Guide to United States Postal Services
First-Class Mail
Use First-Class mail for sending letters, postcards, postal cards, greeting cards, personal notes, checks, and money orders. First-Class mail is generally delivered overnight to locally designated cities and within 2 days to locally designated States. Delivery by the fourth day can be expected for remaining outlying areas.
Third Class Bulk Mail
Bulk mail is the least expensive method of sending mail. Since the regulations have changed for Bulk Mailings, please see a staff member in Campus Mail Services for instructions.
Business Reply Mail
Business reply is used when a department wants to ensure the maximum reply to a particular mailing, by supplying the recipient with a preaddressed, prepaid envelope or post card. The department pays only for the replies that are returned. Campus Mail Services will charge your department at the end of each month for business reply mail.
The U.S. Postal Service has established a special format for business reply mail. Please contact the Campus Mail Services for these requirements before having your return envelopes or post cards printed.
International Mail
International Mail is any mail that is being sent outside of the United States, (i.e. Canada, Mexico and overseas). However, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii, and Alaska are not considered international. Because the rates for international mail are different than those of domestic mail, international mail should be separated to avoid incorrect stamping. This could result in mail delays.
Departments are responsible for clearly marking the piece "air mail" and keeping it separate from domestic mail. If you have a parcel post to send via international mail (air or surface), please contact Campus Mail Services about filling out a Customs Declaration Form and a Customs Declaration Slip, both of which are needed for international mailing. They are available at Campus Mail Services.
Certified Mail
Certified mail provides proof of delivery of mail. The sender receives a mailing receipt at the time of mailing, and a record is kept at the recipient‚s post office. Certified mail is only available for First-Class Mail or Priority Mail. Certified mail is not available for international mail and it does not offer insurance protection. Campus Mail Services has the necessary paperwork needed to send certified mail. Please do not leave outgoing certified mail in the mail slots at Campus Mail Services; hand it directly to a Campus Mail Services staff member. Certified mail may be picked up at the Campus Mail Services window and requires a signature.
Return Receipt Requested
This is the sender‚s proof of delivery. A return receipt can be purchased for mail sent CODS, Express mail, mail insured for more than $50, registered mail, or certified mail. The return receipt shows who signed for the item and the date it was delivered.
Express Mail
Express mail is the fastest service. It offers guaranteed delivery service 365 days a year. Important letters, documents, and merchandising may be sent Express Mail. Depending on your destination, your mail will be delivered to the addressee by noon or by 3 p.m. the next day. Envelopes for express mail can be obtained in Campus Mail Services. After you complete the address form, Campus Mail Services staff will stamp the postage on the envelope and return your part of the receipt the next day. You will receive e-mail when you receive Express Mail. Your mail may be picked up at the Campus Mail Services window. A signature is required on the Arrival mail system palm pilot.
Priority Mail
When the speed of Express Mail is not needed, but preferential handling is desired, use Priority Mail. Priority Mail offers faster delivery at the least expensive rate. You also have the option of sending mail weighing less than 11 ounces as Priority Mail. Envelopes, stickers, and labels for Priority Mail can be obtained in Campus Mail Services.
Insurance
This service provides indemnity for items lost or damaged in the postal service. Insurance fees are based on the declared value of your package.
Postal Information on the Internet
A wealth of information is available at your fingertips when you visit the United States Postal Service Web Site on the Internet at www.usps.com. You can look up zip codes or get answers to frequently asked questions. The web site is continually changing. Visit often for your postal information needs.
Packages weighing more than 1 pound must be hand delivered to the counter of the Norton Post Office and sent from there. Identification is required.
Helpful Hints for Addressing Mail
The Post Office offers some helpful guidelines to follow when addressing mail. By following them, you will help them get your mail to the addressee quickly.
Format
- Capitalize everything, using plain block letters. No matter how legible your handwriting is, machines have trouble-reading script.
- Omit all punctuation in the address, except hyphenate the ZIP +4 Code.
- Use the common abbreviations available in post office lobbies.
- Use the two-letter state abbreviations.
- Use the complete and correct ZIP codes or ZIP +4 codes. Zip code information can be obtained by contacting the local post office.
- Make sure that endorsements for special services are place above the delivery address or below the return address (I.e. Air mail etc.)
Destination Address
Be sure to include:
- Recipient‚s name (and/or company name, if applicable).
- Recipient‚s street address, post office box number, rural route number and box number, or highway contract route number and box number. In addition, include the following in the address line:
- Suffix: AVE (Avenue), ST (Street), DR (Drive) RD (Road), etc.
- Directional: E (East), NW (Northwest), etc.
- Locator: RM (Room), STE (Suite), APT (Apartment) number, etc.
Return Address
Include all the elements of the destination address. The return address should appear in the upper left corner of the mail piece.
Dual Addressing
When a post office box number and a street address are used, make sure that the place you want the mail delivered to appears on the line immediately above the city, state, and ZIP code line, and that the ZIP Code or ZIP+4 Code corresponds to that address. For example:
GRAND PRODUCTS INC
475 LENFANT LLZ SW RM 123
PO BOX 320 mail will be delivered here
WASHINGTON DC 20260-6320
ZIP Code
The ZIP Code is extremely important in the processing and delivery of mail. You must use the ZIP Code in your return address and the mailing address.
ZIP+4 Code
In 1983, the Postal Service began use of an expanded ZIP Code called ZIP+4. It is composed of the original five-digit code plus a four-digit add-on. Use of the four-digit add-on number is voluntary. However, this add-on number helps the Postal Service direct mail efficiently and accurately. Even if you prefer not to use your four-digit add-on number, using the correct five-digit ZIP Code helps prevent delays.
The four-digit add-on number identifies a geographic segment within the five-digit delivery area such as a city block, an office building, and individual high-volume receiver of mail, or any other unit that would aid efficient mail sorting and delivery. Using the ZIP+4 Code reduces the number of handlings and significantly decreases the potential for human error and possibility of nondelivery.