150 Retail Mail USPS Retail Ground

153 Prices and Eligibility

Overview

1.0 Prices and Fees

2.0 Basic Eligibility Standards for USPS Retail Ground

3.0 Content Standards

4.0 Attachments and Enclosures

 

1.0 Prices and Fees

1.1 Price Eligibility

USPS Retail Ground prices are calculated based on the zone to which the parcel is addressed and the weight of the parcel. USPS Retail Ground prices are available as follows:

1. Except for items mailed under 1.1b, 1.1c, and 1.3, USPS Retail Ground prices are only available for mailable items sent to Zones 5 through 9.
2. Except for items mailed under 1.3, USPS Retail Ground prices are available for items sent to Zones 1 through 9 that contain mailable hazardous materials or live animals eligible to be shipped by surface transportation, or for items required by standard to be shipped by surface transportation only.
3. The oversized price applies to pieces that measure over 108 inches but not more than 130 inches in combined length and girth.
4. Customers mailing USPS Retail Ground — Limited Overland Routes parcels that weigh less than 20 pounds but measure more than 84 inches (but not more than 108 inches) in combined length and girth are charged the applicable price for a 20-pound parcel (balloon price).

1.2 USPS Retail Ground Price Application

The USPS Retail Ground price is charged per pound or fraction thereof; any fraction of a pound is considered a whole pound. The minimum postage per piece is the 1-pound price. Affix the correct full postage to each piece. See Notice 123—Price List.

1.3 USPS Retail Ground – Limited Overland Routes Prices

USPS Retail Ground—LOR retail prices are only available when mailing items within the state of Alaska for pieces delivered to or from the eligible intra-Alaska ZIP Codes not connected by overland routes in Exhibit 1.3. USPS Retail Ground—LOR is not limited to hazardous materials, live animals, or other items required to be shipped by ground transportation. USPS Retail Ground—LOR retail prices are not available through online or commercial postage payment.

Exhibit 1.3 USPS Retail Ground—LOR Eligible Intra-Alaska ZIP Codes

USPS Retail Ground—LOR eligible intra-Alaska ZIP Codes are as follows:

99545, 99546, 99547, 99548, 99549, 99550, 99551, 99552, 99553, 99554, 99555, 99557, 99558, 99559, 99561, 99563, 99564, 99565, 99569, 99571, 99574, 99575, 99576, 99578, 99579, 99580, 99581, 99583, 99585, 99589, 99590, 99591, 99602, 99604, 99606, 99607, 99608, 99609, 99612, 99613, 99614, 99615, 99619, 99620, 99621, 99622, 99624, 99625, 99626, 99627, 99628, 99630, 99632, 99633, 99634, 99636, 99637, 99638, 99640, 99641, 99643, 99644, 99647, 99648, 99649, 99650, 99651, 99653, 99655, 99656, 99657, 99658, 99659, 99660, 99661, 99662, 99663, 99665, 99666, 99667, 99668, 99670, 99671, 99675, 99677, 99678, 99679, 99680, 99681, 99682, 99684, 99685, 99689, 99690, 99691, 99692, 99695, 99697, 99720, 99721, 99722, 99723, 99724, 99726, 99727, 99730, 99732, 99733, 99734, 99736, 99738, 99739, 99740, 99741, 99742, 99745, 99746, 99747, 99748, 99749, 99750, 99751, 99752, 99753, 99754, 99756, 99757, 99758, 99759, 99761, 99762, 99763, 99765, 99766, 99767, 99768, 99769, 99770, 99771, 99772, 99773, 99774, 99777, 99778, 99781, 99782, 99783, 99784, 99785, 99786, 99788, 99789, 99790, 99791, 99801, 99802, 99803, 99811, 99812, 99820, 99821, 99824, 99825, 99826, 99827, 99829, 99830, 99832, 99833, 99835, 99836, 99840, 99841, 99850, 99901, 99903, 99918, 99919, 99921, 99922, 99923, 99925, 99926, 99927, 99928, 99929, 99950.

1.4 Dimensional Weight Price for Low-Density Parcels to Zones 1–9

Except for USPS Retail Ground — Limited Overland Routes parcels as specified in 1.3, postage for parcels addressed for delivery to zones 1–9 and exceeding 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches) is based on the actual weight or the dimensional weight (as calculated in 1.4.1 or 1.4.21.4.2), whichever is greater.

1.4.1 Determining Dimensional Weight for Rectangular Parcels

Follow these steps to determine the dimensional weight for a rectangular parcel:

1. Measure the length, width, and height in inches. Round off (see 604.7.0) each measurement to the nearest whole inch.
2. Multiply the length by the width and then that total by the height.
3. If the result exceeds 1,728 cubic inches, divide the result by 166 and round up (see 604.7.0) to the next whole number to determine the dimensional weight in pounds.
4. If the dimensional weight exceeds 70 pounds, the customer pays the 70-pound price.

1.4.2 Determining Dimensional Weight for Nonrectangular Parcels

Follow these steps to determine the dimensional weight for a nonrectangular parcel:

1. Measure the length, width, and height in inches at their extreme dimensions. Round off (see 604.7.0) each measurement to the nearest whole inch.
2. Multiply the length by the width and then that total by the height.
3. Multiply the result by an adjustment factor of 0.785.
4. If the final result exceeds 1,728 cubic inches, divide the result by 166 and round up (see 604.7.0) to the next whole number to determine the dimensional weight in pounds.
5. If the dimensional weight exceeds 70 pounds, the customer pays the 70-pound price.

2.0 Basic Eligibility Standards for USPS Retail Ground

2.1 Description of Service

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USPS Retail Ground is a ground shipping product for parcels, including oversized parcels, available only through retail channels. The USPS does not guarantee the delivery of USPS Retail Ground within a specified time.

2.2 Inspection of Contents

USPS Retail Ground mail is not sealed against postal inspection. Regardless of physical closure, the mailing of articles at USPS Retail Ground prices constitutes consent by the mailer to postal inspection of the contents.

2.3 Delivery and Return Addresses

All USPS Retail Ground mail must bear a delivery and return address.

3.0 Content Standards

USPS Retail Ground mail consists of mailable matter that is neither mailed or required to be mailed as First-Class Mail nor entered as Periodicals (except as permitted under 3.0a and 3.0b or permitted or required under 207.7.9). The general public (other than publishers or registered news agents) may mail copies of Periodicals publications at USPS Retail Ground prices. Attachments or enclosures (also see 4.0) of Periodicals sample copies may be mailed under the following conditions:

1. Sample copies of authorized and pending Periodicals publications may be enclosed or attached with merchandise sent at USPS Retail Ground prices.
2. Postage at USPS Retail Ground prices is based on the combined weight of the host piece and the sample copies enclosed.

4.0 Attachments and Enclosures

4.1 Enclosures

USPS Retail Ground may contain any printed matter mailable as USPS Marketing Mail, in addition to the enclosures and additions listed in 4.0.

4.2 Written Additions

Markings that have the character of personal correspondence require, with certain exceptions, additional postage at the First-Class Mail prices. The following written additions and enclosures do not require additional First-Class Mail postage:

1. The sender’s and the addressee’s names, occupations, and addresses, preceded by “From” or “To,” and directions for handling.
2. Marks, numbers, names, or letters describing the contents.
3. Words or phrases such as “Do Not Open Until Christmas” and “Happy Birthday, Mother.”
4. Instructions and directions for the use of the item mailed.
5. A manuscript dedication or inscription not having the nature of personal correspondence.
6. Marks to call attention to words or passages in the text.
7. Corrections of typographical errors in printed matter.
8. Manuscripts accompanying related proof sheets and corrections of proof sheets including corrections of typographical and other errors, changes in the text, insertions of new text, marginal instructions to the printer, and corrective rewrites of parts.
9. Handstamped imprints, unless the added material is in itself personal or converts the original matter to a personal communication.
10. Matter mailable separately as USPS Marketing Mail printed on the wrapper, envelope, tag, or label.

4.3 Invoice

An invoice, whether it also serves as a bill, may be placed either inside a USPS Retail Ground piece or in an envelope marked “Invoice Enclosed” and attached to the outside of the piece if the invoice relates solely to the matter with which it is mailed. The invoice may show this information:

1. Names and addresses of the sender and addressee.
2. Names and quantities of the articles enclosed, descriptions of each (e.g., price, tax, style, stock number, size, and quality, and, if defective, nature of defects).
3. Order or file number, date of order, date and manner of shipment, shipping weight, postage paid, and initials or name of packer or checker.

4.4 Incidental First-Class Mail Attachments and Enclosures

Incidental First-Class Mail matter may be enclosed in or attached to any USPS Retail Ground piece without payment of First-Class Mail postage. An incidental First-Class Mail attachment or enclosure must be matter that, if mailed separately, would require First-Class Mail postage, is closely associated with but secondary to the host piece, and is prepared so as not to interfere with postal processing. An incidental First-Class Mail attachment or enclosure may be a bill for the product or publication, a statement of account for past products or publications, or a personal message or greeting included with a product, publication, or parcel. Postage at the USPS Retail Ground price for the host piece is based on the combined weight of the host piece and the incidental First-Class Mail attachment or enclosure.