you need mail held longer than 30 days, please contact your local Post Office.
Note: Hold Mail requests are not necessary for Post Office Box customers. The mail is allowed to accumulate up to 30 days.
Back to Top
How far in advance do I need to submit my online Hold Mail request?
Online Hold Mail requests submitted before 2:00 A.M. Central Time can begin on the same Postal business day. Postal business days are Monday through Saturday.
You may place your mail on hold up to 14 days in advance. This has been reduced from 90 days in advance to ensure accuracy, as of November 15th, 2004. Requests must be made no later than 2:00 AM Central Time the day the hold is to take affect.
Back to Top
Will I receive my accumulated mail on the "End Date" or the day after the "End Date?"
The "End Date" of your Hold Mail request is the date mail is delivered. If you chose the option to pickup your held mail, regular mail delivery will resume after you pickup your accumulated mail. A third party may pickup accumulated mail if authorization has been submitted in writing to the local Post Office. You, or the authorized third party, must present a photo I.D. if the option to pickup mail is chosen.
Back to Top
When my mail is being held, are packages held too?
Yes. When your mail is placed on hold, your Post Office will hold all packages as well.
Back to Top
Do I need to submit multiple hold requests if there is more than one person at the same address?
All mail regardless of name will be held for the address entered. Submitting an online Hold Mail request once is all you have to do to hold mail delivery for everyone at the address.
Back to Top
Can I request a Hold with an active Change of Address (COA)?
If the Hold Request is for the new / current address you may submit a normal Hold Request.
If the Hold Request is for the old / previous address AND you are now residing at that address:
The forwarding request must be canceled before you can submit a Hold Mail Request.
Please go into your local Post Office facility to cancel the existing Change of Address (COA).
After the COA has been canceled, you may submit your Hold Request.
If the Hold Request is for the old / previous address AND you do not reside at that address you may not submit a Hold Request since you do not live there.
Note: If you submit a Hold Request and later submit another COA, the COA overrides the Hold Mail request.
When sending a package, there are several easy steps that make your package more secure and easier to ship.The BoxChoose a box with enough room for cushioning material around the contents. If you are reusing a box, cover all previous labels and markings with heavy black marker or adhesive labels.CushioningPlace the cushioning all around your items. Close and shake the box to see whether you have enough cushioning. Add more newspaper, styrofoam, bubble wrap if you hear items shifting.SealingTape the opening of your box and reinforce all seams with 2” wide tape. Use clear or brown packaging tape, reinforced packing tape or paper tape. Do not use cord, string or twine because they get caught in mail processing equipment.Correct AddressUsing a complete and correct address is critical for efficient delivery. Use ZIP Code + 4 when possible. Locate a correct address for accurate mailing.Drop OffPackages may be handed to your carrier or taken to the Post Office. Packages may also be dropped into a blue collection box with the following restrictions:
Stamped packages should weigh less than one pound
Packages with postage printed using Click-N-Ship or another PC Postage provider may weigh more than one pound, but must fit in the collection box
Going away from home for awhile? Have all your mail sent to you at your temporary address! Premium Forwarding Service (PFS) is a domestic service for residential customers. With this service, USPS® forwards ALL of your mail from your permanent address to a temporary address. Enroll at your local Post Office™.
Some features of PFS include:
Most mail is forwarded once a week via Priority Mail®; some mail is reshipped separately, but immediately upon arrival at the primary address.
Your mail will be forwarded to you on a weekly basis if you are away for a minimum of two weeks up to one year.
Enrollment fee is just $10.00 and weekly reshipment fees are $11.95.
Your permanent address does not change and your temporary address is not provided to mailers.
Some benefits of PFS include:
You do not miss important mail while you are away.
All your mail reaches you, most via Priority Mail. (See Conditions of Use)
Your weekly mailing goes out the same day every week on a regular schedule
Who uses PFS?
PFS is perfect for extended stays – from two weeks up to one full year! Snowbirds, executives on temporary assignments, students, individuals with an extended family care situation or who are away on an extended vacation…all are good candidates for this service. Visit your local post office to enroll.
First-Class Mail
retail Letters AND CARDS
Weight Not Over
(ounces)
Single-Piece1
1 - $0.41
2 - 0.58
3 - 0.75
3.5 - 0.92
Card Rate3
0.26
Letter-rate pieces that meet one or more of the nonmachinable characteristics in DMM 101.1.2 are subject to the nonmachinable surcharge (see 133.1.10).
For weights over 3.5 ounces, see flat-size rates.
The card rate applies to each single or double postcard when originally mailed; reply half of double postcard must be designed for reply mail purposes only.
First-Class Mail
retail Flats
Weight Not Over
(ounces)1
Single-Piece
1 - $0.80
2 - 0.97
3 - 1.14
4 - 1.31
5 - 1.48
6 - 1.65
7 - 1.82
8 - 1.99
Flat-size pieces with certain characteristics (see 101.2.0) are subject to parcel rates.
First-Class Mail
retail Parcels
Weight Not Over
(ounces)1
Single-Piece
1 - $1.13
2 - 1.30
3 - 1.47
4 - 1.64
5 - 1.81
6 - 1.98
7 - 2.15
8 - 2.32
9 - 2.49
10 - 2.66
11 - 2.83
12 - 3.00
13 - 3.17
For keys and ID devices, add $0.70. If more than 13 ounces, see retail Priority Mail rates.
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