United States Postal Service
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
United States Postal Service (USPS) is the United States government organization responsible for providing postal service in the United States. It is the result of the mandate for post offices by the United States Constitution. Originally a cabinet department, it was later converted to a government-owned corporation. Competition from private operations such as United Parcel Service and FedEx has caused USPS to adjust its business strategy and to modernize its products and services.
Being the only mail carrier that delivers to all addresses in the United States, United States Postal Service is also a symbol of the United States in many rural areas. First-Class Mail, starting at 37 cents, is still the least expensive and most universal method to send a letter in the US.
Major products and services
First Class Mail
The normal mail service used by individuals and business sending a small amount of mail. One rate regardless of distance.
- Letters: The cost to send a letter weighing up to 1 ounce is 37 cents.
- Packages weighing up to 13 ounces can be sent.
- Best effort delivery including return service for undeliverable mail.
- Forwarding service: With a change of address, mail coming to the old address will be sent to the new address for up to 12 months.
- Available to anyone.
- Reccomendations (but no enforced rules) about mailpiece quality and addressing.
- Mail is picked up at customer's house or place of business
- Delivery to every address in the United States
Standard Mail
Used mainly for businesses.
- Minimum 200 pieces per mailing
- Must weigh less than 16 ounces
- No return service unless requested (an additional fee is charged for return service)
- Not for personal correspondence, letters, bills, or statements
- Annual fee
Bulk Mail
Used for businesses to send large quantities of mail.
- Can be First Class or Standard Mail
- Discounted rates
- Permit required
- Enforced rules about mailpiece quality and addressing.
- May require additional work by the sender, such as pre-sorting by zip code.
- Mail must usually be brought to a postal facility.
Parcel Post
Used to send packages weighing up to 70 pounds
- Rates based on distance, weight, and shape
- Delivery to every address in the United States
Media Mail
Used to send books, printed materials, sound recordings, videotapes, CD-ROMs, diskettes, and similar, but cannot contain advertising. Maximum weight is 70 pounds.
- Rates based on weight
- Much cheaper than Parcel Post, but sometimes slower
Priority Mail
Priority Mail is an expedited mail service with a few additional features.
- Average delivery time is 2-3 days
- Flat rate envelope available (one rate for whatever you put in the envelope)
- Packages up to 70 pounds.
- Label can be printed online
- Delivery to every address in the United States
Express Mail
Express Mail is the fastest mail service.
- Typically overnight or second-day delivery
- Flat rate envelope available
- Packages up to 50 pounds
- Delivery to most addresses in the United States
- Guaranteed on-time delivery
- Sunday and holiday delivery
Money Orders
- Provide safe alternative to sending cash through the mail
- Money orders are cashable only by the recipient, like a bank check
Global Priority and Global Express Mail
Expedited and express service to several countries.
Airline Division
The United States Postal Service also operates an airline division, which it uses to carry mail as well as packages across the United States daily. The USPS airline division's fleet consists of Boeing 727 jets, many of which are leased from other cargo airlines.
Add-on Services
Delivery Confirmation
- Confirms delivery of package
- Detailed package [tracking] is not included, but information is sometimes available
- Results available online or telephone
- Only available with First Class Mail, Priority Mail, and Package Services (Media Mail, Parcel Post, and Bound Printed Matter)
Signature Confirmation
- Confirms delivery with signature
- Recipient's signature is kept on file
- Only available with First Class Mail, Priority Mail, and Package Services (Media Mail, Parcel Post, and Bound Printed Matter)
Insurance
- Provides package with [insurance] from loss or damage while in transit
- Available for amounts up to $5,000
- Covers material losses only minus depreciation
Certified Mail
- Provides proof of mailing, and a delivery record
- Available for First Class Mail and Priority Mail
Registered Mail
- Provides mailing receipt, delivery record, and protection for valuables
- Available for Priority Mail and First Class Mail
Collect On Delivery (C.O.D.)
- Allows merchants to offer customers a chance to pay upon delivery
- Insurance comes included with fee
- Amount to be collected cannot exceed $1,000
- Available for First-Class Mail, Express Mail, Priority Mail, and Package Services (Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, and Media Mail)
Postage Stamps
Copyright and Reproduction
All US postage stamps and other postage items that were released before 1978 are in the public domain. After this time they are copyright by the postal service under title 17 of the United States Code. The Domestic Mail Manual (D013) allows the use of stamps and other philatelic items in editorial content, in audio-visual productions, for advertising purposes and for philatelic catalogs.
PC Postage
In addation to using standard stanps, postage can now be printed from a Personal computer using a system called Information Based Indicia. Authorized providers of PC Postage are:
Sponsorships
For a number of years, the US Postal Service has been head sponsor of a professional cycling team, bearing its name. The team features Lance Armstrong, winner of the Tour de France from 1999 to 2003.
Postal Inspection Service
The United States Postal Inspection Service is the oldest federal law enforcement agency in the USA. It originated in 1772 when colonial Postmaster General, Benjamin Franklin appointed a surveyor or special agent to regulate and audit the mails – 4 years before the Declaration of Independence.
As Franklin was Postmaster under the Continental Congress and was Washington’s first Postmaster, his system continued.
By 1830 the special agents had grown to become the Office of Instructions and Mail Depredations.
USPIS investigate mail related crimes. This is not just theft of sending illegal material, but includes attacks on letter carriers. Since 9/11 the USPIS has also investigated several cases of ricin, Anthrax and other toxic substances being sent through the mail.
In addition to plain-clothes inspectors there is the uniformed Postal Police Officers guarding postal facilities, escorting high-value mail shipments, and performing protective functions.
The Postal Inspection Service operates four forensic crime laboratories, including forensic scientists and technical specialists so that the service can be an entirely independent agency enforcing more than 200 federal postal laws
External links