Mail Services Web Site, U.S. Postal Services Mail: Various Classes of Mail & Special USPS Services

FIRST CLASS MAIL

PERIODICALS
(Formally Second Class)

PRIORITY MAIL

STANDARD MAIL (A)
(Formally Third Class)

STANDARD MAIL (B) / PARCEL POST
(Formally Fourth Class)

ACCOUNTABLE MAIL

INTERNATIONAL MAIL

FIRST CLASS MAIL

Letters, postcards, matter wholely or partially handwritten or typewritten, matter sealed or closed against postal inspection. Bills or statements of account are considered First Class mail.

PERIODICALS
(FORMALLY SECOND CLASS)

Only newspapers and other periodical publications that meet United States Postal Service mailability conditions may be mailed at periodical rates. To qualify, a publication must be issued at regular intervals. Other conditions apply. Contact the Mail Services Supervisor, 515-9858, for details.

PRIORITY MAIL

Use Priority Mail when 2 to 3 day service is desired.

All First Class mail exceeding 11 ounces and not exceeding 70 pounds is considered priority mail and, at the option of the mailer, any mail weighing 11 ounces or less. There is no minimum weight limitation. A flat rate up to two pounds.

STANDARD MAIL (A)
(FORMALLY THIRD-CLASS)

The following is considered Standard Mail(A):

Circulars

Catalogs

Booklets

Newsletters

Merchandise

Product Samples

Photographs

Printed Matter

Each piece of Standard (A) Mail must be less than 16 ounces. Anything heavier must be mailed as Standard (B), or Priority Mail. Reduced rates are available for Standard (A) and Standard(B) Mail.

The standards for size and surcharge for single piece Standard (A) mail weighing one ounce or less are the same as for First Class.

(a) Bulk Rate Mail

Is printed matter, identical in character and not of a personal nature. Examples are newletters, solicitations and notices.

(1) Nonprofit Bulk Rate - the least expensive and most restricted class of bulk mail. When designing non- profit mail, the upper right corner of the mailing piece (where stamps are normally affixed) must have the nonprofit indicia:

(2) Metered Nonprofit Mail - Each piece of mail without the nonprofit indicia has to be metered for nonprofit stamp and postage. The procedure is costly and time consuming. Mailings of this type should be limited to non-recurring correspondence of less than 500 pieces.

(3) Preparation for Nonprofit Mail - requires sorting, bundling and packing according to U.S. Postal Service requirements. This service is provided by an independent contractor through University Mail Services at an additional cost to the sender. To insure that preparation requirements are met, rate mail is forwarded to this contractor for preparation and the costs are charged back to the sending department. Address labeling and related services are also available through the same contractor at additional cost.

(4) Restrictions on Nonprofit Rate Mail:

Minimum of 200 pieces in each mailing. Must be same size and same weight. Domestic mail only -- no international. Canada or Mexico. All addresses must contain five (5) digit zip code.

(5) All non-profit mail must have a return address identifying the sender as being related to North Carolina State University.

(b) Regular Bulk Rate

Is for all mailings that do not qualify for non-profit bulk mailing rates or any mailing that has a commercial value.

(c) In all cases, mailings using Permit Number #2353 must be pre-approved by University Mail Services.

STANDARD MAIL(B) / PARCEL POST
(FORMALLY FOURTH - CLASS)

(a) The following is considered Standard Mail(B):

Package or Parcels

Sound Recordings

Book

Merchandise

Films

Bound Printed Matter

Computer Media

Video Tapes

(b) Library Rate - is a special Standard(B) rate for books, films, educational or cultural materials mailed between educational institutions, museums, libraries, herbaria and other such institutions. Each piece of Library Mail must be marked "Library Rate" or "Library Mail".

Each piece of Standard(B) mail must not exceed 70 pounds in weight and a maximum size of 108 inches in length and girth combined. See Exhibit How to Compute the Size of a Parcel.

ACCOUNTABLE MAIL

Accountable Mail includes all Certified, Registered, Insured and Overnight Express mail. Critical mail for these categories should be bundled separately or placed on top of the bundle of outgoing mail to insure immediate processing.

(a) Certified Mail - provides you with a mailing receipt and a record of delivery is maintained at the recipient’s post office for two years. Return receipts are available for an additional fee. Certified mail service is available only for First Class Mail. No insurance coverage is provided. A numbered label and completed receipt must be affixed. You can obtain labels from mail services. See Exhibit Certified Mail.

(b) Registered Mail - the registered mail system is designed to provide added protection for valuable mail. Postage insurance may be purchased to cover articles valued up to $25,000. Registered mail is the most secure mail the Postal Service offers. It incorporates a system of receipts to monitor registered articles from the point of acceptance to delivery. Return receipts and restricted delivery services are available for additional fees. Padded envelopes, spun-bonded envelopes and envelopes made of plastic or glossy material are not acceptable for domestic registered mail. Added security may delay delivery by 24 - 48 hours. See Exhibit Registered Mail.

(c) Return Receipts - A return receipt is your proof of delivery. It is available for insured, certified, registered and domestic Express mail shipments. The return receipt identifies the article number, who signed for it and the date it was delivered. Be certain to identify your box number and department on any return receipts so we can route them back to you. See Exhibit Return Receipt.

(d) Insured Mail - You can obtain payment for domestic mail that has been lost, rifled or damaged by having it insured. You can buy insurance up to $5000 for Standard(A) and Standard(B) mail, Priority mail and First Class mail rates. Express Mail includes $500 insurance at no extra charge. See Exhibit Insured Mail.

(e) Express Mail - Use this service when reliability and speed are paramount. Available from the United States Postal Service, it reaches all major markets in the United States and most foreign countries. Express Mail, which can be used to ship letters, documents and other mailable items, carries document reconstruction insurance at no additional cost. You may mail up to 70 pounds. See Exhibit Express Mail.

Mail for this service must be delivered to Mail Services by 3:30pm to make the day’s mailing. A completed postage charge form should accompany each piece.

Delivery is guaranteed by the United States Postal Service and provides for a full postage refund if the item is not delivered on time.

International deliveries vary by country of destination. No guarantees are offered by the US Postal Service since they have no control over foreign delivery systems. There is no provision for a refund.

INTERNATIONAL MAIL

(a) Most items are mailable to foreign countries. However, there are certain restrictions. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance that mailers contact Mail Services to determine the proper classification and documentation that may be required for customs declarations.

(b) Customs Declaration Forms - All packages (16 oz. or over) to International destinations (including Canada and Mexico) and APO/FPO overseas military installations must have the appropriate Customs Declaration form attached. The old forms are NOT acceptable. Current forms, #2976 and #2976A are dated 1996. The use of these forms can vary from country to country, by weight value, content and method of transportation (air or surface); please call Mail Services, 515-9858, to help determine which form is appropriate prior to mailing. These forms are provided by the USPS, contact Mail Services, 515-9858, to order your supply.

(c) Postage rates to Canada and Mexico are less than other foreign countries. To assure that the proper postage is applied, please separate mail for Canada and Mexico from all other international mail.

(d) All mail going to foreign countries must be enveloped or wrapped (except post cards).

(e) All foreign mail should be sealed by your department.

(f) Foreign mailings should have the country name printed in capital letters in English as the only information on the bottom line. The postal delivery zone, if any, should be included with the city. For example:

MR THOMAS CLARK
117 RUSSELL DRIVE
LONDON W1P 6HQ
ENGLAND