Choosing a Service for Mailing

Several mailing services are available to fit your needs. Shape + Speed + Cost = Service
Shape	Speed	Cost	Service
70 lbs or less	1-2 days guaranteed	$$$ based on weight	Express Mail
70 lbs or less	1-3 days	$$ based on weight and distance if over 1 pound	Priority Mail
13 oz or less	1-3 days	$ based on weight	First-Class Mail
70 lbs or less	2-9days	$ based on weight and distance	Parcel Post
70 lbs or less	2-9 days	$ based on weight and content	Media Mail
15 lbs or less	2-9 days	$ based on weight, content, and distance	Bound Printed Matter

Express Mail®
Letters, large or thick envelopes, tubes, and packages containing mailable items can be sent using Express Mail. This guaranteed service includes tracking and insurance up to $100. Delivery to most destinations is available 365 days a year, with no extra charge for Saturday, Sunday, and holiday delivery. Free Express Mail envelopes, boxes, and tubes are available at the Post Office.

Priority Mail®
Large or thick envelopes, tubes, and packages containing mailable items can be sent using Priority Mail. This service is typically used to send documents, gifts, and merchandise. Free Priority Mail envelopes, boxes, and tubes are available at Mail Services or the Post Office in a variety of sizes to meet various needs.

First-Class Mail®
Postcards, letters, large envelopes, and small packages can be sent using First-Class Mail. This service is typically used for personal and business correspondence and bills.

Parcel Post®
Small and large packages, thick envelopes, and tubes containing gifts and merchandise can be sent using Parcel Post.

Media Mail®
Small and large packages, thick envelopes, and tubes can be sent using Media Mail. Contents are limited to books, film, manuscripts, sound recordings, video tapes, and computer media (such as CDs, DVDs, and diskettes). Sometimes called "Book Rate," Media Mail cannot contain advertising. Media Mail is less expensive than Parcel Post.

Generally used for books (at least eight pages), film (16 mm or narrower), printed music, printed test materials, video and sound recordings, play scripts, printed educational charts, loose-leaf pages and binders consisting of medical information, and computer-readable media. Advertising restrictions apply.

Bound Printed Matter
Small and large packages and thick envelopes can be sent using this service. Contents are limited to permanently bound sheets of directory, advertising, or editorial matter, such as catalogs or phone books. Bound Printed Matter is less expensive than Parcel Post but more expensive than Media Mail.

Bound Printed Matter (BPM) is Package Services matter (typically catalogs, directories, books, and other printed material) that weighs up to 15 pounds and meets specific eligibility standards. General standards include:

■ Consists of advertising, promotional, directory, or editorial material (or any combination of these).

■ Is securely bound by permanent fastening.

■ Consists of sheets of which at least 90% are imprinted by any process other than handwriting, typewriting with letters, characters, figures, or images (or any combination of these).

■ Does not have the nature of personal correspondence.

■ Is not stationery (e.g., pads of blank printed forms).

Library Mail

Generally used by qualified libraries, schools, nonprofit organizations, universities, and museums to mail specific types of Package Services matter that meet additional eligibility standards. Mailable items are limited generally to books, recordings, educational, and museum materials; advertising restrictions apply.

Specific mailable items may be sent to, from, or between a school, college, university, public library, museum, herbarium, or nonprofit organization (religious, educational, scientific, philanthropic, agricultural, labor, veterans, or fraternal); any such institution, organization, or association, and an individual who has no financial interest in the sale, promotion, or distribution of the materials. Also, there are provisions for publishers to mail specified items to qualified customers.

Speed depends on distance. Mail takes longer to travel across the country than to travel across town.

Flat Rate Envelopes let you send your document or package for one low rate, regardless of how much the item weighs. Flat rate envelopes are free and available for Express Mail and Priority Mail in 4 different sizes to accommodate various mailing needs.