The Postal Service recently expanded a new online program called “Carrier Pickup” to select locations. Carrier Pickup allows customers to notify their local Post Office online when they have packages for pickup. Letter carriers will then pick up the packages on their regular delivery routes the next delivery day.
Unlike the fee-based on-call or scheduled pickup, there is no charge for Carrier Pickup because the prepaid packages are available for the carrier at the time of normal mail delivery.
Carrier Pickup is especially appealing to small business employees who do not want to leave their office to accomplish shipping tasks. Plus, the service is provided at no extra charge.
Carrier Pickup is limited to prepaid, properly addressed and packaged Express Mail and Priority Mail packages that meet Postal Service mailing standards. Parcel Post packages may be picked up also when combined with Express Mail or Priority Mail for pickup.
Postage can be prepaid with postage stamps, postage meter imprint, online PC Postage, online Click-N-Ship labels with postage, or by using a prepaid Priority Mail Flat Rate envelope. If stamps are used for postage on a flat or parcel weighing 16 ounces or more, the sender must be known by the letter carrier to reside or do business at the point of pick up. Additionally, the return address on the mailpiece must match the point of pick up.
Packages that are improperly prepared, do not have postage, or contain perishable or hazardous materials are not eligible for Carrier Pickup.
Here’s how it works:
Carrier Pickup FAQs
Q. What types of packages can be picked up at my home or business?
A. Carrier Pickup is available for sending packages and returning merchandise using the following domestic services:
Parcel Post packages may be picked up also when combined with Express Mail or Priority Mail for pickup.
Q. Where is Carrier Pickup available?
A. Carrier Pickup is available in select locations nationwide. To see if your location is available for Carrier Pickup go to USPS.com, click on the Carrier Pickup link, and enter your address and ZIP Code. If your ZIP Code is not serviced by Carrier Pickup you continue to have other convenient options for sending your packages. You can hand your packages to your carrier during regular delivery, leave your packages for your carrier to pick up at your mailbox, call your local Postmaster to arrange pickup schedules, or drop your packages into a blue collection box. When using a collection box, please note that stamped packages must weigh less than 1 pound. And of course, you can take your packages to the Post Office, where we will be happy to assist you.
Q. Are there limitations to what can be picked up?
A. Yes. Perishable and hazardous materials cannot be picked up. This includes items that contain anything fragile without proper packaging or liquid, perishable, or potentially hazardous items. Additionally, individual items cannot exceed:
For more detailed information about what can be mailed, customers should reference the Domestic Mail Manual, which is available online at http://pe.usps.gov.
Q. Can I leave money for postage with my packages?
A. No. Sufficient postage must be affixed to the package.
Q. Do I need to be present when my packages are picked up?
A. If stamps are used for postage on a flat or parcel weighing 16 ounces or more you must be present or be known by the letter carrier to reside or do business at the point of pickup. Additionally, the return address on the mailpiece must match the point of pickup.
Q. Can I print labels and postage online?
A. Yes you can. Go to USPS.com and click on Print Shipping Labels using Click-N-Ship to print shipping labels with postage for Express Mail and Priority Mail service. Or choose PC Postage. Click on Print Postage from your PC and there you can find links to software vendors to set up personal postage printing for all mail classes (except Periodicals) from your computer.
Q. Can I access postage rates online?
A. Yes you can. Go to USPS.com, click on Calculate Postage, and follow the prompts.
Q. Can I request a pickup on a holiday or weekend?
A. You can submit your request on a holiday or weekend. However, the pickup will occur on the next delivery day. For example, requests made on Saturday afternoons will be accepted for Monday pickup, unless Monday is a postal holiday.
Q. How do I know if my carrier successfully picked up my package?
A. Your carrier will leave a pickup notification at the pickup location. This notice will confirm that the package was successfully picked up. If the package was not collected, the notice will detail why.
Q. How do I contact the USPS if I have a question about my pickup request?
A. For questions about your Carrier Pickup request, contact your local Post Office. Phone numbers are available at Locate a Post Office on USPS.com.
Q. I didn’t receive a pickup confirmation notice. What should I do?
A. Contact your local Post Office. Although not intentional, your carrier may have forgotten to leave behind a confirmation notice.
Q. Can I confirm the delivery status of picked up packages online?
A. Yes. Delivery status is available for Express Mail items and for packages that include Delivery Confirmation, or Signature Confirmation, service. Once your packages are entered into our system you can visit Track & Confirm on USPS.com.