210 Commercial Mail Priority Mail Express
Overview
1.0 Prices and Fees
2.0 Content Standards for Priority Mail Express
3.0 Basic Eligibility Standards for Priority Mail Express
4.0 Service Features of Priority Mail Express
Except for Flat Rate Envelopes (see 1.6), 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. Priority Mail Express items mailed under a specific customer agreement are charged according to the individual agreement.
When determining single-piece weight, express all weights in decimal pounds rounded off to two decimal places (except mailers using eVS). When using a manifest mailing system, the manifest weight field must be properly completed by adhering to the rules relative to the specific manifest.
Priority Mail Express commercial prices are less than Priority Mail Express retail prices (see Notice 123—Price List). These prices are available to:
- USPS Click-N-Ship customers.
- Registered end-users of USPS-approved PC Postage providers when using a qualifying shipping label managed by the PC Postage system used.
- Customers using USPS-approved IBI postage meters that print the IBI with the appropriate price marking (see 202.3.3) and transactional data is electronically transmitted daily to USPS for all mailpieces and mail categories with an approved Priority Mail Express shipping label.
- Customers who pay postage with a permit imprint using the Electronic Verification System (eVS) program to document and pay postage (see 705.2.9).
1.4 [7-14-24] Dimensional Weight Price for Low-Density Parcels
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 1.4.2 or 1.4.3), whichever is greater.
Follow these steps to determine the dimensional weight for a rectangular parcel:
- Measure the length, width, and height in inches. Round off (see 604.7.0) each measurement to the nearest whole inch.
- Multiply the length by the width by the height.
- 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.
- If the dimensional weight exceeds 70 pounds, the customer pays the 70-pound price.
Follow these steps to determine the dimensional weight for a nonrectangular parcel:
- 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.
- Multiply the length by the width by the height.
- Multiply the result by an adjustment factor of 0.785.
- 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.
- If the dimensional weight exceeds 70 pounds, the customer pays the 70-pound price.
Shipping Services file manifests or other approved electronic documentation must include the accurate dimensions (length, width, height) of all pieces that exceed 1 cubic foot. Mailers of pieces exceeding 1 cubic foot and with Shipping Services file manifests, or other approved electronic documentation, that do not meet the requirement to include the piece’s accurate dimensions will be assessed the Dimension Noncompliance fee under 1.9.
Only USPS-produced or approved Flat Rate Envelopes are eligible for the Flat Rate price, and only customers when using them are charged a flat rate, regardless of the domestic destination or actual weight (up to 70 pounds) of the mailpiece. Customers must only use USPS-produced Flat Rate Envelopes at the applicable Flat Rate Envelope price. Restrictions apply for using USPS-produced packaging (see 601.6.1).
When delivery is guaranteed for a Sunday or holiday, a premium fee is required (see Notice 123—Price List). Customers not desiring delivery on a Sunday or a holiday may avoid the premium by opting for guaranteed delivery on the subsequent delivery day.
1.7 [1-21-24] Unmanifested Fee
[1-21-24] Eligible Priority Mail Express pieces omitted from the manifest are subject to the unmanifested fee (see Notice 123—Price List), unless the piece is subject to the IMpb noncompliance fee specified in 3.2.
Except for Priority Mail Express Return service, a Priority Mail Express piece is subject to a nonstandard fee (see Notice 123—Price List) as follows:
- A piece measures more than 22 inches up to 30 inches long.
- A piece measures more than 30 inches long.
- A piece measures more than 2 cubic feet (3,456 cubic inches). Dimensions for rectangular pieces are determined by measuring the length, width, and height in inches, rounding off (see 604.7.0) each measurement to the nearest whole inch and multiplying the length by the width by the height. Dimensions for nonrectangular pieces are calculated as above and the result multiplied by an adjustment factor of 0.785. If either calculation exceeds 3,456 cubic inches, the piece is subject to the nonstandard fee.
- A piece may be subject to both a length (1.9a, 1.9b) and a cube (1.9c) nonstandard fee.
- Shipping Services file manifests or other approved electronic documentation must include the accurate dimensions (length, width, height) of all pieces that exceed 22 inches.
- Mailers of pieces exceeding 22 inches and with Shipping Services file manifests, or other approved electronic documentation, that do not meet the requirement to include the piece’s accurate dimensions will be assessed the Dimension Noncompliance fee under 1.9.
Mailers of Priority Mail Express mailpieces required to include the mailpiece dimensions (length, width, height) in the Shipping Services file manifest or other approved electronic documentation under 1.8 will be charged the Dimension Noncompliance fee (see Notice 123—Price List) if the piece’s dimensions are omitted or inaccurate in the Shipping Services file manifest or other approved electronic documentation. A mailpiece is subject to only one Dimension Noncompliance fee.
All mailable matter may be sent via Priority Mail Express, except matter prohibited by standards (e.g., certain hazardous materials). Items mailed containing cremated remains in their original form (ashes) and any other form (e.g., keepsakes and jewelry) must be sent via Priority Mail Express. (See Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail, section 451.22).
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 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).
[1-21-24] All Priority Mail Express pieces (outbound and returns) must bear an Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb) prepared under 204.2.0, unless inducted through a retail transaction or a USPS self-service kiosk, or bearing postage meter imprints and using Label 11-B. Unless otherwise excepted, mailers of mailpieces not meeting the requirements for use of unique Intelligent Mail package barcodes or extra services barcodes, as outlined in section 204.2.1.8 and Publication 199, Intelligent Mail Package Barcode (IMpb) Implementation Guide for: Confirmation Services and Electronic Payment Systems, will be assessed an IMpb noncompliance fee. For details see PostalPro at https://postalpro.usps.com.
3.3 [4-1-24] Inspection of Contents
Priority Mail Express matter is sealed against postal inspection.
A mailing receipt showing the time and date of mailing must be provided to the mailer on retail acceptance of Priority Mail Express by USPS. This receipt serves as evidence of mailing. Mailers authorized to present Priority Mail Express under Priority Mail Express Manifesting procedures in 705.2.0 must use a 1-ply label and retain the verification manifest as the mailing receipt. Mailers using an online application to create their Priority Mail Express label must retain the customer online record or shipping history as evidence of mailing. A delivery record, including the addressee’s signature (see 215.2.2 and 215.2.3), will be faxed or mailed upon request.
- 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.
- Bulk proof of delivery (503.1.8b.) is available to mailers using Priority Mail Express Manifesting.
Priority Mail Express 1-Day Delivery is available at designated USPS facilities for overnight service to designated 3-digit or 5-digit destination ZIP Code delivery areas. A Priority Mail Express 1-Day Delivery directory, showing detailed local information about Priority Mail Express 1–Day Delivery, is available at Post Offices. For an additional option, see 4.2.4.
Priority Mail Express 1-Day Delivery items must be presented no later than the local Post Office acceptance time. Priority Mail Express 1-Day Delivery items mailed after the local Post Office acceptance time are scheduled for delivery on the second day after mailing, subject to the standards for this service.
Except for items endorsed “Guaranteed by End of Day” per an approved customer agreement, items are delivered by 6 p.m. on the next delivery day. If delivery is not made, the addressee is notified. A reminder notice is left on the third day after the attempted delivery. A second delivery is attempted only upon customer request.
Except for Priority Mail Express mailpieces containing cremated remains, under Hold for Pickup service, items presented under 4.2 are available for pickup by the addressee at the destination facility by 6 p.m. of the next day that the destination office is open for retail business.
Priority Mail Express 2-Day Delivery is available to any destination not listed in the Priority Mail Express 1-Day Delivery directory mentioned in 4.2.1. For an additional option, see 4.3.4.
Priority Mail Express 2-Day Delivery items must be presented no later than the local Post Office acceptance time. Priority Mail Express 2-Day Delivery items mailed after the local Post Office acceptance time are scheduled for delivery on the third day after mailing, subject to the standards for this service.
Items are delivered by 6 p.m. on the second delivery day. If delivery is not made, the addressee is notified. A reminder notice is left on the third day after the attempted delivery. A second delivery is attempted only upon customer request.
Except for Priority Mail Express mailpieces containing cremated remains, under Hold for Pickup service, items presented under 4.3 are available for pickup by the addressee at the destination facility by 6 p.m. of the second delivery day that the destination office is open for retail business.
Priority Mail Express Military Service (PMEMS) 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 and FPO mailing privileges, an expedited delivery service to or from the United States. PMEMS Open and Distribute service is available to authorized APO/FPO destinations. For PMEMS standards see 703.2.0.
Priority Mail Express 1-Day Delivery and Priority Mail Express 2-Day Delivery may be used to expedite movement of any other class of mail from one domestic USPS facility to another by Priority Mail Express Open and Distribute subject to the standards in 705.18.0.
