114 Postage Payment Methods

1.0 Postage Payment Methods

1.1 Payment Method

[5-12-08] Retail Express Mail postage may be paid with adhesive stamps (see 604.1.0) or with meter stamps (see 604.4.0).The mailer is responsible for proper payment of postage.

1.2 Affixing Postage—Single-Piece Mailings

In a postage-affixed Express Mail mailing, the mailer must affix to each piece a value in adhesive stamps or meter stamps equal to at least the postage required.

1.3 Prepaid Reply Postage

Meter stamps may be used to prepay reply postage on any Express Mail shipment. The mailer must place meter stamps, sufficient to prepay postage in full, on the envelope, tube, or other mailing container that bears the return address of the meter license holder. Reply mail prepaid with meter stamps is delivered only to the address of the meter license holder. If the address is altered, the mail is held for postage.

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2.0 Corporate Accounts

2.1 Availability

[5-12-08] A corporate account (see 414.2.0) is available to any mailer, subject to 414.2.3 through 414.2.6 and the terms on Form 5639. The address provided by the mailer on Form 5639 must be valid as a condition of an account being opened.

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3.0 Postage Refunds

3.1 Postage Not Refunded

Postage refunds may not be available if delivery was attempted within the times required for the specific service, or if the delay of the item was caused by any of the following reasons:

a. Properly detained for law enforcement purpose; strike or work stoppage; delayed because of an incorrect ZIP Code or address; forwarding or return service was provided after the item was made available for claim; delay or cancellation of flights. Attempted delivery occurs under any of these situations when the delivery is physically attempted, but cannot be made; the shipment is available for delivery, but the addressee made a written request that the shipment be held for a specific day or days; the delivery employee discovers that the shipment is undeliverable as addressed before leaving on the delivery route.

b. As authorized by USPS Headquarters, when the delay was caused by governmental action beyond the control of the USPS or air carriers; war, insurrection, or civil disturbance; breakdown of a substantial portion of the USPS transportation network resulting from events or factors outside the control of the USPS; or acts of God.

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