Consumer's Guide to Postal Rates and Fees

Publication 123, January 10, 1999
United States Postal Service


Express Mail


Express Mail is our fastest service, with next-day delivery by 12 noon to most destinations. Express Mail is delivered 365 days a year-with no extra charge for Saturday, Sunday, or holiday delivery. All packages must use an Express Mail label. Items must weigh 70 pounds or less and measure 108 inches or less in combined length and girth.

Features

Express Mail envelopes, labels, and boxes are available at no additional charge. Features include merchandise and document reconstruction, tracking and tracing, delivery to post office boxes and rural addresses, domestic rates for APO and FPO addresses, money-back guarantee, COD, return receipt service, and waiver of signature. Insurance is provided at no additional cost up to $500. Additional merchandise insurance is available up to $5,000. Pickup service is available for $8.25 per stop, regardless of the number of pieces.

Customer Service 1-800-222-1811

Order Express Mail supplies and labels. arrange pickup service, obtain delivery information between ZIP Codes, and determine delivery status.

Post Office to Addressee Service

Up to 8 ounces $11.75
Over 8 ounces up to 2 pounds $15.75
Up to 3 pounds $18.50
Up to 4 pounds $21.25
Up to 5 pounds $24.00
Up to 6 pounds $26.75
Up to 7 pounds $29.40
Over 7 pounds see postmaster

Flat-Rate Envelope

$15.75, regardless of weight or destination, for matter sent in a flat-rate envelope provided by the Postal Service.


Priority Mail


Priority Mail offers 2-day service to most domestic destinations. Items must weigh 70 pounds or less and measure 108 inches or less in combined length and girth.

Features

Priority Mail envelopes, labels, and boxes are available at no additional charge at post offices or by calling 1-800-222-1811. Pickup service is available for $8.25 per stop, regardless of the number of pieces.

Weight

Up to 2 pounds$3.20
Up to 3 pounds$4.30
Up to 4 pounds$5.40
Up to 5 pounds$6.50
Over 5 poundssee postmaster

Flat-Rate Envelope

$3.20, regardless of weight or destination, for matter sent in a flat rate envelope provided by the Postal Service.


First-Class Mail


Single-Piece Rates

First ounce $0.33
Each additional ounce $0.22
Weight not over (oz.)  
1* $0.33
2 $0.55
3 $0.77
4 $0.99
5 $1.21
6 $1.43
7 $1.65
8 $1.87
9 $2.09
10 $2.31
11 $2.53
12 $2.75
13 $2.97
Over 13 ouncessee Priority Mail

*Nonstandard Size: An additional $0.11 is required if 1 ounce or less and (a) over any of these dimensions: 11-1/2" long, 6-1/8" high, 1/4" thick; or (b) the length divided by the height is less than 1.3 or more than 2.5.

Postcard and Stamped Card Rates

Postcard $0.20
Stamped card
(sold by USPS)
$0.21

Postcard Rate Dimensions:


Periodicals


Only authorized publishers and registered news agents may mail publications at Periodicals rates. The public may mail publications at the applicable Express Mail, Priority Mail, First-Class Mail, or Standard Mail rate.


Standard Mail (A)


Used primarily by retailers, catalogers, and other advertisers -- for mailing items weighing less than 16 ounces -- to promote products and services. Contact your post office for details.


Standard Mail (B)


Used for mailing certain items -- books, circulars, catalogs, other printed matter, and parcels -- weighing 16 ounces or more. Packages must weigh 70 pounds or less and measure 108 inches or less in combined length and girth. Pieces exceeding 108 inches but not more than 130 inches in combined length and girth are mailable at Parcel Post oversized rates. Composed of four subclasses: Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, Special Standard Mail, and Library Mail. Contact your post office for rates.


Special Services


Certificate of Mailing

Provides evidence of mailing. Must be purchased at time of mailing. No record kept at the post office.

Fee in addition to postage -- $0.60

Certified Mail

Provides a mailing receipt. A record is kept at the recipient's post office. A return receipt can also be purchased for an additional fee. Available only with First-Class Mail and Priority Mail.

Fee in addition to postage -- $1.40

Collect on Delivery (COD)

Allows mailers to collect the price of goods and/or postage on merchandise ordered by addressee when it is delivered.

COD service can be used for merchandise sent by First-Class Mail, registered mail, Express Mail, Priority Mail, and Standard Mail (B). This service is not available for international mail or for mail addressed to APO and FPO addresses.

Fees include insurance. Maximum amount is $600; see postmaster for details.
Amount to be collected or insurance desired COD fee
$0.01 to $50.00 $4.00
$50.01 to $100.00 $5.00
$100.01 to $200.00 $6.00
$200.01 to $300.00 $7.00
$300.01 to $400.00 $8.00
$400.01 to $500.00 $9.00
$500.01 to $600.00 $10.00
Restricted delivery $2.75
Notice of nondelivery $3.00
Alteration of COD charges or designation of new addressee $3.00
Registered COD $4.00

Insured Mail

Provides coverage against loss or damage. Coverage up to $5,000 for Standard Mail (B) as well as Standard Mail matter mailed at Priority Mail or First-Class Mail rates. Items must not be insured for more than their value. For items insured for more than $50, restricted delivery and return receipt service are also available.

The amount of insurance coverage for loss will be the actual value, less depreciation. No claim payments are made for sentimental losses or for any expenses incurred as a result of the loss.
Insurance Coverage Desired Fee in addition to postage
$0.01 to $50.00 $0.85
$50.01 to $100.00 $1.80
$100.01 to $200.00 $2.75
$200.01 to $300.00 $3.70
$300.01 to $400.00 $4.65
$400.01 to $500,00 $5.60
$500.01 to $600.00 $6.55
$600.01 to $700.00 $7.50
$700.01 to $800.00 $8.45
$800.01 to $900.00 $9.40
$900.01 to $1,000.00 $10.35
$100.01 to $5,000.00 $10.35 plus $0.95 for each $100 or fraction thereof over $1,000 in desired coverage

Money Order

Provides safe transmission of money. Available in amounts up to $700. Fee per money order -- $0.80

Return Receipt for Merchandise

Provides the sender with a mailing receipt and a return receipt. A delivery record is kept at the post office of address, hut no record is kept at the office of mailing.

Fee in addition to postage:

Registered Mail

Provides maximum protection and security or valuables. Available only for items paid at Priority Mail and First-Class Mail rates. May be combined with COD, restricted delivery, or return receipt. Postal insurance is provided for articles with a declared value up to a maximum of $25,000. Only items with no declared value may use registry service without insurance.
Declared value without postal insurance Fee in addition to postage
$0.00 $6.00

Declared value with postal insurance Fee in addition to postage
$0.01 to $100.00 $6.20
$100.01 to $500.00 $6.75
$500.01 to $1,000.00 $7.30
$1,000.01 to $2,000.00 $7.85
$2,000.01 to $3,000.00 $8.40
$3,000.01 to $4,000.00 $8.95
$4,000.01 to $5,000.00 $9.50
$5,000.01 to $6,000.00 $10.05
$6,000.01 to $7,000.00 $10.60
$7,000.01 to $8,000.00 $11.15
$8,000.01 to $9,000.00 $11.70
$9,000.01 to $10,000.00 $12.25
$10,000.01 to $11,000.00 $12.80
$11,000.01 to $12,000.00 $13.35
$12,000.01 to $13,000.00 $13.90
$13,000.01 to $14,000.00 $14.45
Higher valuessee postmaster

Higher values (see postmaster)

Restricted Delivery

Permits a mailer to direct delivery only to the addressee or addressee's authorized agent. The addressee must be an individual (or natural person) specified by name. Available only for certified mail, COD, mail insured for more than $50, or registered mail.

Fee in addition to postage -- $2.75

Return Receipt

Provides a mailer with evidence of delivery. Also supplies the recipient's actual delivery address if it is different from the address used by the sender. A return receipt may be requested before or after delivery. Available only for Express Mail, certified mail, COD, mail insured for more than $50, or registered mail.

Fee in addition to postage:

Requested at time of mailing
Showing to whom delivered, signature, date, and addressee's address (if different) -- $1 .25
Requested after mailing
Showing to whom delivered, signature, date, and addressee's address -- $7.00

Sizes for Domestic Mail


Mail must meet these standards:

Keys and identification devices are exempted from these requirements.

Additional standards apply to bulk mail and mail addressed to APOs and FPOs.


International Rates


All international letters, letter packages, postcards, and postal cards receive First-Class Mail service in the United States, dispatch by the most expeditious transportation available, and airmail or priority handling service in the destination country. Mailers should endorse such items "Air Mail" or "Par Avion."

Letters/Letter Packages

Canada and Mexico
Weight not over (oz.) canada Mexico
0.5 $0.46 $0.40
1.0 $0.52 $0.46
1.5 $0.64 $0.66
2.0 $0.72 $0.86
3.0 $0.95 $1.26
4.0 $1.14 $1.66
5.0 $1.33 $2.06
6.0 $1.52 $2.46
7.0 $1.71 $2.86
8.0 $1.90 $3.26
9.0 $2.09 $3.66
10.0 $2.28 $4.06
11.0 $2.47 $4.46
12.0 $2.66 $4.86

See postmaster for additional weights up to 4 pounds.

Letters/Letter Packages

All countries except Canada and Mexico
Weight not over (oz.) 
0.5 $0.60
1.0 $1.00
1.5 $1.40
2.0 $1.80
2.5 $2.20
3.0 $2.60
3.5 $3.00
4.0 $3.40
4.5 $3.80
5.0 $4.20
5.5 $4.60
6.0 $5.00
6.5 $5.40
7.0 $5.80
7.5 $6.20
6.0 $6.60
8.5 $7.00
9.0 $7.40
9.5 $7.80
10.0 $8.20
10.5 $8.60
11.0 $9.00
11.5 $9.40
12.0 $9.80

See postmaster for additional weights up to 4 pounds.

Express Mail International Service

This high-priority mail service is available to nearly 200 countries and territories, offering economy, speed, reliability and convenience. Rates vary by weight and destination country, starting at $15.

Call 1-800-222-1811 for more details.

Postcard and Stamped Card Rates

Canada $0.40
Mexico $0.35
All other countries $0.50

Aerogrammes

All countries -- $0.50


Additional Information


Notice 123, Ratefold (all domestic rates and fees)

Pub. 51, International Postal Rates and Fees

Pub. 201, Consumer's Guide to Postal Services & Products

Pub. 300, A Consumer's Guide to Crime Prevention

The USPS Web site at www.usps.com provides a wealth of postal information, including: