Addressing Tips

• Write, type, or print the complete address neatly.
• Always use a complete return address.
• Always provide complete street address information, such as AVE, BLVD, and ST. Always use the apartment or suite number as well as correct directionals such as N, W, and SW.
• Don’t let an incorrect ZIP Code create a glitch in timely delivery of cards and letters. Local Post Offices and the Postal Service website — www.usps.com — offer ZIP Code information.

Packaging Tips

• Select a box that’s strong enough to protect the contents.
• Cushion the contents of the package with shredded or rolled newspaper, bubble wrap, or Styrofoam peanuts.
• Always use tape that is designed for shipping, such as pressure-sensitive tape, nylon-reinforced craft paper tape, or glass-reinforced pressure-sensitive tape. Never use string or twine to secure a package.
• The only addresses on packages for mailing should be the delivery and return addresses. Since improperly wrapped packages sometimes fall apart during shipment, it’s a good idea to include a card with a return address and a description of the items inside the package.
• Carefully pack glass and fragile hollow items, like vases, with newspaper or packing material to avoid damage due to shock. When mailing framed photographs, take the glass out of the frame and wrap it separately.
• Remove batteries from toys. Wrap and place them next to the toys in the mailing container.
• Packages that weigh over 1 pound cannot be mailed in a collection box but must be taken to the retail counter of the Post Office.

Holiday 2003 Special Tips

• Save time by purchasing packaging materials, including boxes and padding materials at your local Post Office. Express Mail and Priority Mail boxes, envelopes, and tubes are available at no extra charge.
• Remove or completely obliterate all irrelevant package markings and labels before reusing a box for mailing. The Post Office will not accept parcels if markings visibly indicate that the box was used for shipping hazardous material.
• Visit www.usps.com for postage calculations, Post Office locations, and ZIP Code lookup, plus stamps and unique gifts at the online Postal Store.
• Avoid waiting in line to purchase holiday stamps by using Stamps By Phone™ (800-STAMP-24), Stamps By Mail®, Postal Service vending machines, or go online to the Postal Store at www.usps.com/shop.
• Express Mail service offers guaranteed delivery service 365 days a year, including all weekends and holidays. The overnight delivery money-back guarantee typically applies to local area delivery and for delivery to major metropolitan areas where timely air transportation connections are available. Express Mail service to all other areas is offered with a 2-day guarantee. While the Postal Service will accept items for Express Mail delivery on Christmas Day, customers are asked to check with their local Post Office for details.
• For procrastinators shipping domestically, we offer Priority Mail service, which gets packages to their destinations on average in 2-3 days. It’s a great buy starting at $3.85 for up to 1 pound. For $13.65 for up to 1/2 pound, we also have Express Mail service that gets mail to most major cities overnight.
• Want to know when your package was delivered? Delivery Confirmation™ service is available for Priority Mail and Parcel Post shipments. For a fee customers receive a tracking number and can retrieve delivery information through the Postal Service Internet address or a toll-free telephone number.
• Shopping online? Don’t forget to request the best-value shipping solution, Priority Mail service, from your online retailer for all of your holiday gifts.

We offer five international service options based on speed and price. Delivery times are based on the number of business days specified for each service depending on origin and destination. For example, a package mailed from New York to Beijing will take longer than a package from New York to London.

International Mail Tips

2-3 days: Global Express Guaranteed® service. Customers who need guaranteed day-certain delivery, generally within 2-3 days, and need to track an item should take advantage of Global Express Guaranteed service. It’s delivered to more than 200 countries with rates for documents starting at $24.00 for 1/2 pound, with package rates starting at $36.00 for 1 pound. There’s an automatic 5 percent discount on Global Express Guaranteed packages shipped when postage is paid through Click-N-Ship, the USPS online shipping service.

3-5 Days: Global Express Mail™ service. For a perfect balance between speed and price, without having a need for a guaranteed delivery date, Global Express Mail service is the answer. Designed for delivery within 3-5 days to more than 190 countries, depending on distance, Global Express Mail service has on-line tracking to more than 60 countries with prices starting at $15.50 for 1/2 pound. Global Express Mail is also available through Click-N-Ship, the USPS online shipping service.

4-6 Days: Global Priority Mail® service. For the look and feel of an expedited global service at a lower cost, Global Priority Mail service is designed to be delivered within 4-6 days to 51 major countries. For customer convenience, the service is available in two attractive flat rate envelopes. Small envelope prices start at $4.00 with large envelopes priced at $7.00 and $9.00 respectively for items going to Canada or Mexico and the rest of the world. Global Priority Mail shipments can also be made in an attractive box or large tyvek envelope at country zone rates. Customers can use their own packaging, also at zone rates, by adding the Global Priority Mail sticker. This service, limited to items weighing up to 4 pounds, receives priority handling.

4-7 Days: Global Airmail® service. Global Airmail service mails a standard letter or package and is delivered to virtually every country in the world and is designed to be delivered within 4-7 days for letters, and up to 10 days for parcels. Items travel by air and are delivered as First-Class Mail. Some special services also can be purchased. Each item must be marked Airmail/Par Avion. Prices start at $0.60 for a 1-ounce letter and $13.00 for a 1-pound parcel.

4-6 Weeks: Global Economy™ service. For customers who feel that cost is the issue rather than delivery time, Global Economy service is most economical. To most of the world this means transport by ship from the U.S. to the destination country. Once in the destinating country, the item is moved by truck, rail, or other mode of surface transportation to the recipient. This service is designed to be delivered within 4-6 weeks. There is a 1-pound minimum weight rate for letters starting at $2.70, and a 5-pound minimum weight rate for packages starting at $15.25.