Quick Service Guide 120

Retail Letters, Flats, and Parcels

Priority Mail

January 4, 2010
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Physical Standards (101.5.0)

Maximum weight: 70 pounds.

Maximum length and girth: 108 inches.

Prices and Fees (123.1.0)

For a complete listing of retail Priority Mail prices, see Notice 123-Price List.

Priority Mail offers 2-3 day service to most domestic destinations and is often used to expedite matter mailable as First-Class Mail, Periodicals, or Standard Mail. Priority Mail envelopes and boxes are available at no additional cost at Post Offices.

Priority Mail flat-rate options offer one low price regardless how much the item weighs. Only USPS-produced flat-rate packaging is eligible for flat-rate pricing. Flat-rate supplies are available at Post Offices or at www.usps.com. The following sizes are available:

Flat-rate envelope:

Small flat-rate box:

Medium flat-rate boxes:

Large flat-rate box:

The Priority Mail large flat-rate box may be used for APO and FPO destination addresses at $2 off the regular retail price.

Commercial base prices (423.1.0) are available for postage paid through: Click-N-Ship, registered end-users of USPS-approved PC Postage products when using a qualifying shipping label, information based indicia (IBI) postage meters (in conjunction with an approved shipping label that includes a confirmation services barcode with a postal routing code), and permit imprint (423.1.5).

Commercial plus prices (423.1.6) are available to existing and new customers whose account volume exceeds a minimum threshold or who have a customer commitment agreement with the USPS, and who are: registered end-users of USPS-approved PC Postage products, permit imprint customers, and Priority Mail Open and Distribute customers.

Pickup On Demand: is available regardless of the number of pieces; service and information available by calling 1-800-222-1811 or at www.usps.com. Only one fee for Express Mail, Priority Mail, or Parcel Post picked up at the same time (123.1.8).

Carrier Pickup: free; submit your request online at www.usps.com and have your Express Mail, Priority Mail, or international mail packages, with postage affixed, ready when your carrier arrives for your regular mail delivery.

Content (123.3.0)

Mailers have the option to use Express Mail or Priority Mail service for mailpieces required to be mailed as First-Class Mail. Unless Express Mail is used, Priority Mail prices are required for a mailpiece that weighs more than 13 ounces when the mailpiece contains matter that must be mailed as First-Class Mail, see 133.3.0. All mailable matter may be sent as Priority Mail, except matter prohibited by standards (e.g., certain hazardous materials). Matter mailed in USPS-provided Priority Mail packaging is subject to Priority Mail prices regardless of how the package is reconfigured or how the marking is obliterated.

Each piece must include complete delivery and return addresses with correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code (602.1.0).

Postage Payment and Documentation (124)

Adhesive stamp (604.1.0), meter and PC Postage (604.4.0), or permit imprint (604.5.0). For Priority Mail Open and Distribute, see 705.16.0.

Postage statement: PS Form 3600-R or approved facsimile; other documentation may be required by standards for payment method used. No form required if metered postage is affixed.

Mail Preparation (125)

Marking on each piece: "Priority Mail."

Deposit (126)

Deposit:

Delivery: uninsured mail at mailer's option left in protected place if endorsed "Carrier—Leave If No Response" (508.1.2).

Open and Distribute shipments: standards (705.16.0).

Determining Priority Mail Dimensional Weight
Priority Mail dimensional weight for rectangular shaped parcels to zones 5-8. 1. Measure the length, width, and height in inches. Round off1 each measurement to the nearest whole inch: (length = 21, height = 20, and width = 20). 2. Multiply length x height x width: (21 x 20 x 20) = 8,400 cubic inches. 3. If the result exceeds 1,728 cubic inches, divide the result by 194 and round up2 to the next whole number to determine dimensional weight in pounds:(8,400/194 = 43.29) 43.29 rounded up to the next pound is 44. 4. The price is based on the actual weight or dimensional weight, whichever is greater. In this example the dimensional weight for this rectangular package to zones 5-8 is 44 pounds.
Priority Mail dimensional weight for nonrectangular shaped parcels to zones 5-8. 1. Measure the length, width, and height in inches at their extreme dimensions. Round off1 each measurement to the nearest whole inch: (length = 30, height = 9, and width = 18). 2. Multiply length x height x width: (30 x 9 x 18) = 4,860 cubic inches. 3. Multiply the result by an adjustment factor of 0.785: 4,860 x 0.785 = 3,815.1 cubic inches. 4. If the final result exceeds 1,728 cubic inches, divide the result by 194 and round up2 to the next whole number to determine the dimensional weight in pounds: (3,815.1/194 = 19.66) 19.66 rounded up to the next pound is 20. 5. The price is based on the actual weight or dimensional weight, whichever is greater. 6. If the dimensional weight exceeds 70 pounds, the package pays the 70 pound price. In this example the dimensional weight for this nonrectangular package to zones 5-8 is 20 pounds. To calculate Priority Mail prices, visit Postal Explorer at pe.usps.com. Under "Price Calculator", click on Retail/Single-Piece in the left frame.

1Round off (e.g., 20.5 rounded off to the next whole number is 21, and 20.4 rounded off is 20), see 604.7.1.3. 2Round up (e.g., rounding up either 44.2 or 44.8 to the next whole pound is 45).

Priority Mail envelopes, boxes, and other supplies are available by phone at 1-800-222-1811 or via the Web at shop.usps.com. Some items are available at Post Offices.

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