113 Prices and Eligibility

1.0 Priority Mail Express Prices and Fees

1.1 Prices Charged Per Piece

[7-28-13] Except for Flat Rate Envelopes (see 1.4), Priority Mail Express postage is charged for each addressed piece according to its weight and zone. The 0.5-pound price is charged for items up to 0.5 pound and items over 0.50 pound are rounded up to the next whole pound. For example, if a piece weighs 0.25 pound, the weight (postage) increment is 0.50 pound; if a piece weighs 0.75 pound, the weight increment is 1 pound; if a piece weighs 1.2 pounds, the weight (postage) increment is 2 pounds.

1.2 Computing Postage

[7-28-13] 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 Priority Mail Express, affix postage to each piece under 114.1.2, Affixing Postage—Single-Piece Mailings.

1.3 Prices

See Notice 123—Price List for applicable Priority Mail Express 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

[7-28-13] 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. 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 a Priority Mail Express 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

[7-28-13] The Pickup on Demand fee is charged every time pickup service is provided, regardless of the number of pieces picked up. See Notice 123—Price List. This service may be combined with Priority Mail, Standard Post, Package Services and international mail pickups. For additional information on Pickup on Demand service see 507.7.0.

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2.0 Basic Eligibility Standards for Priority Mail Express

2.1 Definition

[7-28-13] Priority Mail Express is an expedited service for shipping any mailable matter, with a money-back guarantee, subject to the standards below. Refunds standards for domestic Priority Mail Express Next Day and Second Day Delivery are provided in 604.9.5. Priority Mail Express International is available between the United States and most foreign countries (see the International Mail Manual).

2.2 Matter Closed Against Postal Inspection

[7-28-13] Priority Mail Express matter is closed against postal inspection.

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3.0 Content Standards for Priority Mail Express

3.1 Eligibility

All mailable matter may be sent as Priority Mail Express, 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 Priority Mail Express 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 Priority Mail Express

4.1 General

[7-28-13] A mailing receipt showing the time and date of mailing must be provided to the mailer on acceptance of Priority Mail Express by the USPS. This receipt is a copy of the multipart Priority Mail Express label affixed to the mailpiece and serves as evidence of mailing. A delivery record, including the addressee’s signature (see 115.2.2 and 115.2.3), will be provided upon request. Customers may access proof of delivery information for Priority Mail Express as follows:

a. Individual requests by article number can be retrieved at www.usps.com or by calling 1-800-222-1811 and providing the article number. A proof of delivery letter (signature data) is provided electronically via email or signature extract file as provided in 4.1b..

b. Bulk proof of delivery (503.5.0) is available only to mailers using Priority Mail Express Manifesting service and is obtained in a signature extract file format.

4.2 Priority Mail Express Next Day Delivery

4.2.1 Availability

Priority Mail Express Next Day Delivery is available at designated USPS facilities, designated Priority Mail Express 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. A Priority Mail Express Next Day Delivery directory, showing detailed local information about Priority Mail Express Next Day Delivery, is available at Post Offices.

4.2.3 Acceptance

Priority Mail Express Next Day Delivery items must be presented no later than the times authorized by the postmaster. Priority Mail Express 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.

4.3 Priority Mail Express Second Day Delivery

4.3.1 Availability

Priority Mail Express 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

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

4.3.3 Acceptance Times

Priority Mail Express 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.

4.4 Priority Mail Express Military Service (PMEMS)

4.4.1 Objectives

[7-28-13] For Priority Mail Express Military Service (PMEMS), 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 PMEMS, the USPS refunds standards are provided in 604.9.5.

4.4.2 Availability

[7-28-13] PMEMS (under 703.2.6) 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. PMEMS Custom Designed Service and PMEMS Open and Distribute 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 Priority Mail Express Open and Distribute

Priority Mail Express 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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