Quick Service Guide 410

Commercial Parcels

Priority Mail Express

May 5, 2014
Printer-Friendly PDF

Physical Standards (401.1.0)

Maximum weight: 70 pounds.

Maximum length and girth: 108 inches.

Prices and Fees (413.1.0)

For a complete list of commercial Priority Mail Express prices, see Notice 123–Price List.

Except for Priority Mail Express Flat Rate packaging, Priority Mail Express prices are based on weight and zone. Items are charged the 0.5-pound price for weights up to 0.5 pound (i.e. If a piece weighs 0.25 pound, the weight (postage) increment is 0.5 pound). Items over a 0.5 pound are rounded up to the next whole pound (i.e. If a piece weighs 0.75 pound, the weight (postage) increment is 1 pound or if a piece weighs 1.2 pounds, the weight (postage) increment is 2 pounds).

Only USPS-produced Flat Rate packaging is eligible for the Priority Mail Express Flat Rate price, and is charged one flat price regardless of weight (up to 70 pounds) or domestic destination.

10:30 a.m. Delivery Fee: An optional fee is charged for a 10:30 a.m. request to have Priority Mail Express items delivered to an addressee within the delivery area of the destination facility where available.

Sunday/Holiday Premium: Delivery guaranteed for a Sunday or a holiday is charged a premium fee. No fee is charged for Sunday/holiday delivery when paying via a Priority Mail Express Manifest Agreement.

Commercial Base Prices (413.1.3): Priority Mail Express commercial base prices are lower than retail prices and are available for:

• Customers using a USPS Corporate Account (USPSCA), including Federal Agency Accounts
• Click-N-Ship customers
• Registered end-users of USPS-approved PC Postage products using a qualifying shipping label
• Customers using USPS-approved Information-based indicia (IBI) postage meters that print the IBI with the appropriate price marking and who electronically transmit transactional data to the USPS and use an approved Priority Mail Express shipping label
• Customers using permit imprint using the Electronic Verification System (eVS) program

Commercial Plus Prices (413.1.4): Priority Mail Express commercial plus prices are lower than commercial base and retail prices and are available to existing and new customers whose account volume exceeds a minimum threshold or who have a customer commitment agreement with the USPS. Commercial plus prices are available for:

• Customers using a USPS Corporate Account (USPSCA), including Federal Agency Accounts
• Customers using USPS-approved IBI postage meters that print the IBI with the appropriate price marking and who electronically transmit transactional data daily to USPS for all mailpieces and categories and use an approved Priority Mail Express shipping label
• Permit imprint using the Electronic Verification System (eVS) program

Content (413.2.0)

All mailable matter may be sent as Priority Mail Express, except matter prohibited by standards (e.g., certain hazardous materials) (601.8.0).

Service Features (413.4.0)

Priority Mail Express is a money-back guaranteed overnight to 2-day service that includes tracking, proof of delivery, and insurance coverage up to $100. Priority Mail Express envelopes and boxes are available from local Post Offices or online at www.usps.com at no additional cost. Customized preprinted labels also are available by contacting your local Post Office.

Overnight guarantee is not available during the December 22 through December 25 time period.

• Priority Mail Express 1-Day Delivery (413.4.2) provides guaranteed overnight service to designated destination 3-digit or 5-digit ZIP Code delivery areas. Items are delivered to an addressee within the designated delivery area of the destination facility by 12:00 p.m. or 3 p.m. on the next day. If delivery is not made, the addressee is notified, and a reminder notice is also left on the third day. A second delivery is attempted only upon customer request. Items may be delivered by 10:30 a.m. for a fee.
• Hold for Pickup (413.4.2.5) items presented for Priority Mail Express 1-Day Delivery are available for claim by the addressee at the destination facility by 10:30 a.m. or 3 p.m. of the next day the destination office is open for retail business.
• Priority Mail Express Military Service (413.1.5) is available between the United States and designated APO/FPO and DPO destination addresses. Shipments are delivered in 2 to 3 days to more than 300 worldwide locations.

There are two Priority Mail Express labels – Label 11-B or Label 11-F. The wording for requesting or waiving a signature, will depend on the version of the label used. Most Post Offices should have labels that were updated in January 2012. However, labels prior to that date may still be used. Labels produced prior to January 2012 will have a "waiver of signature" box to check, while the updated labels will have a "signature required" box to check as follows:

• Waiver of signature (for labels dated prior to January 2012): mailers may instruct the USPS to deliver Priority Mail Express packages without obtaining the addressee's signature by signing the waiver on the Priority Mail Express label. A waiver of signature cannot be used for Priority Mail Express COD or Priority Mail Express with additional insurance.
• Signature required (for labels dated January 2012): mailers requiring a signature must instruct the USPS by checking the "Signature Required" box on the label. A signature is required for Priority Mail Express COD or Priority Mail Express with additional insurance.

Postage Payment and Documentation (414)

Commercial Priority Mail Express postage may be paid by Click-N-Ship (604.4.0), USPS Corporate Account (414.2.0), IBI postage meter (604.4.0), PC Postage (604.4.0), or Permit Imprint (604.5.0).

Mail Preparation (415)

Matter mailed in USPS-produced Priority Mail Express packaging is subject to Priority Mail Express prices regardless of how the packaging is reconfigured or how markings may be obliterated.

When sealing Flat Rate packaging, the container flaps must be able to close within the normal folds. Tape may be applied to the flaps and seams to reinforce the container provided the design of the container is not enlarged by opening the sides, and the container is not reconstructed in any way.

For each commercial Priority Mail Express item, the mailer must complete Label 11-B or Label 11-F, Label 11-HFPU for Hold for Pickup Service, or a single-ply Priority Mail Express label generated through Click-N-Ship or an USPS-approved method.

Each piece should include a complete delivery and return address with the correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code.

All commercial Priority Mail Express pieces must bear an Intelligent Mail package barcode. Mailpieces not meeting the requirements for use of unique Intelligent Mail package barcodes (IMpb) or an extra service IMpb will be assessed an IMpb noncompliance fee as outlined in Publication 199 available on RIBBS at https://ribbs.usps.gov/.

Enter and Deposit (416)

Commercial Priority Mail Express 1-Day and 2-Day items may be mailed at Post Offices, stations, and branches; dropped into Priority Mail Express collection boxes; handed to carriers; or picked up by the USPS.

Acceptance and collection information may be obtained by calling 1-800-222-1811 or contacting your local postmaster.

Open and Distribute shipments: see 705.18.0.

Extra Services (503)

Adult Signature services are available (503.9.0). Return receipt service is available (503.6.0). Collect on Delivery (COD) (503.13.1). Insurance against loss, damage, or rifling is included at no extra cost for coverage up to $100 (503.4.0). Additional merchandise insurance may be available up to $5,000, depending on the value and nature of the item. Claims must be filed within 90 days of the date of mailing (609.1.0).

Back to Top