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The United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service, a public corporation, offers a reliable (and by world standards, inexpensive) system of mail delivery to any address in the United States. Post Offices are widely available throughout the country with at least one for each zip code. All post offices accept domestic and international letters and parcels and offer three basic levels of service: surface, priority and express. The most up-to-date information about services and rates is found on www.usps.gov, the website for the United States Postal Service.
Usual Hours: Most post offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 p.m. with some locations open on Saturday from 8:30 am to 1:00 p.m. with full services. In addition some post offices have self service stations that are available after these hours. In many major cities, the main post office is open 24 hours a day, seven day a week.
Usual Services Provided: Most post offices provide postal mailboxes, self-service stations and distribution of tax forms and passport applications in addition to the standard domestic and international services.
Standard Services Within the United States (Domestic):
First Class Mail This is the service with which most of us are familiar, covers personal correspondence, bills and statements weighing under thirteen ounces.
Priority Mail A two-day delivery service. No special documentation is needed to use priority mail, but there are restrictions on the size of the package that may be sent. The package must weigh seventy pounds or less, and have a volume of 108 inches or less.
Express Mail A service that delivers seven days a week with a guaranteed refund if delivery occurs later than noon. A special form specifying delivery conditions, telephone numbers, payment method and value is required. The mailer receives a slip confirming deposit and delivery status can be tracked.
Parcel Post This service allows customers to ship packages and books. The rates and delivery time are determined by the destination of the package.
Bound Printed Matter Pages bound with a permanent fastening. Items shipped through this service must weigh between one and fifteen pounds.
Special Standard Mail (Book Rate) A service that allows the customer to mail books, film, sound recordings, and loose-leaf binders containing medical or computer information.
Certificate of Mailing This service gives the consumer evidence of mailing, but not of the receipt of the mailing.
Certified Mail This service provides the mailer with a mailing receipt. A record of the mailing is kept in the post office.
Collect On Delivery The mailer can collect the price of goods and/or postage ordered by the addressee.
Delivery Confirmation (Retail) The customer receives confirmation of delivery of the product when it has occurred.
Insured Mail This service provides insurance coverage against loss or damage of the letter or package.
Money Order A money order is a safe and convenient way to transfer funds.
Return Receipt for Merchandise This service provides the mailer with both mailing and return receipts.
Registered Mail Provides the maximum service for your valuables. Registered mail is only available for First Class or Priority Mail.
Restricted Delivery Permits the mailer to direct delivery only to the addressee or an authorized agent.
Return Receipt Provides evidence of the delivery and returns the recepient's new delivery address if any changes have been made.
Address Changes Provides a change of address and helpful tips on how to handle a move.
Zipcodes Allows the customer to find a zipcode by address or to associate a zipcode with a particular location.
Track and Confirm Allows the consumer to track the location and confirm Priority Mail or Parcel Post deliveries.
Mailing Online: Easy way to prepare First Class and Advertising mail with the click of a mouse.
eBillPay: Pay all your bills online, 24-7.
PosteCS: Send your documents securely over the internet.
Global Express Guaranteed: Expanded list of international delivery destinations.
Business Mail 101: A tool for mailers that will help your business or organization
First Class Mail This service covers business mailings of cards, letters, flats and parcels.
Periodicals Includes piece rates, discounts and perferred rates for non-profits and classrooms and an address correction service.
Express Mail Express mail at special prices for businesses sending larger packages.
Standard Mail Standard mail service rates by the piece and the pound, including parcel post, for profit and non-profit companies.
Services The Postal Service offers additional services for businesses. These include address sequencing, business reply mail, certificates of mailing, certified mail and collect on delivery.
Bulk Mailing A service that allows businesses to mail large quanities of material.
Postal Business Center Locater Allows the customer to find Postal Business Centers that provide personalized service and help with unique business needs.
Address Management Systems Locator Allows the customer to locate local Address Management Systems Offices.
Business Mail Entry Office Locator Allows the consumer to find local Business Mail Entry Offices.
Direct Mail Everything a business needs to set up a direct mail campaign.
PostageNow(Tm) This service allows the customer to use electronic payment options to purchase postage when it's needed.
International Postal Rates and Fees
Canada and Mexico Information on special rates for mailing letters and packages to Canada and Mexico.
All Other Countries Information on special rates for mailing letters and packages to all countries other than Canada and Mexico.
Express Mail International Service A high-priority mail service to almost 200 countries and territories.
Postcard and Stamped Card Rates
International Mail Manual Answers to all your questions about the vageries of the international mailing process. One warning, this is written in post office lingo and may at times be a little bit difficult to decipher. Adobe Acrobat is needed to view this site. It can be downloaded onsite.
International Country Listings Listings of all the countries to which mail can be sent. Adobe Acrobat is needed to view this information. It can be downloaded onsite.
International Rates Rates for all International services, including special services. Adobe Acrobat is necessary to read these listings. It can be downloaded onsite.
Calculate Your Domestic and International Rates:
Domestic Rate Calculator This is an on-line service that determines the postage due based upon the customer's answer to simple questions.
International Rate Calculator An on-line service that calculates the postage due on items sent out of the country based upon answers to simple questions.
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