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Frequently Asked Questions About the USPSAddressing Mail ProperlyWhat are the proper STATE abbreviations? AL.....Alabama AK.....Alaska AS.....American Samoa AZ.....Arizona AR.....Arkansas CA.....California CO.....Colorado CT.....Connecticut DE.....Delaware DC.....District of Columbia ---------------------------------------------------------- FL.....Florida GA.....Georgia GU.....Guam HI.....Hawaii ID.....Idaho IL.....Illinois IN.....Indiana IA.....Iowa KS.....Kansas KY.....Kentucky ---------------------------------------------------------- LA.....Louisiana ME.....Maine MD.....Maryland MA.....Massachusetts MI.....Michigan MN.....Minnesota MS.....Mississippi MO.....Missouri MT.....Montana NE.....Nebraska ---------------------------------------------------------- NV.....Nevada NH.....New Hampshire NJ.....New Jersey NM.....New Mexico NY.....New York NC.....North Carolina ND.....North Dakota MP.....No. Mariana Islands OH.....Ohio OK.....Oklahoma ---------------------------------------------------------- OR.....Oregon PA.....Pennsylvania PR.....Puerto Rico RI.....Rhode Island SC.....South Carolina SD.....South Dakota TN.....Tennessee TX.....Texas TT.....Trust Territory UT.....Utah ---------------------------------------------------------- VT.....Vermont VI.....Virgin Islands US VA.....Virginia WA.....Washington WV.....West Virginia WI.....Wisconsin WY.....Wyoming What are the proper STREET abbreviations Apartment.......APT Avenue..........AVE Boulevard.......BLVD Center..........CTR Circle..........CIR Court...........CT Drive...........DR East............E Expressway......EXPY Heights.........HTS ------------------------------------------- Highway.........HWY Island..........IS Junction........JCT Lake............LK Lane............LN Mountain........MTN North...........N Parkway.........PKY Place...........PL Plaza...........LZ ------------------------------------------- Road............RD Room............RM South...........S Station.........STA Street..........ST Suite...........STE Turnpike........TPKE Valley..........VLY West.............W What should be included in the return address?
What should be included in the destination address?
For international mail, include the city or town, provincial or state name. The applicable foreign postal code, if known, should go on the same line as, and in front of, the city or town name. The country name, in capital letters, should be on the last line of the address for international mail only. Why should you use a ZIP+4 Code The ZIP Code is extremely important in the processing and delivery of mail. While use of the ZIP Code is voluntary, the USPS urges you to include it in your return address and the mailing address. 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, use of 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, an 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 the possibility of misdelivery. It also will lead to better control over postal costs and, in turn, postage rate stability. ZIP+4 is intended for use primarily by business mailers who prepare their mail with typewritten, machine-printed, or computerized addressing formats that can be read by the Postal Service's automated scanners during processing. Mailers who qualify receive a rate discount on First Class nonpresorted ZIP+4 mailings of at least 250 pieces and on presorted ZIP+4 mailings of at least 500 pieces. There are also ZIP+4 discounts for bulk business mail. What things should you NEVER do?
What things should you ALWAYS do?
Back to contents for USPS Questions... Postal FactsHow much mail does the USPS handle? According to the USPS, they handle...
How big is the USPS? According to the USPS...
How efficient is the USPS? According to the USPS...
How do US Postal rates compare with those abroad? According to the USPS (as of 12/1/94)...
Back to contents for USPS Questions... Types of DeliveryFirst Class All First Class mail receives prompt handling and transportation. First Class mail is generally delivered overnight to locally designated cities and within 2 days to locally designated states. Delivery by the third day can be expected for remaining outlying areas. Use First Class mail for letters, postcards, postal cards, greeting cards, personal notes, and for sending checks and money orders. Use Priority mail for First Class items weighing more than 11 ounces. Second Class Only publishers and registered news agents approved for Second Class mailing privileges may mail at the Second Class rates of postage. Other rates such as First Class, single-piece Third- or Fourth class must be paid for magazines and newspapers mailed by the general public. Call or visit your post office for additional information. Third Class (Bulk) Third-class mail is used primarily by retailers, catalogers, and other advertisers to promote their products and services. Advertising by mail allows advertisers to reach existing customers or to target new customers by sending messages to specific neighborhoods or to certain demographic groups that are likely to be interested in their products. It also allows the advertisers to convey a significant amount of information about their products and to measure the results of their advertisements. Churches and other charitable organizations may take advantage of the attractive nonprofit rates for their large mailings. The minimum volume needed to take advantage of either the regular third-class rates or the nonprofit rates is 200 pieces per mailing. The pieces must weigh less than 16 ounces and be prepared in a manner that allows for efficient handling. Third class also includes single-piece rates that anyone may use to send individual parcels weighing less than 1 pound. If faster service is needed, use First Class Mail, Priority Mail, or Express Mail. Regular rate applies to circulars, books, catalogs, and other printed matter; merchandise, seeds, cuttings, bulbs, roots, scions, and plants, weighing less than 16 oz. Fourth Class Use this service for packages weighing 1 pound or more. If you enclose or attach First Class Mail, First Class postage must usually be paid for the enclosure or attachment. (Ask your postmaster about incidental First Class attachments or enclosures that do not require separate payment of First Class postage.) You can purchase insurance to cover the value of articles mailed at the fourth-class rate. Packages mailed within the continental United States may weigh up to 70 pounds and measure up to 108 inches in length and girth combined. Your post office also has information about lower local mailing rates and special mailing rates for books, catalogs, and international mailings. The USPS delivery goal for parcel post is 2-9 days, depending on distance. For faster delivery of parcels, use Priority Mail or Express Mail. If First Class Mail is enclosed or attached, First Class postage must be paid for the enclosure or attachment. (Call your local post office about incidental First Class attachments or enclosures that do not require separate payment of First Class postage.) You can purchase insurance to cover the value of articles mailed at the fourth-class rate. Maximum weight: 70 pounds. Maximum measurements: 108 inches in length and girth combined. Delivery goal for parcel post is seven days or less to most areas, depending on distance. For faster delivery of parcels, use Priority Mail (not guaranteed) or Express Mail service (whenever there is a deadline involved). Express Express Mail is the fastest USPS service. It offers guaranteed delivery service 365 days a year. The USPS also offers Express Mail International Service to over 200 territories and countries, and are the only company to offer APO/ FPO Express Mail shipments at domestic prices. To use Express Mail Next Day Service, take your shipment to any designated Express Mail post office, generally by 5 p.m.; deposit it in an Express Mail collection box; call for on demand pickup; or hand it to your letter carrier. Your local post office can give you specific Express Mail acceptance times for your area. Your mailing will be delivered to the addressee by noon the next day, if you are mailing between major markets, or no later than 3 p.m. the next day. Express Mail can also be picked up at the destination post office as early as 10 a.m. the next day. Destinations that can be reached by noon or 3 p.m. the next day from your city may be determined by using the Express Mail Next Day Service Network Directory. If you do not have a copy, ask your post office to check the destination for you, or call 1 -800-222-1811 for specific Express Mail network information. Express Mail is convenient to use. There are more than 40,000 post offices and 26,000 Express Mail boxes in which you can deposit your shipments. Also, your letter carrier or rural route carrier can accept prepaid Express Mail when your mail is delivered. On-demand pickup service is available. Call 1-800-222-1811 to arrange a pickup. The USPS will even supply you with mailing containers (envelopes, boxes, and tubes) and the necessary mailing labels at no additional charge. Express Mail service comes with a money-back postage guarantee if the Postal Service does not meet its service commitment. To receive your refund, apply at any post office by presenting the original customer receipt. Also, by calling 1-800-222-1811 at any time, you can find out the delivery status of your shipment. Merchandise is automatically insured up to $500 against loss or damage. Contact your local post office or your local Postal Service Consumer Affairs and Claims Office for more information. Priority Priority Mail is First Class Mail weighing more than 11 ounces. 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 in the industry. You also have the option of sending mail weighing less than 11 ounces as Priority Mail. The maximum weight for Priority Mail is 70 pounds, and the maximum size is 108 inches in length and girth combined. Priority Mail should be well identified. Your local post office will supply Priority Mail stickers, labels, envelopes, and boxes at no extra charge. A presort discount is available for large mailings. Priority Mail drop shipment service is also available. Priority Mail can be insured, registered, certified, or sent COD for an additional charge. Contact your local post office for additional information. Priority labels, envelopes, and stickers are available at the post office. Order supplies by calling 1-800-222-1811. What is meant by 'Non-standard Surcharge'? Nonstandard First Class Mail and Third Class Mail weighing 1 ounce or less is nonstandard if it exceeds any of the following size limits:
Back to contents for USPS Questions... Reaching the USPSHeadquarters US Postal Service Or the Postal Service Web site http://www.usps.gov Complaints & Suggestions When you have a problem with your mail service or would like to make a suggestion, you can complete a Consumer Service Card, available from letter carriers and at post offices. This helps your postmaster respond to your problem. You can also advise the postmaster of a problem by calling your local post office. You can also contact the Postal Service Consumer Affairs and Claims office in your area to help solve problems or obtain information your local postmaster may be unable to help you with. The telephone number for your local Consumer Affairs and Claims Office is listed in the phone book with other Postal Service telephone numbers. The Consumer Advocate represents consumers to the top management level in the Postal Service. If your problem cannot be solved by your local post office or Consumer Affairs and Claims Office, write the Consumer Advocate at: Consumer Advocate Inquiries - Domestic Mail You may inquire about domestic mail at any post office. Form 1000, Domestic Claim or Registered Mail Inquiry, is used to report lost or damaged mail that was insured, registered, or sent by Express Mail. Form 1510, Mail Loss/ Rifling Report ,is used for ordinary and certified mail. Your local post office can help you decide when it is appropriate to file a report and assist you in completing these forms. Inquiries - Internationl Mail You may inquire about international mail at any post office. The US sender may inquire about any class of mail; in addition the US addressee may inquire about ordinary, insured, or registered articles. If the inquiry results in the filing of an indemnity claim, only the US sender may submit a claim. When inquiring about any type of international mail, except Express Mail International Service, you must complete Form 542, Inquiry About a Registered Article or an Insured Parcel or an Ordinary Parcel For Express Mail, contact the local Express Mail manager for assistance in completing Form 2861, Express Mail International Service Inquiry. Each inquiry requires a small fee that is reimbursed if a claim is paid. If the article was sent by Express Mail or a paid-for return receipt was not received, the fee is waived. Mail Fraud You can save time and money by ordering merchandise and conducting business through the mail. However, if you are not aware of a company's reputation, check with the Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, or state or local consumer protection office before placing an order. If you later experience difficulty with the company or suspect that you have been the victim of fraud, contact your local postmaster, Consumer Affairs and Claims Office, or postal inspector, or write to one of the following: Chief Postal Inspector Information pamphlets on mail fraud are available at your local post office. The Postal Inspection Service is the law enforcement and investigative arm of the Postal Service. You can report postal crimes such as mail theft. drugs in the mail, or mail fraud to the local postmaster or nearest office of the postal inspector. You can also use the Postal Crime Hotline 1-800-654-8896 to report these or other postal crimes directly to the inspection Service. |
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