The Postal Service is the centerpiece of the U.S. mailing industry, providing a wide variety of services to meet almost any mailing need. Services include Mailing Services and Shipping Services as described in more detail below.
First-Class Mail — Offered for postcards, letters, or any advertisement or merchandise up to 13 ounces destined for either domestic or international delivery. Personal correspondence, handwritten or typewritten letters, bills or statements of account, and payments must be mailed via First-Class Mail, Express Mail, or Priority Mail.
Standard Mail — Offered for any item, including advertisements and merchandise weighing less than 16 ounces, that is not required to be sent using First-Class Mail. Standard Mail is typically used for direct advertising to multiple delivery addresses. Content restrictions apply for authorized nonprofit mailers.
Periodicals — Offered for newspaper, magazine and newsletter distribution. This service requires prior authorization by the Postal Service.
Package Services — Offered for any merchandise or printed matter weighing up to 70 pounds. These services include single-piece Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, Library Mail, and Media Mail.
Special Services — Offered for a variety of enhancements that add value to mail services. Many provide added security, proof of delivery, or loss recovery. Examples of these services include: Certified Mail, Registered Mail, Delivery Confirmation, Signature Confirmation, and insurance up to $5,000.
Post Offices Boxes — Provide customers an additional method for mail delivery that is private and convenient.
Money Orders — A special service offering a safe, convenient, and economical alternative to sending cash through the mail. They can be purchased at any Post Office or from any rural route carrier and can be sent within the U.S. and to some foreign countries. Postal money orders are available for any amount up to $1,000. Money orders can be cashed at any Post Office or can be deposited or negotiated at financial institutions. The Postal Service will replace Money Orders that have been damaged, lost, or stolen.
Express Mail — Includes domestic and international offerings. This overnight, money-back guaranteed service includes tracking, proof of delivery, and basic insurance up to $100. Delivery is offered to most domestic U.S. destinations and is available 365 days a year. A surcharge is added for Sunday and holiday delivery. Express Mail Flat Rate envelopes are available for shipments to any location in the United States. Commercial Base and Commercial Plus pricing is available for customers meeting certain volume thresholds. Express Mail International offers fast delivery service to over 190 countries with guaranteed service to select destinations using Global Express Guaranteed.
Priority Mail — Offered as a service both within the U.S. and to numerous destinations abroad. The domestic offering is a 1–3 day nonguaranteed delivery service that is typically used to send documents, gifts, and merchandise. Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes and envelopes are available for shipments at fixed prices. Commercial Base and Commercial Plus pricing is available for customers meeting certain volume thresholds. Priority Mail International provides customers with a reliable and economical means of sending items weighing up to 70 pounds to over 190 countries and territories worldwide.
Parcels — Parcel Select and Parcel Return Services provide commercial customers with an economical means of shipping packages. By taking advantage of the “first mile and last mile” strengths of the Postal Service, Parcel Select saves customers money by entering packages into the postal network closer to their ultimate destination. Parcel Return Service provides a service to commercial customers allowing them to easily and economically retrieve packages returned by their customers. Parcel Select and Parcel Return Services allow us to partner with privately-owned delivery services to serve our respective customers’ needs.
Details on Mailing and Shipping Services revenue are found in the Operating Statistics table immediately following the Notes to the Financial Statements.
