DMM TOC > 100 Retail Letters, Cards, Flats, and Parcels > 120 Priority Mail123 Rates and Eligibility1.0 Priority Mail Rates and Fees1.1 ApplicationPriority Mail rates apply to pieces meeting the standards in 123. [E120.2.1] 1.2 Priority Mail Rate ApplicationExcept under 1.6, Flat‑Rate Envelope, Priority Mail rates are charged per pound or fraction thereof; any fraction of a pound is rounded up to the next whole pound. For example, if a piece weighs 1.2 pounds, the weight (postage) increment is 2 pounds. The minimum postage amount per addressed piece is the 1‑pound rate. The Priority Mail rate up to 1 pound is based solely on weight; for pieces weighing more than 1 pound, rates are based on weight and zone. [P013.2.4] 1.3 Priority Mail RatesParcels that weigh less than 15 pounds but measure more than 84 inches in combined length and girth are charged the applicable rate for a 15‑pound parcel. The 1‑pound rate is charged for matter sent in a Priority Mail flat‑rate envelope provided by the USPS, regardless of the actual weight of the piece. See Exhibit 1.3 Priority Mail Rates. 1.4 Rates for Keys and Identification Devices
1.5 Keys and Identification DevicesKeys and identification devices (e.g., identification cards or uncovered identification tags) that weigh more than 13 ounces but not more than 1 pound are returned at the 1‑pound Priority Mail rate plus the fee. Keys and identification devices weighing more than 1 pound but not more than 2 pounds are mailed at the 2‑pound Priority Mail rate for zone 4 plus the fee. The key or identification device must bear, contain, or have securely attached the name and complete address of a person, organization, or concern, with instructions to return the key or identification device to that address and a statement guaranteeing payment of postage due on delivery. [E120.2.4] 1.6 Flat‑Rate EnvelopeAny amount of material that can be mailed in the special flat‑rate envelope available from the USPS is subject to the 1‑pound Priority Mail rate, regardless of the weight of the mailpiece. [E120.2.2] 1.7 Balloon RateItems weighing less than 15 pounds but measuring more than 84 inches in combined length and girth are charged the rate for a 15‑pound parcel for the zone to which it is addressed. [E120.2.3] 1.8 Pickup Fee507.5.0, Pickup Service). [R100.13.2] 1.9 Determining Single‑Piece WeightTo determine single‑piece weight in any mailing of nonidentical‑weight pieces, weigh each piece individually. To determine single‑piece weight in a mailing of identical-weight pieces, weigh a sample group of at least 10 randomly selected pieces and divide the total sample weight by the number of pieces in the sample. Express all single‑piece weights in decimal pounds rounded off to four decimal places. [P013.1.3] 1.10 Computing Postage—Priority MailDetermine single‑piece weight increment for each piece and affix postage to each piece under 124.1.2, Affixing Postage—Single‑Piece Rate Mailings (as applicable) or, for permit imprint mailings, multiply the number of addressed pieces at each rate increment by the corresponding postage rate. [P013.6.0] 2.0 Basic Eligibility Standards for Priority Mail2.1 Definition of Priority MailPriority Mail is First‑Class Mail weighing more than 13 ounces and, at the mailer's option, any other mailable matter weighing 13 ounces or less. Priority Mail rates are based on zone and weight. The maximum weight is 70 pounds, except for APO and FPO mail subject to 703.2.0, Overseas Military Mail, and 703.4.0, Mail Sent by U.S. Armed Forces, and Department of State mail subject to 703.3.0. [E120.1.1] 2.2 Service ObjectivesAll Priority Mail receives expeditious handling and transportation. The USPS follows uniform guidelines for distributing and delivering mail but does not guarantee delivery within the specified time. Local postmasters can provide more information. [D100.1.0] 2.3 Matter Closed Against Postal InspectionMatter closed against postal inspection includes First‑Class Mail (including Priority Mail) and Express Mail. The USPS may open mail other than First‑Class Mail or Express Mail to determine whether the proper rate of postage is paid. Material wrapped or packaged so that it cannot be examined easily or examined without destruction or serious damage is closed against postal inspection and is charged the appropriate First‑Class Mail or Express Mail rate. [E110.1.3] 3.0 Content Standards3.1 EligibilityAll mailable matter may be sent as First‑Class Mail (including Priority Mail) or as Express Mail, except Customized MarketMail under 705.1.0 or other matter prohibited by the respective standards. [E110.1.1] 3.2 Written or Typewritten MatterMatter wholly or partially in handwriting or typewriting must be mailed as First‑Class Mail (including Priority Mail) or Express Mail, except authorized additions to Periodicals, Standard Mail, and Package Services and written or typewritten matter in Library Mail and Media Mail, as permitted by the corresponding standards. [E110.1.2] 3.3 CorrespondenceMatter that has the character of actual and personal correspondence must be mailed as First‑Class Mail (including Priority Mail) or Express Mail. [E110.1.4] 3.4 Bills and Statements of AccountBills and statements of account must be mailed as First‑Class Mail (including Priority Mail) or Express Mail according to these definitions: a. A bill is a request for payment of a definite sum of money claimed to be owing by the addressee to the sender or a third party. The mere assertion of a debt in a definite sum combined with a demand for payment is sufficient to make the message a bill. b. A statement of account is the assertion of a debt in a definite amount owed by the addressee to the sender or a third party but does not necessarily contain a request or a demand for payment. The amount may be immediately due or may become due after a certain time or on demand or billing at a later date. c. A bill or statement of account must present enough details of a debt to inform the debtor of the amount the debtor must pay to acquit himself or herself of the debt. Neither a bill nor a statement of account need state the precise amount if the bill or statement contains enough information to enable the debtor to determine the exact amount of the claim asserted. d. A bill or statement of account does not lose that character just because the amount claimed is not, in fact, owing or may not be legally collectible. [E110.1.5] 3.5 ExamplesThese are examples of material that must be mailed at First‑Class Mail (including Priority Mail) or Express Mail rates: a. Handwritten or typewritten matter, including identical copies prepared by automatic typewriter and manifold or carbon copies of this matter. Handwritten or typewritten matter does not include all matter produced by computers, but computer‑prepared material is subject to First‑Class postage if it has the character of actual and personal correspondence. b. Autograph albums containing writing. c. Notebooks or blank books containing written or typewritten entries or stenographic or shorthand notes. d. Blank printed forms filled out in writing, such as notices, certificates, and checks, either canceled or uncanceled. e. Printed price lists containing written figures changing individual items. f. Printed cards or letters bearing a written date, where the date is not the date of the card but gives information about when something is to occur or has occurred. g. Any matter marked "Postcard" or "Double Postcard." [E110.1.6] Exhibit 1.3 Priority Mail Rates
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