Effective August 14, 2008, the Postal Service™ is revising the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) 508.4.0 to include the ability to apply and pay for Post Office™ boxes online. Customers applying for a Post Office™ box online do not receive a box number online, but instead reserve a box of a specific size at a specific location. The Post Office box number and keys, or combination number, are provided when identity and physical address are verified at the Post Office.
The online option (available on August 16) also allows existing customers to make one-time renewal payments and to establish recurring payments. The online capabilities are not available for free (Group E) Post Office box service or for caller service boxes.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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500 Additional Services
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508 Recipient Services
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4.0 Post Office Box Service
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4.2 Basic Information for Post Office Box Service
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4.2.5 Box Availability
[Revise text of 4.2.5 to add reference to online options as follows:]
When no box of the appropriate size is available, an application for box service may be handled, at the postmaster’s discretion, in any one or more of the following ways:
a. By referring the customer to another postal facility with available capacity.
b. By placing the customer’s name on a waiting list for box service.
c. By providing general delivery service until an appropriate size box becomes available.
d. By offering a smaller or larger box at its applicable fee.
e. By offering caller service at its applicable fee.
[Renumber current 4.2.6 and 4.2.7 as 4.2.7 and 4.2.8 and add new 4.2.6 as follows:]
4.2.6 Unavailable Box
Online customers cannot apply for a box that is not available, but can place themselves on a waiting list for the box or search online for another available box at that facility or at another facility close to a specific address or ZIP Code area. Customers must pay the correct fee for the service they receive, regardless of the box size applied for.
4.2.7 Service Period
[Revise text of renumbered 4.2.7 to add 12- month period option as follows:]
Post Office box service is provided in 6- or 12-month prepaid periods.
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4.3 Service
4.3.1 Application
[Revise text of 4.3.1 to add the online option as follows:]
Procedures for applying for Post Office box service are as follows:
a. Applying at a Post Office:
1. The applicant must complete all required items on PS Form 1093, Application for Post Office Box Service, and submit it to any postal facility that provides window service to the public. The facility need not be where box service is desired. Furnishing false information on the application or refusing to furnish required information may be sufficient reason for denial of the application or discontinuance of service.
2. Spouses may complete and sign one PS Form 1093. Each spouse must present two forms of valid identification. A parent or guardian may receive delivery of a minor’s mail by listing the name(s) of each minor on PS Form 1093. Other adult persons who receive mail in the Post Office box of an individual box customer must be listed on PS Form 1093 and must present two forms of valid identification to the Post Office.
3. Employees or other representatives of organizations who receive mail in the Post Office box must be listed on PS Form 1093. Each person must have verifiable identification and, upon request, present this identification to the USPS.
4. When any information required on PS Form 1093 changes, the box customer must update the application on file at the Post Office.
b. Applying Online:
1. An applicant searches for and selects a box, including size and Post Office location, and the service time period.
2. The applicant must complete all required items on the online application (PS Form 1093) and read the Privacy Act statement.
3. The applicant must complete the payment information.
4. The applicant must present an unsigned printout of the online application (PS Form 1093) in person to the Post Office along with two forms of valid identification, as stated in 4.3.2, to complete the application process and, upon approval, receive the box number and keys or lock combination.
5. Spouses may complete one online application. Each spouse must present two forms of valid identification. A parent or guardian may receive delivery of a minor’s mail by listing the name(s) of each minor on the online application. Other adult persons who receive mail in the Post Office box of an individual box customer must be listed on the online application and must present two forms of valid identification to the Post Office upon request. Additional box users authorized to pick up mail from the box may be added to the printed copy of the application at the Post Office and must have two forms of valid identification.
6. When any information on the online application changes, the box customer must update the application on file at the Post Office.
4.3.2 Verification
[Revise text of 4.3.2 by adding a new second sentence to the introductory paragraph as follows:]
***Customers who apply online for a Post Office box do not receive their box number and keys (or combination number) until verification is complete and the application is approved.***
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4.3.4 Minor
[Revise text of 4.3.4 to add a new last sentence as follows:]
***Minors are not eligible to apply for Post Office box service.
4.4 Conditions of Use
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4.4.4 Overflow
[Revise text of 4.4.4 by adding a new last sentence as follows:]
***Customers whose box is in an overflow condition may not be eligible to make payment renewals at Automated Postal Centers (APCs) or online.
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4.5 Basis of Fees and Payment
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4.5.4 Payment
[Revise text of 4.5.4 to expand payment options as follows:]
All fees for Post Office box service are for 6- or 12-month prepaid periods, except as noted under 4.5.6, 4.5.7, and 4.5.10. The fee may be paid up to 1 year in advance, but not more. The fee that is in effect on the day that the fee is paid applies for either the 6- or 12-month period. Customers may pay the Post Office box fee using any of the following methods:
a. In person using cash, credit or debit card, or check or money order payable to the postmaster.
b. By mail using check or money order payable to the postmaster. A mailed payment must be received by the postmaster on or before the due date.
c. At any APC nationwide using a credit or debit card.
d. Online at www.usps.com/poboxes using a credit card.
e. Online with automatic PO box renewal available at www.usps.com/poboxes using a credit card.
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4.6 Fee Group Assignments
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4.6.3 Additional Standards for Free Box Service
[Insert new last sentence as follows:]
***The online application tools described in 4.3.1.b cannot be used for free Post Office box service.
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We will incorporate these revisions into the August update of the online DMM available via Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com and into the next printed version of the DMM.
— Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 8-14-08
