UMass Services: Mail Services


Mail Services Main Page	Campus Services	Questions or Comments

Surface Services

The U. S. Postal service provides surface service for printed matter, parcel post and book rate. All three services travel by boat or ship. This can take from 4 to 6 weeks to Europe or even longer to Australia and the far east. Material must be wrapped well as rectangular book packs can take on circular shapes after 8 weeks in the bowels of a ship! Weight limits for printed matter and parcel post are the same as for Air Mail given above. The weight limit for books is 11 lbs. for most countries and 22 lbs. for Latin America and South America.

IMPORTANT NOTICE! AS OF SUMMER 1996-NEW CUSTOMS REGULATIONS!

Due to tightening of security regulations, customs forms are now required on all international mail that weighs 1 lb. or more. This applies to manila envelopes that are sent surface or air which exceed the limit as well as other articles. Departments that mail internationally on a regular basis should contact Mail Services or the U.S Post Office to secure a supply of the new forms. Contact Mail Services for more information at 413-545-2488.

Registry Services

Registry service is available to some countries for letter class mail, small packets, and all printed matter. Unlike the domestic service, indemnity protection is limited to $42.30 for all countries except Canada. Canada provides protection to $1,000. Return receipts are available for some countries. (Note-return receipts for foreign mail are pink not green!) Registered mail cannot have address labels or shiny tape of any kind. The address must be written directly on the mail piece, preferably in indelible ink.

Insurance

Insurance is available to some countries and amounts available vary from $50 to $1200. Insurance is only available for parcel post mail (surface or air). Custom forms are always required and return receipts are sometimes available.

[Mail Services Main Page] [Campus Services] [Questions or Comments]