Media Mail is an economical way to send books, film, manuscripts, and digitally readable material such as DVDs and CDs, so long as they are not commercial mailings. Please ask about Media Mail when shipping these items if the Central Services staff does not offer this cost-saving service.

This provides you with a mailing receipt. A record of delivery is maintained at the recipient’s post office for two years.  A return receipt to provide you proof of delivery can be obtained for an additional fee. Certified mail service is available only for use with First Class Mail. No insurance coverage is provided. A numbered label and completed “Return Receipt” must be filed and affixed to each letter. Labels and Return Receipts can be obtained from Central Services.

Except for certain restrictions, most items can be mailed  to foreign countries. Please contact Central Services to determine specific classification and required documentation. If customs regulations are not followed and documentation is not proper, items may be impounded by foreign customs. Domestic and foreign customs regulations do not offer special concessions to any specific courier. Thus, irrespective of the carrier used, you must comply with the local customs regulations.

For letter-sized items, use the special Tyvek® Red/Blue-bordered envelopes. This will enhance service and expedite their separation from Domestic mail during sorting by mail houses. The last line of any foreign address should be the country name spelled out in capital letters in English.

Priority Mail service should be used for First Class mail requiring expedited delivery within three days. All First Class mail exceeding 11 ounces but not exceeding 70 pounds is automatically considered “Priority Mail.” However, there is no minimum weight limitation and at the option of the mailer, any mail weighing less than 11 ounces can also be processed as Priority Mail. Priority Mail is normally delivered within two to three business days, but this is not a guaranteed service. 

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 (including identical copies prepared by automatic typewriter), originals or carbons, invoices (except when accompanying the matter to which they relate), postal cards, post cards
• Matter sealed against postal inspection
• Bills and statements of account
• Forms with written figures charging items or prices
• Blank printed forms filled out in writing, including canceled or un-canceled checks

A computer printout may or may not be determined for First Class mail depending upon its content. Please contact Central Services for additional information.

This is an extremely reliable and fast delivery service from the USPS. This service is available for all major zones in the U.S. and 84 foreign countries. Express Mail provides for shipment of letters, documents, and other mailable items, and carries document reconstruction insurance at no additional cost. You may mail up to 70 pounds. This service offers next-day domestic delivery six days a week at no extra charge in most areas some may be 2 days.

Express mail offers a variety of other service options to meet your mailing needs. The options are:

• Delivery to Post Office Box
• Express Mail International Service

Mail requiring this service must be delivered to Central Services by 3:00 pm to make that day’s mailing. A proper request note must accompany each piece.

Domestic Overnight Delivery is guaranteed by the U.S. Postal Service and provides for a full refund of postage amount if the mail is not delivered as scheduled. International delivery times may vary by country of destination. Due to lack of Postal Services’ control over international situations and foreign delivery systems, no guaranty or refund of fees is offered.