113 Prices and Eligibility

1.0 Express Mail Prices and Fees

1.1 Prices Charged Per Piece

Express Mail postage is charged for each addressed piece according to its weight and zone. Flat Rate Envelopes and Boxes are charged under 1.4.

1.2 Price Application

Except under 1.4, Express Mail items are charged the 0.5-pound price for items up to 0.5 pound. Items over 0.5 pound are rounded up to the next whole pound. For example, if a piece weighs 0.25 pound, the weight (postage) increment is 0.5 pound; if a piece weighs 0.75 pound, the weight (postage) increment is 1 pound; if a piece weighs 1.2 pounds, the weight (postage) increment is 2 pounds.

1.3 Prices

See Notice 123—Price List for applicable Express Mail retail prices. Commercial base prices are available when postage is paid through Click-N-Ship service at usps.com or by registered end-users of PC Postage using a qualifying shipping label managed by the PC Postage system.

1.4 Flat Rate Packaging

1.4.1 Flat Rate Packaging—Eligibility

Only USPS-produced or approved Flat Rate Envelopes and Boxes are eligible for the Flat Rate price and are charged a flat rate, regardless of the actual weight (up to 70 pounds) of the mailpiece or domestic destination. When sealing a Flat Rate Envelope or Box, 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.

1.4.2 Flat Rate Envelopes—Price Eligibility

There are three types of USPS-produced Express Mail Flat Rate Envelopes: A regular-size envelope, a legal-size envelope, and a padded envelope. Each type of USPS-produced Express Mail Flat Rate Envelope is priced at a flat rate regardless of the actual weight (up to 70 pounds) of the mailpiece or domestic destination. See Notice 123—Price List for prices.

1.4.3 Flat Rate Boxes—Price Eligibility

Each USPS-produced Express Mail Flat Rate Box is priced at a flat rate regardless of the actual weight (up to 70 pounds) of the mailpiece or domestic destination. See Notice 123—Price List for prices.

1.5 Sunday and Holiday Premium

Delivery guaranteed for a Sunday or holiday is charged a premium fee (see Notice 123—Price List), unless paying via an Express Mail Manifesting Agreement. Customers not desiring delivery on a Sunday or a holiday may avoid the premium by opting for guaranteed delivery on the subsequent delivery day.

1.6 Pickup on Demand

1.6.1 Pickup on Demand Fee

See Notice 123—Price List for fee per occurrence. This service may be combined with Priority Mail, Package Services, and international mail pickups (see 507.7.0).

1.6.2 Pickup on Demand Service

The Pickup on Demand fee is charged every time pickup service is provided, regardless of the number of pieces picked up, as described in 507.7.0.

1.7 Computing Postage

For each addressed mailpiece, determine single-piece price based on weight and zone under 1.1; express all weights in decimal pounds rounded off to two decimal places. For Express Mail, affix postage to each piece under 114.1.2, Affixing Postage—Single-Piece Mailings.

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2.0 Basic Eligibility Standards for Express Mail

2.1 Definition

Express Mail is an expedited service for shipping any mailable matter, with guaranteed delivery, subject to the standards below. Express Mail International is available between the United States and most foreign countries (see the International Mail Manual).

2.2 Matter Closed Against Postal Inspection

Matter closed against postal inspection includes First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, and Express Mail. The USPS may open mail other than First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, or Express Mail to determine whether the proper 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, Priority Mail or Express Mail price.

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3.0 Content Standards for Express Mail

3.1 Eligibility

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

3.2 Matter Required to be Mailed as First-Class Mail

Mailers have the option to use Express Mail service for mailpieces required to be mailed as First-Class Mail or Priority Mail. Complete descriptions of matter requiring the use of First-Class Mail are provided in 133.3.0.

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4.0 Service Features of Express Mail

4.1 General

Customers may access delivery information at www.usps.com or by calling 1-800-222-1811 toll-free and providing the article number. A delivery record, including the addressee’s signature, will be faxed or mailed upon request. See 115.2.2 for more information regarding the addressee’s signature.

4.2 Express Mail Next Day Delivery

4.2.1 Availability

Express Mail Next Day Delivery is available at designated USPS facilities, designated Express Mail collection boxes, or through Package Pickup or Pickup on Demand service, for overnight service to designated 3-digit or 5-digit destination ZIP Code delivery areas, facilities, or locations (Post Office to Addressee Service). For an additional option, see 4.2.5, Hold for Pickup.

4.2.2 Where Not Available

Next Day Delivery may not be available at or between all Post Offices or at all times of deposit. An Express Mail Next Day Delivery directory, showing detailed local information about Express Mail Next Day Delivery, is available at Post Offices.

4.2.3 Acceptance

Express Mail Next Day Delivery items must be presented no later than the times authorized by the postmaster. Express Mail Next Day Delivery items mailed after the time authorized by the postmaster are accepted for delivery on the second day after mailing, subject to the standards for this service.

4.2.4 Delivery Times

Items are delivered by noon or 3 p.m. on the next day. If delivery is not made, the addressee is notified; a reminder notice is also left on the third day. A second delivery is attempted only upon customer request.

4.2.5 Hold for Pickup

Under Hold for Pickup service, items presented under 4.2.1 are available for claim by the addressee at the destination facility by 10 a.m., 12 p.m., or 3 p.m. of the next day the destination office is open for retail business.

4.2.6 Refunds

For Express Mail Next Day Delivery, the USPS refunds the postage for an item not available for customer pickup at destination or for which delivery to the addressee was not attempted, subject to the standards for this service, unless the delay was caused by one of the situations in 114.2.0, Postage Refunds.

4.3 Express Mail Second Day Delivery

4.3.1 Availability

Express Mail Second Day Delivery is available to any 3-digit or 5-digit ZIP Code destination not listed in the Next Day Delivery directory mentioned in 4.2.2 (Post Office to Addressee Service). Items are delivered to the addressee by noon or 3 p.m. on the second delivery day. If delivery is not made, the addressee is notified, a second notice is left on the third day, and a second delivery is attempted upon customer request. For an additional option, see 4.3.4, Hold for Pickup.

4.3.2 Acceptance

Express Mail Second Day Delivery is accepted at designated USPS facilities, at Express Mail collection boxes, and through Pickup on Demand service.

4.3.3 Acceptance Times

Express Mail Second Day Delivery shipments must be presented by 5 p.m., or such later time authorized by the postmaster. For Second Day Delivery, the USPS refunds postage for an item not available for customer pickup or for which delivery was not attempted, subject to the standards for this service, unless the item was:

a. Delayed by strike or work stoppage.

b. Made available for claim, or delivery was attempted within the times specified by the standards for this service, and then the item was delayed because forwarding or return service was provided.

4.3.4 Hold for Pickup

Under Hold for Pickup service, items presented under 4.3.3 are available for pick up by the addressee at the destination facility by 10 a.m., 12 p.m., or 3 p.m. of the second delivery day that the destination office is open for retail business.

4.3.5 Refunds

For Express Mail Second Day Delivery, the USPS refunds the postage for an item not available for customer pickup at destination or for which delivery to the addressee was not attempted, subject to the standards for this service, unless the delay was caused by one of the situations in 114.2.0, Postage Refunds.

4.4 Express Mail Military Service (EMMS)

4.4.1 Objectives

For Express Mail Military Service (EMMS), items presented at APO/FPO and DPO facilities before the published cut-off time are delivered the second day after acceptance. Items presented after the published cut-off time are delivered the third day after acceptance. For EMMS, the USPS refunds postage for an item not available for customer pickup at the APO/FPO or DPO address or for which delivery to the addressee was not attempted domestically within the times specified by the standards for this service, unless the item was delayed by Customs; the item was destined for an APO/FPO or DPO that was closed on the intended day of delivery (delivery is attempted the next business day); or the delay was caused by one of the situations in 114.2.0, Postage Refunds.

4.4.2 Availability

EMMS (under 703.2.6, Express Mail Military Service (EMMS)) is available between the United States and designated APO/FPO and DPOs to provide Department of Defense personnel stationed overseas, and others entitled to APO/FPO and DPO mailing privileges, an expedited delivery service to or from the United States. EMMS Custom Designed Service and EMMS drop shipment service are available to authorized APO/FPO and DPO destinations.

4.5 Custom Designed

Custom Designed mailings are only available at commercial prices under 413.4.4.

4.6 Express Mail Open and Distribute

Express Mail Open and Distribute provides an alternative for mailers who want to expedite mailings of other classes of mail to destination postal facilities, subject to the corresponding standards. See 705.18.0.

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