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Mail Center • Campus Mail • USPS- General Info. • USPS- Classes of Mail • USPS Special Services • Package Carrier Services • Other Services

U.S. POSTAL SERVICE - CLASSES OF MAIL

A.  FIRST CLASS MAIL

All mail meeting USPS guidelines may be mailed as First Class Mail. The following items must be mailed at First Class/Priority rates:

B.  PRIORITY MAIL

All First Class mail exceeding 13 ounces and not exceeding 70 pounds is considered Priority Mail. At the option of the mailer, any mail weighing 13 ounces or less may be mailed at the Priority Mail rate. There is no minimum weight limitation.

Use Priority Mail when 2 to 3 day service is desired. Please note that the 2 to 3 day delivery time is an approximation and is not guaranteed. For guaranteed service, or for extremely important items, use Express Mail, or Federal Express. 

Use Flat Rate Priority Envelopes when possible. These free envelopes allow any weight of material for the 2-pound rate.

The U.S. Postal Service provides free Priority supplies (1-800-The-USPS). Mail Services also has supplies. Just call us with your request! (ext.-2483).

C.  EXPRESS MAIL

Express Mail is an extremely reliable and fast delivery service available from the US Postal Service. It reaches all major markets in the U S and 84 foreign countries. Express Mail provides shipment of items that can weigh up to 70 lbs. This mail can be delivered seven days a week at no extra charge.

Express Mail is guaranteed to be delivered the next day by Noon or 3:00 PM. Mail Services can tell you which time applies. (Some remote locations require two days for delivery). 

Express mail offers a variety of service options to meet your mailing needs. The following are a list of these options. Contact the Mail Center for further details.

Domestic Overnight Delivery is guaranteed by the U S Postal Service (to most locations), and provides for a full postage refund if the item is not delivered on time. International deliveries vary by country of destination and are, consequently, not guaranteed. The Post Office, located on 3^rd Ave., does offer a guaranteed International Express Mail service.

Do not place critical mail for this service in the internal mail system. (Unless the mail piece is in Express Mail packaging). Please deliver Express Mail to the Mail Center by 3:00 PM for same day processing. If your mail/parcel is not in Express Mail packaging, please complete a Shipment Request form available from Mail Services.

D.  NONPROFIT MAIL  (FORMERLY BULK MAIL)

To qualify as Nonprofit Mail, each piece must be identical and weigh less than 16 ounces. Each mailing must consist of 250 or more pieces. The following cannot be mailed as Standard Mail:

Substantial savings (50% or more) versus First Class rates are possible. Please keep in mind that longer preparation and delivery times are likely.

Advance notice (2 weeks) to Mail Services is required. Please complete and send a Bulk Mail Notice (available from Mail Services) to Mail Services 2 weeks in advance. This allows us to have supplies on hand, and funds distributed to USPS accounts. By notifying us ahead, we can also help with Nonprofit planning and mail piece design (including the proper use of permit imprints).

TO PROCESS YOUR MAILING:

1. Send a completed Bulk Mail Notice to Mail Services (2 weeks in advance).

2. If possible, use a Nonprofit Permit Imprint on envelopes.  Please contact Mail Services regarding the use of an imprint.

3. Request USPS trays or tubs from Mail Services.

4. Prepare your mail in Zip Code order.

5. For letters: Place lowest numbered Zip Code in front of USPS tray #1, and in ascending order, fill to rear of tray.

6. Continue filling trays in same manner.  When finished, make sure each tray is numbered.  The letter with the highest numbered Zip Code should be in the last position in the highest numbered tray.  Also, please list the range of Zip Codes for each tray.

7. All pieces must face forward, and may be sealed, or if not sealed, place flaps down.

8. For flats (any envelope greater than 6 1/8” high or greater than 11 ½” long)-place them, standing up, in USPS tubs. All flats should be in numerical Zip Code order-lowest in front to highest in back. Please make sure each tub is numbered and the range of Zip Codes for each tub listed.

9. Flats should be sealed upon arrival at the Mail Center. If that is not possible, please contact Mail Services regarding the position of the flaps (up or down).

10. When finished, please complete and include another Bulk Mail Notice. Also, please include one sample mail piece with your mailing (for submittal to the USPS).

In order to help us efficiently process your Nonprofit Mailing, please comply with the above guidelines. We appreciate your cooperation! If you have any questions, please call us at extension 2483.

E.    PACKAGE SERVICES (PARCELS)

Please note that any outbound package submitted to the Mail Center will be shipped as 1^st Class/Priority Mail unless otherwise noted. To so note, please complete a Shipment Request form that is available from Mail Services.  Packages are limited to 70 pounds and 130 inches length and girth combined. Please see page 12 for more information.

There are five sub-classes of Package Services:

The following are brief descriptions of each sub-class:

F.  INTERNATIONAL MAIL

The principal categories of international mail are:

All mail and parcels must be separate from domestic mail and plainly identified as international mail. Please mark as Airmail or International surface mail.  The destination country must be included in the address and should be on the last line.

Most items may be mailed to other countries. However, there are certain exceptions. If you have any questions about classification n required.

Letters do not require customs forms, however, parcels do require customs forms. If customs regulations are not followed and documentation is not included, the item will be impounded by customs until the addressee makes arrangements for clearance and the payment of whatever duties required for the release of the item. Custom rules apply whether the USPS or other couriers deliver mail.

The last line of any foreign address should be the country name spelled out in capital letters, in English.

Last modified: 03/04/08                        Contact us: (610) 409-3000, ext. 2247 or lrobb@ursinus.edu Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm