First Class Mail Priority Mail Standard Mail Special Standard Mail Library Mail Certified Mail Registered Mail

Insured Mail Return Receipts Express Mail International Mail Business Reply Mail Outgoing Personal Mail Incoming Personal Mail

First Class Mail
Any mailable matter may be mailed as first class mail. The following are considered First Class matter and must carry postage at First Class or Priority Mail rates:

• Matter wholly or partially handwritten or type-written, originals or carbons, invoices, and post cards.
• Bills and statements of account, regardless of method of preparation or quantity of identical pieces mailed, except authorized enclosures in or attachments to standard mail.
• Price lists with written-in figures changing items or prices.
• Business reply mail.
• Blank printed forms filled out in writing including canceled or uncancelled checks.

Priority Mail
All first class mail exceeding 11 ounces and not exceeding 70 pounds, and, at the option of the mailer any mail weighing less than 11 ounces, is considered priority mail. This is not a minimum weight limitation. There is a flat rate up to five pounds. Use priority mail when 2 to 3 day service is desired. Please note that priority mail is not insured or trackable. Priority Mail envelopes are available at no charge at the University Mail Center.

Back to the Top

Standard Mail
The following can be mailed at Standard Mail rates:

• Circulars
• Booklets
• Merchandise
• Photographs
• Catalogs
• Newsletters
• Product Samples
• Printed Matter

Back to the Top

Special Standard Mail
Only these items may be mailed at Special Standard Mail Rates:

• Books, including books to supplement other books of at least eight printed pages.
• 16 millimeter or narrower width films which must be positive prints for viewing.
• Printed music, whether in bound or printed form.
• Printed objective test materials and their accessories used by or on behalf of educational institutions to test ability, aptitude, achievement, interests and other mental or personal qualities.
• Sound recordings and guides or scripts prepared solely for use with such recordings.
• Play scripts and manuscripts for books, periodicals and music.
• Printed educational reference charts designed to instruct or train individuals for improving or developing their capabilities.
• Loose-leaf pages and their binders consisting of medical information for distribution to doctors, hospitals, medical schools and medical students.
• Computer readable media containing prerecorded information.

Library Mail
Library Mail is Standard Mail that meets the following regulation:

• Each piece must show, in the address or return address, the name of a school, college, university, public library, museum or herbarium or the name of a non-profit religious, educational, scientific philanthropic, agricultural, labor, veterans and fraternal organizations.

• Books.
• Printed music.
• Bound volumes of academic thesis.
• Periodicals, whether bound or unbound.
• Sound Recordings.
• Other library materials in printed, duplicated, or photographic form.
• Museum materials, specimens, collections, teaching aids, printed matter and interpretive materials for informing and furthering the educational work and interests of museums and herbariums.

Certified Mail

Certified mail provides you with a mailing receipt and a record of delivery is maintained at the recipients post office for two years. A return receipt providing you with proof of delivery can be obtained for an additional fee. Certified mail service is only available for First Class domestic mail. No insurance coverage is provided.

Back to the Top

Registered Mail

The registered mail system is designed to provide added protection for valuable and irreplaceable items. Postage insurance may be purchased. Registered mail is the most secure mail the United States Postal Service offers. It incorporates a system of receipts to monitor registered articles from the point of acceptance to delivery. Return receipt and restricted delivery services are available for additional fees. Added security may delay delivery up to 48 hours.

Back to the Top

Insured Mail

Payment can be obtained for domestic mail that has been lost, rifled or damaged by having it insured. Standard Mail or merchandise mailed at first class rates can be insured up to $5,000. Express Mail includes $500 insurance at no extra charge.

Back to the Top

Return Receipts

A return receipt is a proof of delivery. It is available for insured mail, and with certified, registered and domestic mail shipments. The return receipt identifies the article number, who signed for it and the delivery date.

Back to the Top

Express Mail

Express mail is an expedited delivery service. It reaches all major markets in the US. Express Mail provides for the shipment of letters, documents and other mailable items up to 70 pounds.

Please note: You may purchase prepaid UPS next day air labels from Printing Services at a significant cost savings. These labels are for overnight letters to an address in the contiguous 48 states. This service is with United Parcel Service not the United States Postal Service.

Back to the Top

International Mail

Most items are mailable to foreign countries with certain restrictions. Please contact the mail center to determine the proper classification and documentation. The last line of any foreign address should be the country name spelled out in capital letters.

Back to the Top

Business Reply Mail

All business reply postage and handling charges are billed back to departments. Please be sure to place your department name on the business reply envelope. Generic business reply envelopes are available through Printing Services. Custom business reply pieces or envelopes can be printed through Printing Services at an additional cost.

Back to the Top