United States Postal Service

United States Postal Service (USPS) is the United States government organization responsible for providing postal service in the United States. It is the result of the mandate for post offices by the United States Constitution. Originally a cabinet department, it was later converted to a government-owned corporation. Competition from private operations such as United Parcel Service and FedEx has caused USPS to adjust its business strategy and to modernize its products and services.

Being the only mail carrier that delivers to all addresses in the United States, United States Postal Service is also a symbol of the United States in many rural areas. First-Class Mail, starting at 37 cents, is still the least expensive and most universal method to send a letter in the US.

Major products and services

First Class Mail

The normal mail service used by individuals and business sending a small amount of mail. One rate regardless of distance.

Letters: The cost to send a letter weighing up to 1 ounce is 37 cents.
Sending a postcard costs 23 cents.
Packages weighing up to 13 ounces can be sent.
Best effort delivery including return service for undeliverable mail.
Forwarding service: With a change of address, mail coming to the old address will be sent to the new address for up to 12 months.
Available to anyone.
Recommendations (but no enforced rules) about mailpiece quality and addressing.
Mail is picked up at customer's house or place of business, or can be dropped in any public mail collection box.
Delivery to every address in the United States

Standard Mail

Used mainly for businesses.

Minimum 200 pieces per mailing
Must weigh less than 16 ounces
No return service unless requested (an additional fee is charged for return service)
Not for personal correspondence, letters, bills, or statements
Annual fee

Bulk Mail

Used for businesses to send large quantities of mail.

Can be First Class or Standard Mail
Discounted rates
Permit required
Enforced rules about mailpiece quality and addressing.
May require additional work by the sender, such as pre-sorting by zip code.
Mail must usually be brought to a postal facility.

Parcel Post

Used to send packages weighing up to 70 pounds

Rates based on distance, weight, and shape
Delivery to every address in the United States

Media Mail

Used to send books, printed materials, sound recordings, videotapes, CD-ROMs, diskettes, and similar, but cannot contain advertising. Maximum weight is 70 pounds.

Rates based on weight
Much cheaper than Parcel Post, but sometimes slower

Priority Mail

Priority Mail is an expedited mail service with a few additional features.

Average delivery time is 2-3 days (but this is NOT guaranteed, may take much longer)
Flat rate envelope available (one rate for whatever you put in the envelope)
Packages up to 70 pounds.
Label can be printed online
Delivery to every address in the United States

Express Mail

Express Mail is the fastest mail service.

Typically overnight or second-day delivery
Flat rate envelope available
Packages up to 50 pounds
Delivery to most addresses in the United States
Guaranteed on-time delivery
Sunday and holiday delivery

Money Orders

Provide safe alternative to sending cash through the mail
Money orders are cashable only by the recipient, like a bank check

Global Priority and Global Express Mail

Expedited and express service to several countries.

Airline Division

The United States Postal Service also operates an airline division, which it uses to carry mail as well as packages across the United States daily. The USPS airline division's fleet consists of Boeing 727 jets, many of which are leased from other cargo airlines.

Add-on Services

Delivery Confirmation

Confirms delivery of package
Detailed package [tracking] is not included, but information is sometimes available
Results available online or telephone
Only available with First Class Mail, Priority Mail, and Package Services (Media Mail, Parcel Post, and Bound Printed Matter)

Signature Confirmation

Confirms delivery with signature
Recipient's signature is kept on file
Only available with First Class Mail, Priority Mail, and Package Services (Media Mail, Parcel Post, and Bound Printed Matter)

Insurance

Provides package with [insurance] from loss or damage while in transit
Available for amounts up to $5,000
Covers material losses only minus depreciation

Certified Mail

Provides proof of mailing, and a delivery record
Available for First Class Mail and Priority Mail

Registered Mail

Provides mailing receipt, delivery record, and protection for valuables
Available for Priority Mail and First Class Mail

Collect On Delivery (C.O.D.)

Allows merchants to offer customers a chance to pay upon delivery
Insurance comes included with fee
Amount to be collected cannot exceed $1,000
Available for First-Class Mail, Express Mail, Priority Mail, and Package Services (Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, and Media Mail)

Postage Stamps

Copyright and Reproduction

All US postage stamps and other postage items that were released before 1978 are in the public domain. After this time they are copyright by the postal service under Title 17 of the United States Code. The Domestic Mail Manual (D013) allows the use of stamps and other philatelic items in editorial content, in audio-visual productions, for advertising purposes and for philatelic catalogs.

PC Postage

In addition to using standard stamps, postage can now be printed from a Personal computer using a system called Information Based Indicia. Authorized providers of PC Postage are:

Sponsorships

For a number of years, the US Postal Service has been head sponsor of a professional cycling team, bearing its name. The team features Lance Armstrong, winner of the Tour de France from 1999 to 2003. The sponsorship ends in 2004, and the Discovery Channel has stepped in as the main sponsor after that, with the team to be renamed the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team.

Postal Inspection Service

The United States Postal Inspection Service is the oldest federal law enforcement agency in the USA. It originated in 1772, when colonial Postmaster General Benjamin Franklin appointed a surveyor or special agent to regulate and audit the mails – 4 years before the Declaration of Independence.

As Franklin was Postmaster under the Continental Congress and was Washington’s first Postmaster, his system continued. By 1830, the special agents had grown to become the Office of Instructions and Mail Depredations.

USPIS investigates mail related crimes. This is not just theft of sending illegal material, but includes attacks on letter carriers; since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the USPIS has also investigated several cases of ricin, Anthrax and other toxic substances being sent through the mail.

In addition to plain-clothes inspectors there is the uniformed Postal Police Officers guarding postal facilities, escorting high-value mail shipments, and performing protective functions.

The Postal Inspection Service operates four forensic crime laboratories, including forensic scientists and technical specialists so that the service can be an entirely independent agency enforcing more than 200 federal postal laws.