USPS Service Detail

ShipRush Endicia offers the following U.S. Postal Service shipping services:

Domestic Parcel Services:

• USPS First Class Parcel

• USPS Priority

• USPS Media Mail

• USPS Parcel Post

• USPS Express Mail

ShipRush provides cheaper postage than going to the post office. Priority and Express Mail shipments receive the electronic discount. This makes shipments processed with ShipRush typically 3%-5% cheaper than walking into a post office.

ShipRush provides FREE Delivery Confirmation on all Priority Mail shipments. For other services, ShipRush provides the lowest cost Delivery Confirmation available from the Postal Service (just $0.19). With ShipRush, Signature Confirmation is also cheaper than walking into a post office: Just $1.75 in ShipRush ($2.10 at the post office).

Domestic Letter Service:

• USPS First Class Letter / Postcard / Flat (Note, the "tracking number" for these services is only used for Endicia's internal refund tracking system so you can request a refund for postage printed but not used. The Postal Service does not offer Delivery Confirmation for Letter Post)

The Postal Service does not offer Delivery Confirmation on First Class letter post. While there is a "Mailpiece ID" or "tracking number" associated with each piece of First Class Letter post, the mailpiece is not trackable in any way.

First Class Letter post is not included in the SCAN form.

International Parcel Services:

• First Class International (aka FCI and FCMI)

• USPS Priority

• USPS Express

International shipments with ShipRush receive the USPS Online Discount: 5% off when shipping Priority International and 8% off Express International.

Delivery Confirmation (aka DC)

What is Delivery Confirmation?

From www.usps.com:

"Verify delivery with Delivery Confirmation. Our low cost Delivery Confirmation service gives you the date, ZIP Code™ and time your article was delivered. If delivery was attempted you will get the date and time of attempted delivery..." (Full explanation here.)

The Postal Service does not offer DC on letter post (letters, postcards and flats). All ShipRush-processed parcels automatically have DC.

ShipRush generated parcel shipments qualify for the electronic DC rate, which is free for Priority Mail and only $0.19 for First Class parcels (at the post office it is $0.65 - $0.75).

For parcel shipments, ShipRush always includes DC. This is by design and cannot be disabled or turned off.

What is a the difference between First Class Letter post and First Class Parcel post? This matters, because to get DC on a First Class mailpiece, it must be a parcel. To qualify as a parcel, at least one of these general rules should be true:

• Item is at least 3/4" thick

• Item is in a box

• Item is rigid (e.g. does not bend), if it is thinner than 3/4"

In other words, it is not permissible to take a #10 envelope, put a piece of paper in it, and mail it as a First Class Parcel. (That is what a Priority Mail Envelope is for!)

First Class Letter Post Rules

These rules are general guidelines only. Please refer to the relevant USPS documentation for authoritative rules and procedures. Note that all rules and guidelines are subject to change. The USPS periodically revises its rates and terms.

To Qualify as a Letter:

• Max 1/4" thick
• Max 3.5 oz weight
• May be flexible OR rigid
• Minimum size limit: 5" long, 3.5" tall, Max size : 11.5" x 6.125"
• Note: CD's in a mailer (like netflix) are OK for First Class Letter post, even if they are rigid, if they conform to the other rules above.
  • HOWEVER, if item is rigid, then it is "non machinable" and there is a $0.20 charge for non-machinable.

• Non-machinable qualifications (for the full list, please see the DMM http://pe.usps.gov/text/dmm300/101.htm#wp1005674)

1. Enclosed in plastic or closed with clasps, strings, buttons, etc
2. Unevenly shaped - i.e. pens...
3. Too rigid - doesn't bend under 40 lbs around an 11" diameter turn
4. Delivery address is parallel to the short side
5. Length divided by height < 1.3 or > 2.5
6. If more than 4.25" high or 6" long - the thickness is less than .009"
7. Self mailer folded perpendicular to the address
8. Booklet piece with a bound edge

First Class FLATs

• Max thickness - 3/4", Minimum thickness 1/4"
• Minimum size: 11.5" x 6.125" Max size 15" x 12"
• Rigidity test: If item is completely rigid it does not qualify for FLAT pricing, and must go as a parcel.
• Uniform thickness
• Max weight is 13 oz (first class) price is per weight