212 Eligibility

Note: Global Express Guaranteed service is suspended as of September 29, 2024.

212.1 General — All Global Express Guaranteed Shipments

Documents and general correspondence (nondutiable items) and non–documents (all dutiable items including merchandise) may be shipped using Global Express Guaranteed service. Mailers must certify that the shipment does not contain any restricted or dangerous goods prohibited by the destination country or postal regulations and does not require the filing of Electronic Export Information (EEI), formerly known as the Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED). The maximum value of a Global Express Guaranteed document or non-document shipment is $2,499 or a lesser amount as limited by country, content, or value. The sender is responsible for determining if the item is allowable despite any statement made on a USPS website, or by a Postal Service employee or the Postal Service’s agents.

212.2 Customs Forms Required

PS Form 6182, Commercial Invoice, is required for certain commodities and destinations.

212.3 Mail Sealed Against Inspection

Global Express Guaranteed mailpieces containing only documents are sealed against inspection. Global Express Guaranteed mailpieces containing non-documents are not sealed against inspection. Regardless of physical closure, the mailing of Global Express Guaranteed mailpieces containing non-documents constitutes consent by the mailer to inspection of the contents.

212.4 Inquiries, Service Guarantees, Postage Refunds, and Indemnity

212.41 Service Guarantee

The Postal Service guarantees delivery within the service standards, or the sender may be entitled to a full refund of the postage paid. For the purpose of the money-back guarantee, the date and time of delivery, attempted delivery, or availability for delivery constitutes delivery.

212.42 Transit Days for Shipments

Transit days are available from participating Post Office facilities and online though Click-N-Ship service. Total transit days for Global Express Guaranteed service may be affected by factors beyond the Postal Service’s control, which may include but are not limited to the following:

  1. General customs delays.
  2. Specific customs commodity delays.
  3. Holidays observed in the destinating country.
212.43 Inquiries

Make inquiries concerning the delivery of Global Express Guaranteed items by calling 800-222-1811 or through the Postal Service Web site at usps.com/shipping/trackandconfirm.htm.

212.44 Postage Refunds

Postage may be refunded for a shipment accepted at a participating Post Office facility by the specified deposit time and not delivered to the recipient by the delivery date as shown on the mailer’s receipt. In accordance with the money-back guarantee standards, a refund request may be filed if the carrier at the destination country does not deliver the shipment, does not attempt to deliver the shipment, or does not make the shipment available on or before close of business in the local time zone in the delivery location. To request a refund or obtain details on how to file a claim, contact a customer service representative at 800-222-1811 — the Global Express Guaranteed customer service office is responsible for adjudicating a refund request for Global Express Guaranteed service. The original receipt or a copy of the Global Express Guaranteed Air Waybill (shipping label) may be required for a postage refund. Requests for postage refunds must be made no later than 30 days from the date of mailing. The signature of the recipient or recipient’s agent is required upon delivery of the refund. The money-back guarantee does not apply to shipments to post office box addresses acceptable for delivery.

212.45 Global Express Guaranteed Insurance and Indemnity

Document reconstruction insurance (the reasonable costs incurred in reconstructing duplicates of nonnegotiable documents mailed) and non-document insurance for loss or damage up to $100 per shipment are included at no additional charge. (See the Individual Country Listings for availability.) Additional insurance may be purchased for document and non-document shipments (see 212.5). The total cost of document reconstruction or for insurance purchased for non-documents cannot exceed $2,499 or a lesser amount as limited by country, content, or value. Coverage, terms, and limitations are subject to change.

212.46 Indemnity Claims

If a shipment is lost or damaged, the sender may file a claim for document reconstruction costs (for document items) or for the declared value of the shipment costs (for non-document items). The sender must submit all claims within 30 days of the shipment date by contacting a customer service representative at 800-222-1811. The sender must submit all supporting documentation within 9 months of the mailing date. The representative provides more details on how to file a claim. The original receipt or a copy of the Global Express Guaranteed Air Waybill (shipping label) may be required when filing a claim. The Global Express Guaranteed customer service office is responsible for adjudicating a claim for Global Express Guaranteed service. Contact the Global Express Guaranteed customer service office at 800-222-1811. The Postal Service makes the final approval and payment.

212.47 Liability for Lost or Damaged Contents

Unless additional insurance is purchased, liability for a lost or damaged Global Express Guaranteed shipment is limited to the lowest of the following:

  1. $100.
  2. The actual amount of the loss or damage.
  3. The actual value of the contents.

“Actual value” means the lowest cost of replacing, reconstructing, or reconstituting the allowable contents of the shipment (determined at the time and place of acceptance).

212.5 Extra Services — Insurance

Additional insurance coverage above $100, up to a maximum of $2,499 may be purchased at the sender’s option. Amounts vary by country, content, or value. Coverage, terms, and limitations are subject to change. See the Individual Country Listings for insurance limits. See Notice 123, Price List, for the fee schedule for optional Global Express Guaranteed document reconstruction insurance or non-document insurance coverage.