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First Class Mail
All mailable matter may
be sent as first-class mail up to, and including,
12 ounces. In addition, the following items
must be mailed as first-class or express mail:
- Matter wholly or partially in writing or
typewriting.
- Matter closed against postal inspection.
- Matter having the character of actual personal
correspondence.
- Bills, grade reports, and statements of
account.
Priority Mail
All first-class mail exceeding
12 ounces, but not exceeding 70 pounds, is considered
priority mail. Delivery of other classes of
mail weighing less than 12 ounces can be expedited
by paying priority rates and sending as priority
mail.
Periodicals (Formerly
known as Second Class Mail)
Periodicals are generally
prepared by printers and publishers and used
for the distribution of class bulletins, magazines
and newspapers.
Standard Mail
(A) (Formerly known as Third Class
Mail)
Standard Mail (A) is printed
matter, merchandise, or other mailable material
which weighs less than 16 ounces and not subject
to first-class rates. Standard Mail (A) includes
mechanically duplicated materials (i.e., copied
or quick copied letters or announcements) as
long as the material is not personalized and
the signature is duplicated.
Standard Mail (A)
(Non-Profit) or (Pre-sort Standard)
This class of mail generates
a savings of approximately 15 cents per letter
over first-class rates, but delivery time is
longer on this type of mail. There are, however,
a number of requirements which the sending department
must meet before bulk mailings can qualify for
this discount. These are:
- 200 or more identical pieces
must be mailed at one time.
Different sizes, shapes, or even different
folds are not permissible
in the same mailing. All pieces must be identical
for bulk mailing.
- Each article must have either the non-profit
or presorted
standard indicia in position where stamp would
be.
Rubber stamps are available through the campus
bookstore.
- Only addresses in the United States can
go Standard Mail (A) bulk; NO FOREIGN MAIL.
A complete campus return address is required.
- Articles must be divided by city, area distribution
center (ADC) or ZIP code as shown in item
No. 5. Each bundle must be secured by heavy
rubber bands both ways. Deviation from these
sortings may delay mailing and any serious
infraction will result in the Mobile Post
Office returning the entire mailing.
All standard mail (Bulk) must be sealed
before presenting it for mailing.
- HOW TO BREAK DOWN STANDARD MAIL (BULK):
(a supply of labels will be furnished by the
University Post
Office - appropriate label goes on top of
each bundle, bottom left hand corner.)
| D |
DIRECT |
Ten
or more, all for exact same five digit
ZIP code number. Mail pieces weighing
10 oz. or more should not have more
than 5 pieces per bundle.
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| 3 |
SCF |
Ten
or more with same first three ZIP code
numbers, last two numbers of ZIP code
different, and towns different (like
Semmes, Fairhope, etc.)
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| A |
ADC |
Ten
or more for same ADC, but not
enough for a D or 3 package. A 3 page
listing of ADC is available from the
USA Post Office.
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| MS |
MIXED
STATES |
Where
there are less than ten for any one
unit, but not enough for a D, 3, or
ADC package. |
- Do not make bundles any larger than you
can hold in one hand. Mailings should be brought
or sent to the USA Post Office all facing
one direction, in boxes or bags, showing on
the top of each bundle the number of pieces
in the bundle, with a note showing the exact
total number of pieces in the mailing and
the account number to be charged.
- Savings are available through bulk mailings
when local delivery requirement is not expected
within 5 delivery days, and longer for out
of town. However, the U.S. Postal Service
requirements for preparing mail are very specific
and must be followed very closely. There are
also new rules regarding advertising included
in non-profit mail. Please check with us before
deciding on the contents of your mailings.
For this and any other assistance regarding
postal services, please call the USA Post
Office at (251) 414-8191.
- If any department decides to use a local
mailing service to prepare their mailings,
please inform the mailing service to let us
know before the mail is presented to the U.S.
Postal Service. We need to know this in order
to have the funds available on deposit with
the U.S. Postal Service. We do not want your
mail to be delayed because of lack of money
available.
Standard Mail (B)
(Formerly known as Fourth Class Mail)
Parcel Post
- Standard Mail (B) parcel post matter, merchandise,
or other mailable matter which weighs 16 ounces
or more.
Library Rate
- Library rate is the most economical Standard
Mail (B) rate and is intended to serve libraries
mailing books on loan. The rate, however, can
be used by departments for certain other limited
educational materials such as films, recording
tapes and other prescribed audio-visual materials,
scientific, instructional kits, and museum and
herbarium materials.
Media Mail
- (Book Rate) may be used for books or printed
matter.
Specialized Mailing
Features
Each of the following specialized
U.S. Postal Service mailing features upgrades
the service which a piece of mail receives.
When these features are used, the additional
costs will be charged to your departmental postal
budget.
Certified
Mail - Certified mail provides the sender
with a receipt and record of delivery is kept
at the addressee's post office. It is designed
for items having no intrinsic value such as
letters, files, records, etc., that are sent
as first-class mail. No insurance coverage is
provided. A return receipt to provide the sender
proof of delivery may be obtained for an additional
fee. This return receipt will be mailed back
to you after your mail has been delivered.
Registered
Mail - Registered mail offers the most
secure protection against loss or damage of
valuable mail. You receive a receipt indicating
proof of mailing. Also, a receipt providing
for proof of delivery can be requested at additional
cost. The handling of the mail is closely controlled
from the point of acceptance to delivery. This
service is best for irreplaceable items having
a high value. Parcels must have all seams taped,
using paper tape. Scotch ®,
masking and filament (clear) tapes are NOT
acceptable on registered parcels.
Express Mail
- Express mail service is the most expensive
type of mailing offered by the U.S. Postal Service
and should be used only in emergency situations.
This type of mail service provides overnight
delivery, a postage refund guarantee, insurance
and a receipt showing proof of mailing. Since
express mail service is not available in every
city, we suggest that you contact the USA Post
Office to find out if the addressee's area qualifies
for this service. Departmental Express Mail
MUST be in the campus post office by
3:00 p.m. to meet the dispatch requirements.
Insured Mail
- This service provides payment for loss or
damage to Standard Mail (A) and fourth-class
mail or first-class or priority mail containing
Standard (A) or fourth-class matter. The maximum
liability for insured mail is $5,000. A return
receipt may be requested to show written evidence
of delivery, for articles insured over $50.
Items requiring insurance exceeding $5,000 must
be sent as registered mail.
Business Reply
Mail - Departments can provide their
correspondents with return reply cards or envelopes
which the correspondents can return without
paying postage. A requisition for printing of
business reply mail must be forwarded to the
Office of Publication Services well in advance
of the mailing date. The Office of Publication
Services will imprint envelopes or cards with
the appropriate permit and other U.S. Postal
Service requirements. Business reply mail should
always be used for large return mailings for
which the department expects replies, such as
questionnaires. The important advantage to departments
is that they pay postage only on the replies
which are returned.
Delivery Confirmation
- This service provides a tracking number for
parcels and priority mail.
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